Introduction: Obesity has been associated with a higher risk of morbidity, disability, and death. The objective of this study was to assess the prevalence of obesity and chosen non-communicable diseases (NCDs) in the PURE Poland cohort study. Material and Methods: The study covers a group of 2035 people (1281 women and 754 men), who live in urban and rural areas of Lower Silesian voivodeship. The baseline study was conducted between 2007–2010. The data on demographic status and history of diseases were collected using questionnaires. The anthropometric parameters, blood pressure, blood lipids, and glucose level were measured. Results: Normal body weight was observed in 28.1% of participants, whereas overweight and obesity were observed in 40.1% and 31.1% of participants, respectively. Moreover, there was a significant difference in the body weight between genders. Prevalence of obesity was similar in men and women (31.0% and 31.1%, respectively). Obesity was more prevalent in rural vs. urban residents (38.5% and 26.0%, respectively). In a logistic regression analysis, the odds for obesity was two-fold higher in participants aged >64 years and rural inhabitants (OR 1.91; 95% CI 1.36–2.70; OR 1.79; 95% CI 1.48–2.16, respectively). Participants with obesity had 2.5-fold higher odds for diabetes and hypertension and two-fold higher odds for CHD in comparison with non-obese individuals (OR 2.74; 95% CI 2.01–3.73, OR 2.54; 95% CI 2.03–3.17, OR 1.88; 95% CI 1.26–2.80, respectively). Conclusions: Taken together, the prevalence of obesity was associated with particular socio-demographic factors (age, place of residence, and level of education) as well as diabetes, hypertension, and coronary heart disease.

BackgroundTobacco smoking is one of the most serious modern civilization threats. According to WHO identifying patterns of tobacco use is essential for implementing effective preventive policies. The aim of the paper was to assess changes in smoking patterns among the PURE study population over 6 years.MethodsThe study sample comprised of 1784 adult participants from PURE Poland study, who were assessed at baseline (2007–2010) and then at 6-year follow-up. Participants were classified into current smokers, ex-smokers and never smokers. Smoking patterns were analyzed according to sex, age/birth cohort, place of residence (urban vs rural setting), and education level.ResultsOverall, a significant decrease of 3.1% in current smokers was observed (from 20.0% in baseline to 16.9 at follow-up). However, 0.8% of never smokers and 6.2% of ex-smokers at baseline were classified as current smokers at 6-year follow-up. Despite overall decrease in percentage of current smokers in both rural and urban area, in fact significantly more ex-smokers from rural area became current smokers after 6 years. Living in the rural area was associated with nearly two-fold increase in current smoking, and almost two-fold decline in chances to quit smoking. The highest percentage of current smokers was observed in birth year cohort 1961–1979.ConclusionDespite a small but significant decline in overall smoking rates, important differences in smoking and quitting patterns emerged between rural and urban areas, as well as sexes. A less favorable smoking patterns were observed among women, and rural populations, suggesting that these are important targets of future tobacco control interventions in Poland.

Poland is among the European countries currently facing the second wave of the SARS-CoV-2 pandemic. A lot of studies confirm the mortality rate of COVID-19 increases with age. Considering the particularly adverse outcomes of a SARS-CoV-2 infection, preventing infections should be the priority for public health professionals. One method for preventing SARS-CoV-2 infections among eldery people may involve implementing procedures for limiting the spread of the pathogen, and providing education to medical staff, so as to bridge any gaps in knowledge on virus spread and post-infection or post-exposure management. Three residential medical centers in Poland were selected for evaluation of existing medical procedures to identify any errors in the current procedures applied for the prevention of SARS-CoV-2 spread in the facility. The project involved 4 steps: (1) Audit of the existing medical procedures; (2) Knowledge evaluation for the staff (n=185) in the senior- and disabled care facilities, administration of a knowledge test developed by the authors to assess knowledge on SARS-CoV-2 prevention; (3) Training for medical staff; (4) Updates and implementation of procedures. The knowledge test conducted revealed a lack of knowledge of medical personnel about SARS-CoV-2. The deficiencies of the surveyed group varied depending on the place of employment. Almost half of the surveyed medical centers (center No. 1 (52%) vs. center No. 2 (44%) vs. center No. 3(59%)) believed that elderly people usually do not show symptoms of SARS-CoV-2 infection. In the facility No. 1, 70% of respondents did know that SARS-CoV-2 can be transmitted via the alimentary route compared to center No. 2 and No. 3 where knowledge about it showed only 28,9% and 24,8% responders, respectively. Also, in facility No. 1, the least among the studied group (67%) knew that people with comorbidities were at risk of covid-19 compared to respondents from facility No. 2 and 3, where, respectively, 100% and 93% had such knowledge. Only 33.3% of the staff of facility No. 1 knew how to deal with a patient who will present symptoms such as temp >38 degrees with coughing or dyspnea while in institution No. 2 and 3, this knowledge was slightly higher at 44% and 60% respectively. The audit of the existing hygiene procedures used to limit the risk of SARS-CoV-2 spread demonstrated a number of shortcomings. Employees at the residential medical care centers included in the study had gaps in knowledge on the spread of SARS-CoV-2. The training sessions implemented at the next stage improved knowledge on SARS-CoV-2 infections. Additionally, decisions were made to modify certain procedures and introduce new ones to better prevent the spread of SARS-CoV-2.

A -study Design, B -Data Collection, C -statistical analysis, D -Data interpretation, E -manuscript Preparation, F -Literature search, G -Funds Collection Background. Polish society is characterized with low physical activity. medical university students, as future doctors, should not only understand the importance of physical activity, but also do all they can to actively propagate it. Objectives. the aim of conducted research was to assess the level of physical activity among students of the final study year of medical and Dentistry Faculties of wroclaw medical university. Material and methods. study group included 211 people. in term of age and gender students of both faculties were a homogenous group. the study was conducted in summer term of 2011/2012 academic year, auditory method, ensuring anonymity. the study tool was international Questioner of Physical activity (iPaQ) -long form. based on mets values the authors distinguished three levels of total physical activity -intense, moderate and low. Results. the level of students' physical activity is comparable between the faculties with slightly higher values for students of Dentistry Faculty. Distributions of three levels of physical activity were similar between the faculties. Conclusions. the present study showed a need of health promotion in contests of physical activity among students of both faculties. the lowest activity of them (both male and female) is in the domain of work-related, during academic year. it creates a need for modifications of the study curriculum by adding additional sport classes and promoting attitudes of undertaking physical activity during other than study related activities. Key words: physical activity, iPaQ, students, medical university.Wstęp. Polskie społeczeństwo charakteryzuje niska aktywność fizyczna. studenci uniwersytetu medycznego jako przyszli lekarze powinni nie tylko rozumieć znaczenie aktywności fizycznej, ale również aktywnie ją propagować. Cel pracy. Celem przeprowadzonego badania była ocena poziomu aktywności fizycznej studentów ostatnich lat studiów na wydziałach: Lekarskim oraz Lekarsko-stomatologicznym uniwersytetu medycznego we wrocławiu. Materiał i metody. grupę badawczą stanowiło 211 osób. na obu wydziałach nie zaobserwowano różnic pod względem płci i wieku. badanie było przeprowadzone w semestrze letnim roku akademickiego 2011/2012 metodą ankietową z zachowaniem anonimowości. narzędzie badawcze stanowił międzynarodowy kwestionariusz aktywności Fizycznej (iPaQ) -forma długa, w którym pytaliśmy o aktywność w czasie: pracy, pobytu w domu, w czasie wolnym, w trakcie przemieszczania się na podstawie wartości mets określiliśmy trzy poziomy całkowitej aktywności fizycznej -intensywną, umiarkowaną i niską. Wyniki. Poziom aktywności fizycznej studentów na obu wydziałach jest zbliżony z nieznacznie wyższymi wartościami dla studentów wydziału Lekarsko-stomatologicznego. rozkład trzech poziomów aktywności jest podobny dla obu wydziałów. Wnioski. badanie wykazało potrzebę promowania aktywności fizycznej wśród student...

No abstract