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Journal Article 2015; 36(Suppl 2): 48-53 PubMed PMID: 26748527 Citation  Keywords:  Adult, Czech Republic, Emigrants and Immigrants:statistics & numerical data, Female, Hospitalization:statistics & numerical data, Humans, Insurance, Health:statistics & numerical data, Male, Middle Aged, Patient Acceptance of Health Care:ethnology, Young .   

OBJECTIVE: This investigation examined to what extent a selected group of immigrants in the Czech Republic receive healthcare for primary prevention and inpatient care. A partial aim of the research was to confirm the connection between immigrant health and their social situation.r />r /> METHODS: Using a quantitative study technique, 1,014 legally established immigrants (Vietnamese, Polish, Ukrainian, Russian, and Slovak) between 18-65 years of age were interviewed. The selection of respondents was conducted using purposive selection. The stratification of the group was determined by nationality, age, and gender.r />r /> RESULTS: Long-term illnesses were found significantly more frequently among Ukrainian immigrants and less frequently among Vietnamese immigrants. About half of the respondents had visited a GP and dentist in the previous year and 11.5% of respondents had been hospitalized in inpatient departments. Most of the surveyed immigrants had public health insurance (77.9%), one-fifth had contractual health insurance (19.6%) and 2.5% did not have health insurance. In statistical terms, Vietnamese, Ukrainian, and Russian immigrants had commercial insurance more often than Polish and Slovak immigrants. The utilization of public health insurance and healthcare among immigrants grew significantly in correlation with length of residency. The use of GPs for preventive health care also grew in correlation with knowledge of the Czech language. We found that less than nine percent of immigrants reported needing hospitalization for an illness, but were not hospitalized.r />r /> CONCLUSION: Currently, immigration represents one of the most burning and sensitive global challenges. The outcome of this research clearly shows that improving immigrant Czech language skills and giving all legally established immigrants access to Czech public health insurance are important steps needed to increase access to healthcare for immigrants in the Czech Republic....

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Journal Article 2015; 36(Suppl 2): 43-47 PubMed PMID: 26748526 Citation  Keywords:  Adult, Czech Republic:ethnology, Emigrants and Immigrants:psychology, Female, Humans, Male, Prejudice:psychology, Social Class, Social Isolation, Vietnam:ethnology,.   

: This article deals with the issue of social exclusion of immigrants in the Czech Republic. A review of expert sources indicates that immigrants are most often excluded from the labour market, housing market, and in communication with institutions. These areas became the target of our research. We observed how they were affect by knowledge of the Czech language, length of residence and type of work performed. The study was conducted using quantitative research strategies, interviews, and a questionnaire, the clarity of which was ensured by a double translation. The research group consisted of immigrants, namely Vietnamese, Slovak, Russian, Ukrainian, and Polish nationalities, living in selected regions of the Czech Republic. Results showed that there were statistically significant differences among the immigrant groups. The Vietnamese were least satisfied with housing conditions; they often reported living in overcrowded apartments and dormitories, and saw little chance of changing their situation because of discrimination by landlords. With regard to Czech language skills, the greater difference between Czech and Vietnamese and the relative similarity between Czech and the other studied immigrant languages also played a role. As a result, this indicator also showed the greatest dissatisfaction among the Vietnamese. For employees, poor knowledge of Czech corresponds to lower socioeconomic status....

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Journal Article 2015; 36(Suppl 2): 35-42 PubMed PMID: 26748525 Citation  Keywords:  Adipose Tissue:physiology, Adult, Blood Pressure:physiology, Body Mass Index, Czech Republic:ethnology, Female, Humans, Male, Middle Aged, Obesity:ethnology, Overweight:ethnology, Roma:ethnology, Sex Factors, Waist Circumference:physiology,.   

OBJECTIVES: The objective of our correlation study was to compare selected indicators of overweight and obesity of Roma and non-Roma (majority) populations in the South Bohemia Region or the Czech Republic.r />r /> METHODS: The following indicators were chosen for evaluation of overweight and obesity: body height and weight, waistline measurement, waist/height index, waist/hips index, BMI, total fat and blood pressure. 600 participants were examined and interviewed in total, including 302 Roma and 298 non-Roma participants. Each of the participants had a personal examination performed by a general nurse, under hygienic-epidemiological conditions. The criteria for inclusion of participants into the study were consent with examination and age greater than 18 years.r />r /> RESULTS: The statistical analysis showed that, at a level of significance of p < 0.001, the following values differed between the Roma and non-Roma population of the South Bohemia Region: waist/height index, waistline, total fat, body mass index (BMI), systolic and diastolic blood pressure. Differences in the incidence of the waist/hips index were significant at p < 0.01. Correlations of incidence with indicators of overweight and obesity in Roma were registered in relation to both age and gender of participants. The results show that overweight and obesity indicators were recorded more frequently in Roma female respondents. Although the results are unique, the conclusions cannot be generalized for Roma throughout the Czech Republic.r />r /> CONCLUSION: The conclusions of the above findings will be implemented in strategic materials for community planning in the South Bohemia Region. The goal will be to offer services aimed at supporting a healthy life style for Roma living in the South Bohemia Region of the Czech Republic....

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Journal Article 2015; 36(Suppl 2): 29-34 PubMed PMID: 26748524 Citation  Keywords:  Adult, Body Mass Index, Cardiovascular Diseases:ethnology, Czech Republic:ethnology, Female, Humans, Life Style:ethnology, Male, Middle Aged, Minority Groups, Roma:ethnology,.   

rong>OBJECTIVE:rong> At present, health characteristics of Roma minority within the Czech Republic are generally unknown. Therefore we examined a Roma population for some anthropometrical, biochemical and genetic parameters.r />r /> rong>DESIGN:rong> Groups include Roma aged above 18 years (men, women), with permanent residence in the South Bohemia Region. The Roma group (302 individuals) was selected using the snowball sampling method--the same method was used to select the non-Roma control group (78 individuals) for total cholesterol and blood sugar reference values. The main non-Roma control group was selected using the quota selection method (298 individuals). All participants completed a life style questionnaire, had their body measurements taken, were weighed, had their blood pressure and heart rates measured, had a capillary blood sample taken.r />r /> rong>RESULTS:rong> The non-Roma population had a lower Body Mass Index (BMI) (25.86 ± 4.23 vs. 27.45 ± 6.48 kg/m², p = 0.0004). The difference in BMI and weight was found to be associated with the MC4R gene. The values of systolic and diastolic blood pressure, total cholesterol, blood sugar did not differ with regard to the tested polymorphisms. We did not find any difference in the prevalence of MC4R or TMEM18 between groups.r />r /> rong>CONCLUSION:rong> Despite educational efforts to introduce healthier life styles into the Roma population, there has been only limited success; as a result, Roma are very likely to suffer from premature complications of atherosclerotic processes, mostly due to theirs life style. Intensive further research is needed to improve the health conditions of the Roma minority, while still respecting their cultural differences.

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Journal Article 2015; 36(Suppl 2): 23-28 PubMed PMID: 26748523 Citation  Keywords:  Accidental Falls:prevention & control, Adult, Czech Republic, Female, Health Care Surveys, Hospitals:standards, Humans, Inpatients, Middle Aged, Nursing Staff, Hospital, Patient Safety:standards,.   

THEORY: The prevention of patient falls is one of the safety goals set forth by the Ministry of Health of the Czech Republic.r />r /> GOAL: A sociological survey was carried out to (1) determine to what extent nurses identify the risk of patient falls at admission, (2) if the risk is reassessed and at what intervals, (3) what preventive measures were taken, and (4) in what way are patient falls reported.r />r /> METHODOLOGY: A representative sample consisting of general nurses working shifts on inpatient wards at hospitals in the Czech Republic was surveyed. Altogether 772 nurses took part in the study.r />r /> RESULTS: The survey showed that at admission, most nurses assessed the risk of falls (91.6%). Nonetheless, it should stand as a stark warning that nearly one fifth of the respondents (16.2%) did not reassess the risk of falls after admission! On the other hand, it can be perceived as a positive that most nurses (70.1%) use a multifaceted program of preventive measures for at risk patients and immediately reported fall events to the doctor in charge (71.4%). During statistical testing, the predication that a working atmosphere supporting a culture of patient safety would significantly decrease the probability of patient falls and increases the willingness of nurses to use preventive programs in daily practice.r />r /> CONCLUSION: Results from the survey showed that a system to minimalize fall risks has been successfully introduced into the hospitals of the Czech Republic. The system is based on the recommendations of the Ministry of Health of the Czech Republic....

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Journal Article 2015; 36(Suppl 2): 17-22 PubMed PMID: 26748522 Citation  Keywords:  Adult, Czech Republic, Female, Health Care Surveys:statistics & numerical data, Humans, Medical Errors:statistics & numerical data, Middle Aged, Nurses:standards, Nursing Staff, Hospital:standards, Patient Safety:standards,.   

GOAL: The goal of the study was to assess the opinions of nurses regarding patient safety associated with patient misidentification. The investigation was focused on actual patient misidentification as well as loss of patient materials (e.g., blood samples, X-rays, etc.). These are problems often associated with patient identification methods and/or confusing patients with the same surname assigned to the same ward. The risks of misidentification incidents pose a considerable threat to patient health especially when the confusion extends to the operating room. Our objective was to identify the potential causes of patient misidentification and offers solutions to correct the issue.r />r /> METHODS: A survey as part of a sociological investigation was carried out through the use of questionnaires. The selected sample included, in accordance with the needs of the project and methodology of the Institute for Health Care Information and Statistics of the Czech Republic, registered nurses working shifts on inpatient wards. The study took place across the Czech Republic between Sept. 15 and 30, 2013. The sample consisted of 772 registered nurses.r />r /> RESULTS: The potential for patient misidentification (PM) was described as negligible by 73.8% of respondents. Only 9.1% of nurses admitted problems associated with patient misidentification. Respondents reported that the greatest potential for patient misidentification was associated with patients having the same surname staying on the same ward. An absolute majority of nurses responded that patient identification wristbands were the most frequently used method to prevent PM. Over 90% (90.6%) of nurses reported that patient ID wristbands were used for all patients. Almost 80% (77.4%) reported the use of positive verbal identification in addition to ID wrist bands. Respondents reported (76.2%) that the most frequently used method to avoid PM in the operating room involved a review of patient documentation. Almost the same number of repondents (74.1%) reported the use of verbal confirmation as a method to avoid PM. Another mechanism included verification of the surgical procedure. ID wristbands and completion of an 'identification protocol' rank among other options mentioned most frequently by respondents.r />r /> CONCLUSION: The study shows that registered nurses regard patient misidentification as a very rare and unlikely event. Nonetheless, statistics suggest otherwise and education, changes in protocols, and new technologies are needed to improve the precision of patient identification....

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Journal Article 2015; 36(Suppl 2): 11-16 PubMed PMID: 26748521 Citation  Keywords:  Adult, Attitude of Health Personnel, Czech Republic, Female, Hospitals:standards, Humans, Middle Aged, Nursing Staff, Hospital:statistics & numerical data, Organizational Culture, Patient Safety:standards,.   

THEORETICAL BACKGROUND: Patient safety is a strategic goal of managers of all health care facilities in the Czech Republic. The development of a safety culture in the facility helps to ensure high quality health care. GOAL OF THE SURVEY was to assess the safety culture with regard to patient safety and team cooperation. A partial goal was to confirm the hypothesis that team cooperation among health care staff significantly influences patient safety.r />r /> METHODOLOGY: 772 nurses took part in a quantitative survey. The respondents were nurses working shifts in inpatient departments of hospitals in the Czech Republic.r />r /> RESULTS: Patient safety was described as excellent by 17.5% of nurses. It is described as very good by 60.2% of nurses and described as acceptable by 20.5% nurses. 78% of respondents agreed with the statement that patient safety was never neglected at the expense of increased workload. More than 10% of nurses reported that there were problems with patient safety. 19.8% of respondents were reported that efforts to prevent errors were not practiced at their clinic, and, therefore, and only chance had prevent more errors from occurring. According to 64.9% of respondents, the staff on the wards supported each other and a similar number of respondents reported that they showed respect for each other (60.2%). Respondents reported that intra-ward support increased the degree of patient safety.r />r /> CONCLUSION: Results from the survey show that team cooperation is a precondition for providing safe patient care, which cannot be underestimated and must be refined and improved through good hospital management....

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Journal Article 2015; 36(Suppl 2): 5-10 PubMed PMID: 26748520 Citation  Keywords:  Adult, Czech Republic:ethnology, Female, Health Knowledge, Attitudes, Practice:ethnology, Humans, Male, Obesity:ethnology, Overweight:ethnology, Roma:ethnology, Self Care,.   

rong>OBJECTIVES:rong> The aim of this research into 'self-management' was to determine to what extent respondents were aware of their status as overweight or obese. For respondents who indicated that they were overweight or obese, the goal was to determine whether they tried to lose weight, what steps they took to control their, and what specific methods they used.r />r /> rong>METHODS:rong> Information was collected using semi-structured interviews from May 31, 2014, to January 30, 2015. Data processing was performed using statistical analysis of the social data SASDM 01/04/10 software. The total study group consisted of 600 respondents, including 302 from the Roma minority, and 298 from the non-Roma majority population (control group). Respondents were selected specifically from South Bohemia Region of the Czech Republic. The sample from the Roma minority was constructed using the snowball method (Snowball Sampling). The control sample of non-Roma was selected through quota sampling.r />r /> rong>RESULTS:rong> The results indicate that the respondents from both the Roma minority and the non-Roma control group generally recognized when they were overweight or obese, or they were aware of it to a much lesser extent than objective indicators revealed. More than two thirds of the respondents who admitted they were overweight or obese (N = 143) reported that they had suffered from overweight or obesity since they were young adults. Significantly more members of the majority population had tried to lose weight using self-management, whereas the level of effort was significantly less among members of the Roma minority (P = 0). Nevertheless, Roma respondents significantly more often reported (P < 0.01) that they had agreed on a specific weight loss plan with a doctor.r />r /> rong>CONCLUSION:rong> The results of our research show that in the context of prevention, it is important to promote self-managed skills, habits and other characteristics that can play an important role in the prevention and treatment of obesity and overweight.

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