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Background. Pregnancy is a very sensitive period for a woman and her environment. Technological progress allows women to exercise greater self-control over their health and expands the possibilities of obtaining information about pregnancy, but at present little research focuses on how and why women use mobile applications during pregnancy. Objectives. The aim of the study was to determine the profile of the use of mobile applications monitoring the course of pregnancy and its predictors among pregnant women. Material and methods. A cross-sectional study was conducted in 2022 using the CAWI method and responses were obtained by sharing a link to the survey in pregnancy groups on Facebook. The research used the author’s questionnaire, the Satisfaction with Life Scale, the Multidimensional Social Support Scale, and the Security Experience Questionnaire. Results. 1,077 pregnant women participated in the study, 1,002 of whom used and 75 of whom did not use medical applications monitoring the course of pregnancy. Most of the surveyed women were aged 26–35 and were in their first pregnancy and in the third trimester. On the SWLS scale, women represented a moderate level of life satisfaction (23.85 ± 5.28). The average score on the MSPSS scale was 69.13 ± 12.62, with women receiving the most support from a significant other (25.35 ± 4.1). Conclusions. The probability of using mobile applications by women increased with the presence of comorbidities, treating pregnancy as a stressor, a higher score on the subscale of feeling and reflection on safety and among women aged 26–35. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Introduction. The continuous dynamic development of medical applications creates new opportunities in perinatal care that need to be analyzed and continuously updated. Special attention should be paid to how their use affects the condition of pregnant women and their families. Aim. The aim of the study was to determine the differences in the sense of security and social support, and life satisfaction between pregnant women using and not using medical applications. Material and methods. Cross-sectional studies using the CAWI method were conducted in March 2022. The research used an original questionnaire The Satisfaction With Life Scale, The Multidimensional Scale of Perceived Social Support, and the Security Experience Questionnaire. Results. A total number of 1077 pregnant women participated in the study, 1002 of whom used and 75 did not use medical applications monitoring the course of pregnancy. Most of the surveyed women were aged 26-35, and were in their first pregnancy and in the third trimester. The most frequently cited reasons for using the application were pictures showing the fetus size and monitoring the baby condition, while the reason for not using the application was considering it a waste of time. Conclusions. Women using mobile applications were characterized by higher scores on life satisfaction, sense of security, and social support. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: Cultural competencies are known as a multidimensionalconstruct; however, they usually refer to an individual's sensitivity orcultural attitudes, cultural awareness, knowledge, and skills. Aim: The aim of the study was to compare the cultural competences of nurses in Poland and Lithuania based on an adaptation of the Nurse Cultural Competence Scale (NCCS). Design: The design was a comparative cross‐sectional study. Methods: A total of 383 Polish nurses and 184 Lithuanian nurses took part in the study. The questionnaires of the NCCS—Polish version (NCCS‐v.PL) and the NCCS—Lithuanian version (NCCS‐v.L) were used after linguistic adaptation and an evaluation of psychometric properties. Results: As a result of the comparative analysis, a higher general level of cultural competences (based on the NCCS) was found in the Lithuanian group M‐148.09 (SD = 22.85). The results show statistically significant differences among the respondents in the subscale of Nurse Cultural Competence Scale‐Cultural Knowledge (NCCS‐CK; p ˂ 0.001); higher competences of the nurses were found in the Group LT (M = 31.05; SD = 6.75) than in the Group PL (M = 28.82; SD = 7.82). In the group of Polish nurses (Group PL), the intensity of cultural competences was found to increase along with age (NCCS‐v.P r = 0.157, p < 0.05); this, however, was not observed in the Group LT (NCCS‐v.LT, p > 0.05). Conclusions: Both the nurses in Poland and in Lithuania are characterised by an average level of cultural competences. Diversity in the level of cultural competences was found in both groups depending on age, education and work experience. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Aim: The aim of our study was to assess the level of social competencies among primary health care nurses, and to identify the work‐related determinants. Background: Developing social skills of nurses are necessary to establish better relations with patients. Improving these skills allows for higher quality of patient care, as well as patient and nurse satisfaction. Methods: For the study, 253 primary health care centres were randomly chosen in the Eastern Poland; 600 questionnaires were sent to the nurses employed in these facilities. After checking whether the data met the requirements, 446 nurses took part in the survey. The data were collected using the Social Competencies Profile, the Copenhagen Psychosocial Questionnaire, and the catalogue of primary health care nurse activities. Results: Older nurses possess lower level of social skills (r = −0.10, p = 0.04). Postgraduate education in the last 2 years differentiated the results of social competencies (p = 0.03) as well as place of residence in the subscale community awareness (p = 0.04). The predictors of social skills among psychosocial work conditions were as follows: Influence at Work (p = 0.02), Possibilities for Development (p < 0.001), Meaning of Work (p < 0.001), Social Support (p = 0.001), Quality of Leadership (p = 0.03), Job Satisfaction (p < 0.001), and General Health (p = 0.001). On the other hand, tasks like Activities in the treatment room (p = 0.003) and Promotion and prevention (p < 0.001) carried out by a nurse anticipated higher level of social skills. Conclusions: The results of the research proved that work‐related factors such as influence at work, professional development, sense of social support, understanding of the meaning of work, perception of the quality of leadership, and higher job satisfaction influence the development of social competencies of nurses; therefore, shaping an appropriate work environment is an important task, especially for leaders and managers of nursing. Implications for Nursing Management: We recommend that nursing leaders and health policy makers adopt new strategies and educational programs, which include social skills training as part of the curriculum for the development of the social competencies of nurses. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background. The results of the European Health Interview Surveys, performed in 2014, has indicated that every fourth child in Poland has long-term health problems or chronic diseases. Objectives. Diagnosis and comparison of the most common health problems occurring among children attending primary and middle school. Material and methods. The study has an epidemiological cross-sectional character, and it is concerned with health problems in the Lublin primary and middle school population. The source of data was secondary materials derived from the statistical reporting documentation “Collective analysis of students' health status”, covering the years 2010-2015 and conducted by a nurse of the teaching and learning environment under contract with the National Health Fund. Results. Health problems were diagnosed in 44.3% (n = 846) of primary school students and 50.6% (n = 804) of middle school students. Excessive body weight and endocrine disorders and eye diseases are significantly more common in the middle school students than in primary school children (p < 0.001). In contrast, younger children are more likely to be diagnosed with hearing and speech disorders (p < 0.001) and increased incidence of injuries (p < 0.05). Conclusions. The frequency of health disorders increases with the age of the students. The predominant health problem among both primary school and middle school students is defects and diseases of the motor organs. The most common chronic diseases diagnosed among school children are allergic diseases. Accidents and injuries are the most common health risks to the developmental age population. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Aim. This paper is a report of an evaluation of paediatric nurses' assessment and diagnostic skills and interventions used for child maltreatment. Background. The use of violence against children occurs in all environments worldwide. Therefore, broader theoretical and practical knowledge related to this issue is needed in health care to facilitate more accurate identification of child maltreatment in order to instigate implementation of appropriate care for these children. Methods. The study was based on cross-sectional data obtained with a convenience sample of 160 Registered Nurses employed at paediatric wards at two large cities in Poland (response rate 80%). Data collection took place between December 2005 and March 2006. The research tool was a questionnaire form designed on the basis of international literature concerning battered child syndrome. Results. Battered child syndrome seems to be a relatively common phenomenon, as a great majority of participants (86.25%) had encountered it in their practice. The form of child maltreatment which was most often mentioned (by 30.00% of participants) was neglect. Almost three-quarters of the nurses (61.25%; n = 98) said that they had been involved in providing care for a maltreated child. Conclusion. Nurses should work with maltreated children on an individualized basis, combined with interdisciplinary cooperation with specialists from related disciplines concerned with the issue. There appears to be a need for specialized training for nurses to increase their competence in working with maltreated children and their families. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]