State & Society

Introduction: In the context of intensified globalization and increased population mobility, professional communities are becoming increasingly diverse in terms of culture, language, and generation. The aim of this study was to assess the level of cultural intelligence among nurses from different generational cohorts, considering their sociodemographic characteristics.
Material and methods: The study included 463 nurses from southeastern Poland. The Polish version of the Cultural Intelligence Scale (CQS) was employed. The data were analyzed using statistical methods.
Results: The overall level of cultural intelligence averaged 4.25. The highest-scoring dimension was the metacognitive component (4.65), while the cognitive dimension scored the lowest (3.86).
Conclusions: Nurses demonstrated a moderate level of cultural intelligence. This level was significantly influenced by variables such as place of residence, religion, age, years of professional experience, and education level.

Introduction: Nursing staff make up the largest group in the healthcare system. Professional work is associated with factors that may negatively affect this group’s physical and mental health. This results in improper health behaviours, including addictions, lack of physical activity and inappropriate diet, which may result in the development of cardiovascular diseases. The study aimed to assess the health behaviours of nurses, taking into account the risk of cardiovascular disease (CD).
Material and methods: The study was conducted among 154 nurses, both female and male. It used a questionnaire with original questions, the Health Behavior Inventory (IZZ), and the Athens Insomnia Scale (AIS). An original questionnaire was developed to assess the risk of CD.
Results: The results of our research showed that more than half of the respondents (61.04%) were at medium and high risk of CD. The average result of the IZZ score was 76.58 points (low results). In the health behaviour category subscales, the respondents received the highest average scores for proper eating habits (3.3) and positive mental attitudes (3.3). The respondents obtained the lowest scores in the health practices category (3.0). The predictor that increased the cardiovascular risk was the age of the respondents (31 to 40 years). The predictors that reduced the risk of S-N were higher education and a higher level of the general IZZ index.
Conclusions: The fact that more than half of the respondents (61.04%) fit into the category of medium and high risk of cardiovascular disease is alarming. This result indicates not only the need to take seriously the risks associated with this professional group, but also the need to introduce interventions aimed at promoting health and prevention among nurses. Also, low results of the level of health behaviours suggest that nursing staff require more attention in the field of health interventions and access to resources that promote a healthy lifestyle.

Introduction: An appropriate dose of solar radiation has a beneficial effect on health by stimulating the immune system, reducing the risk of autoimmune diseases and cancer. However, despite the increasing number of social campaigns regarding sunburn, it still constitutes a serious health problem, both due to the frequency of occurrence and the risk of serious complications. The aim of this study was to determine the scope of preventive behaviours undertaken to counteract sunburn by primary and secondary school students.
Materials and methods: The study involved 224 people, of whom 83.48% (n = 187) were female. An original questionnaire consisting of sociodemographic questions and questions regarding the prevention of sunburn was used. The study was voluntary and anonymous. The program Statistica v.13.1 was used to verify the statistical significance of the results obtained. A significance level of p < 0.05 was adopted. Results: As many as three-quarters of respondents spend their holidays at the seaside. In summer, young people spend two to four hours a day in the sun. Statistically, this form of relaxation is more often preferred by younger children. Over half of the respondents (58%) have suffered sunburn in their lives, and the part of the body that the respondents indicated as most often affected by sunburn was the back (60%). Only 47% of respondents always use protective creams with an ultraviolet (UV) filter. Most respondents (75.45%), when wearing sunglasses, do not choose those with a UV filter.
Conclusions: Schoolchildren do not follow some of the recommendations regarding sun protection. There is a need to educate society about the negative effects of excessive exposure to solar radiation.

ntroduction: Obstacle course racing (OCR) combines cross-country running with challenging obstacles, demanding high fitness levels and attracting those seeking physical exercise and skill development. Motivations for OCR vary based on individual factors. This study examines OCR participation motives and their relationship to selected sociodemographic factors.
Materials and Methods: Participants were recruited at mass OCR events and asked to complete a questionnaire. The sample included 144 individuals (53 women, 91 men) aged 18–70. The data collection involved sociodemographic questions and the MPAM-R scale to assess motivations.
Results: Fitness, Competence, and Enjoyment were the primary motivations, with Enjoyment being more significant for women. Financial stability and prior sports experience were key factors for participation.
Conclusions: The study concludes that OCR participants exhibit complex motivations, which highlights the need for further research on participation motives in OCRs. The results suggest that understanding these motives can enhance the development of OCR events and their promotion.

Introduction: Increased width of the rectus abdominis muscle (RMPB) with separation of the rectus abdominis muscles above the normal distance is defined as diastasis/diastasis recti (RMPB). This dysfunction affects both sexes of various ages, but its postpartum variant is most often described in the literature. Statistics indicate that up to 60% of women require physiotherapy after delivery. The aim of this study was to provide information on the width and thickness of the rectus abdominis muscle (LMB) and the simple application of various body positions in women in the late postpartum period and nulliparous women using rehabilitation ultrasound imaging.
Material and methods: Forty women aged 20 to 50 were invited to participate in the study. They were divided into two groups: a group of women at least one year postpartum and a control group of nulliparous women. The study consisted of four components: an interview, a postural assessment, a manual examination of the linea alba, and an ultrasound examination of the linea alba in various body positions.
Results: The study showed that higher mean values of the linea alba width were observed in the postpartum group. Measurements at rest were higher than during activity, and the change in body position to a standing position revealed an increase in the linea alba width above the umbilicus. All measurements of the linea alba width in the late postpartum and nulliparous groups demonstrated statistical significance at p < 0.05.Conclusions: The width of the linea alba, as assessed by rehabilitative ultrasound imaging (RUSI), is significantly greater above the umbilicus than below it in both postpartum and nulliparous women in all body positions examined, which may predispose to a higher incidence of hernias in this location. It is recommended that patients at particular risk of impaired linea alba function in the supine and standing positions should be examined.

Chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) significantly impairs health and worldwide is one of the leading causes of death. Proper diagnostics form the basis of a multidisciplinary therapeutic approach in this group of patients. The fundamental test in individuals with COPD is spirometry, which is complemented by measuring the lung diffusing capacity for carbon monoxide. Body plethysmography allows for the assessment of airway patency and lung volumes. Exercise capacity can also be evaluated using the six-minute walk test. The pulmonary function tests play an important role in diagnosing respiratory disorders, as well as in monitoring and assessing the effects of pharmacological therapy in obstructive diseases. The aim of this paper is to characterize the diagnostic methods used in chronic obstructive pulmonary disease.

This article describes the case of a 40-year-old patient who was diagnosed with an advanced recurrence of melanoma with the BRAF V600E mutation in the 30th week of pregnancy. Due to the patient’s condition, abnormalities in laboratory tests and the coexistence of chronic intravascular coagulation syndrome, it was decided to terminate the pregnancy in the 31st week by caesarean section. Due to the rapid progression of the disease, the patient died on the 25th day after the birth of a healthy baby.

Introduction and objective: Drug programs are a key instrument of reimbursement policy in Poland, enabling the public financing of innovative and high-cost therapies in strictly defined patient populations. The aim of this study was to analyze the financing of drug programs in Poland in 2016–2024 as an element of reimbursement and health policy.
Material and methods: A retrospective descriptive analysis of secondary data was conducted using the Minister of Health’s Reimbursement Notices and aggregated data from the System and Implementation Analyses Database. Changes in the scale of programs and the number of patients were assessed, as well as expenditures (medicines, services) and discrepancies between reported and settled amounts.
Results: In 2016–2024, the number of programs increased from 73 to 133, the number of active substances from 161 to 392, and the number of patients from 105.6 thousand to 302.1 thousand. Total costs rose from PLN 3,157 billion to PLN 12,547 billion; cost per patient increased from PLN 29,896 to PLN 41,533, and the share of service costs grew from 8.1% to 11.4%. In 2024, 95.37% of reported amounts were settled (a gap of PLN 613.8 million).
Conclusions: Financing of drug programs grew faster than treatment volume, and the increasing share of service costs indicates a greater role of diagnostics and monitoring. The widening reported–settled gap may threaten the liquidity of providers (hospitals) and requires systematic monitoring.