Children In Poland Research Articles

Are Teachers Working with Visually Impaired Children Prepared to Be Advocates of Oral Health? Pilot Study.

Children and adolescents with visual impairment are at increased risk of oral cavity diseases. Pro-health education in their prevention and the role of educators and school counselors are extremely important in this aspect. The aim of the study was to collect information, and compare and analyze the level of pro-health awareness in the field of oral health prevention among teachers working with visually impaired children in Poland and Slovakia. The questionnaire survey covered 109 school educators working with visually impaired children. The survey contained general information about participants concerning their knowledge of oral health, basic information about oral hygiene, and children's care needs in this area. The obtained results were statistically analyzed. The level of knowledge about oral health was assessed by the majority of respondents as rather good (60.56%), 28.44% as very good, and 11.01% as middling. Teaching children about oral hygiene at school was declared by a majority of them and over half of the correct answers were given by only 48.42% of the respondents. It is advisable to intensify the oral cavity diseases prevention training of teachers working with visually impaired children and youth and there is a great need to organize and carry out educational campaigns in schools for them.

Building awareness of the first aid among the primary school children in Poland – the effects of a training in practical chest compressions

Building awareness of the first aid among the primary school children in Poland – the effects of a training in practical chest compressions

SMA Therapy in Poland: New Hopes and Challenges

Abstract: Spinal muscular atrophy (SMA) is a genetically inherited disease whose symptoms appear in children at a fairly early age. The main cause of the disease is a mutation of the SMN1 gene, which causes the lack of production of SMN This results in the disappearance of motoneurons, which consequently leads to the disappearance of the patient's ability to move and his death. An important element of coping with the disease is its early detection in newborn screening, because the earlier we start the drug, the greater the chance that the patient will maintain motor efficiency. The article describes treatment options for children in Poland, i. e. the use of such drugs as Nusinersen, which increases the amount of SMN protein, gene therapy Onasemnogen aeparvovec, which increases the amount of SMN gene, Ridisplam, which increases the amount of SMN protein, and salbutamol, which helps patients to breathe. The article also provides information about new drug therapies for the treatment of SMA and the stage of clinical trials at which they are currently being developed. It is important to look for new solutions in the treatment of SMA.
 Objective: To familiarize the readers of the article with the problems of SMA treatment in Poland, as well as to broaden their knowledge of new available drugs for the treatment of this disease.

Adolescents' Perceptions and Attitudes towards Traditional and Electronic Cigarettes-Results of Focus Group Interviews.

There is general agreement among scholars and policymakers that efforts to reduce smoking and prevent nicotine use should be intensified and focused on the most vulnerable part of society-adolescents. Regardless of common knowledge about the health consequences of smoking, according to data from 2020, about 51% of children in Poland had their first contact with smoking at the age of 15 and older. The objective of this research is to investigate motivations to start smoking or vaping, patterns of using tobacco products, perceptions of smoking/vaping and smokers/vapers, as well as attitudes toward nicotine addiction. The broad aim is to reflect on youth perceptions of nicotine use. A qualitative approach has been applied, utilising focus-group interviews. The sample included six focus groups, consisting of smokers and non-smokers of both genders, situated in three different cities in Poland. The interviewees were adolescents ages 16-18, attending high schools, technical schools, or vocational education. Interviews were transcribed and further analysed using the thematic analysis approach. This research enhances previously reported results by revealing new insights into the strategies applied by adolescents to mitigate financial barriers arising from high costs of nicotine products, as well as highlighting methods used to avoid the traditional antismoking messages placed on packaging.

Feminized vaccine? Parents’ attitudes toward HPV vaccination of adolescents in Poland: A representative study

ABSTRACT In 2023, the process of gradually introducing universal, free HPV vaccination into the vaccination program for children in Poland began. For this reason, the attitudes of parents of adolescents toward these vaccinations were examined in this study. The survey was conducted among 360 parents of children (girls and boys) aged 9–15. To achieve the best possible representativeness of the sample, parents were selected for the survey using a random-quota method. The survey was carried out using the CATI. The surveyed parents declared a high level of knowledge about HPV and awareness of HPV vaccination (74.2% of parents had heard of HPV, and 61.4% had heard of the HPV vaccine). The study showed a statistically significant relationship between parents’ education and knowledge of HPV infection – the higher the parent’s (mother or father) education, the higher the declared knowledge. Education was also a statistically significant factor influencing the declaration of vaccinating a child against HPV. In addition to parental education, the gender of the child was also a significant factor influencing willingness to vaccinate against HPV. Parents of boys were significantly more likely – than parents of girls – to declare that they would not vaccinate their sons against HPV. A significant factor influencing declarations to vaccinate against HPV was the child’s vaccination against COVID-19. The study results indicate a strong correlation between parental education and parental knowledge and attitudes about HPV and the HPV vaccine.

Focus IBBY

Focus IBBY Carolina Ballester (bio) It has been a busy start of the year for IBBY. Preparation for the 2024 awards are underway, calls are being launched, and books are being sent and received to feed IBBY's great collections. Sadly, 2023 also brought moments of turmoil—a war still raging in Ukraine; civil unrest in Iran, Peru, and many more countries; and natural disasters in Anatolia and eastern Africa. Focus IBBY thus chooses to highlight various readingpromotion projects developed throughout our IBBY network. Yamada Fund The IBBY-Yamada fund has provided grants to projects aimed at promoting reading and access to books to children in all parts of the world since 2006. After two tumultuous years of the COVID-19 pandemic hampering the implementation of some projects, all the selected initiatives in 2022 managed to run as planned in Armenia, Cameroon, Cuba, France, Lebanon, Malaysia, Mongolia, Pakistan, Peru, and Zimbabwe. For 2023, the following projects have been granted funding. IBBY Argentina Primeros favoritos (First Favorites) Reading program through a literary competition where children ages four to six act as juries and evaluate books together with their teachers. IBBY Armenia Defenders of every child's right to become a reader: the great role of librarians in creating readers Workshop for librarians with foreign specialists. IBBY Cuba "Children, as soon as they can think, must think..." International workshop for reading promoters as part of the Leer el XXI regional conference. IBBY Haiti Reading programmes for displaced children Bibliotherapy with children from displaced families due to gang-related violence. IBBY Lebanon Library for refugees Renovation of a library and training in library practice and bibliotherapy for educators of the Jusoor center for Syrian children refugees in Lebanon. [End Page 81] IBBY Malaysia Literature Therapy for Malaysian Underprivileged Children Training workshop for teachers, volunteers, librarians, and social workers working with underprivileged children in Selangor (west coast) and Terengganu (east coast). IBBY Mongolia Building a network and increasing the capacity of children's reading promoters in Mongolia Creating awareness of children's reading and providing training to reading promoters, experienced or beginners. IBBY Nepal My environment, a clean environment Creating awareness among children of the proper management of waste plastic in urban areas through books. IBBY Zimbabwe Enhancing children's reading rights through drama Production of five audio and radio dramas to introduce local stories to children via community radio stations. Regular updates about the 2023 projects will be provided on the IBBY website. The projects supported by the Yamada Fund are developed by the IBBY National Sections, very often in close partnership with other local or international organizations. They are submitted to the IBBY Executive Committee once a year for approval upon the recommendation of its project subcommittee, which is currently formed by Sunjidmaa Jamba, Elena Pasoli, Doris Breitmoser, Ingrid Källström, and Denis Beznosov. IBBY Sections can apply for funding until July 15, 2023, for projects to be developed in 2024. Children in Crisis: New Projects and Ongoing Initiatives In the convulsed world we live in today, the number of projects embraced by the Children in Crisis Fund has increased. Designed to provide relief through books to children whose lives have been disrupted by wars, civil unrest, and natural disasters, the fund currently supports projects in Afghanistan, El Salvador, Lebanon, and Palestine and at the US-Mexico border, in addition to three new initiatives developed in the past twelve months. Books Give Refuge: Work with Ukrainian Refugee Children in Poland In March 2022, IBBY made an appeal to support the Fundacja Powszechnego Czytania (Universal Reading Foundation—URF), a Polish organization engaged in working with Ukrainian refugee children in Poland under the slogan #BooksGiveRefuge. Owing to individual donations and [End Page 82] solidarity from several IBBY National Sections, funds are being channeled toward this project via the Children in Crisis Fund. IBBY contacted Maria Deskur, CEO of the Universal Reading Foundation, to inquire about the latest developments of the project. Carolina Ballester (IBBY): How do you work on the ground with children and families of refugees? Maria Deskur (URF): With the outbreak of the war in Ukraine, the Universal Reading Foundation launched a fundraiser to donate books to traumatized children, as well...

Education of Children with a Refugee Background in Poland in the Situation of War in Ukraine. Outline of the Problems

In the context of the military conflict in Ukraine, since February 24, 2022, the Polish government has decided to include refugee children in the continuation and implementation of education in the Polish education system at various stages and levels of education. Educational institutions in Poland have faced the great challenge of accepting refugee children into the Polish education system. Due to the war situation, both children with a refugee background and their guardians (mothers), as well as teachers, were confronted with the reality that showed many aspects of education and the implementation of the didactic process in a situation hitherto unknown and unexpected. The article aims to provide a preliminary diagnosis of the education process of children with a refugee background from the perspective of teachers and institutional support. In addition, the analysis also attempted to assess the health and mental well-being of children with experience of war trauma. Critical reflection on the education process of refugee children in Poland is based on available reports and studies of quantitative and qualitative research carried out primarily by public institutions (Polish Ministry of Education and Science, UNHCR, Integrated Educational Platform) and the private sector (Centre for Citizenship Education 2022–2023).

Demographic Challenges in Poland Understanding Low Fertility

Research background: The phenomenon of low fertility in Poland is a vital subject of demographic analysis. In recent years, not only have there been changes in procreative and family models, but also in the age structure of society. This is particularly significant in the context of population ageing, which is becoming increasingly evident and brings numerous challenges such as increased burden on healthcare systems, a decrease in the active workforce, and the need to secure adequate retirement funds. Despite the desire to have children, many individuals refrain from making such a decision, and the reasons for this choice are diverse. Therefore, it was essential to conduct an analysis of the factors determining fertility in Poland, considering both the economic and social aspects. Understanding how the economic situation, labour market conditions, and changes in social structure impact on the decision-making process regarding childbearing is essential. Purpose of the paper: The objective of this article was to analyse fertility rates in Poland for the period 2004-2020. The conducted research identified the factors influencing the observed state of low generational replacement and determining their intensity. Methodology/Methods/Data sources: The data used in this article were sourced from the Central Statistical Office and covered the years 2004-2020. The study was based on literature concerning demography and econometrics. Three statistical methods were applied in the analysis of fertility in Poland: the Classical Method of Least Squares (CMLS) model, the Fixed Effects (FE) estimator, and the Random Effects (RE) estimator. Fertility analysis was conducted at regional level by dividing Poland into 16 administrative units (voivodeships). A panel model was employed for the analysis, and the results were subjected to Wald, Breusch-Pagan, and Hausman tests to compare the outcomes obtained from different models. Findings: The results of the analysis indicate that the economic situation and the labour market significantly influence the decision to have children in Poland. The trend of low fertility, although showing some increase, is still characteristic of the country compared to other EU nations. The analysis of the factors determining fertility is vital for understanding the decisions of young generations of Poles regarding parenthood.

Health System Barriers to Child Mandatory and Optional Vaccination among Ukrainian Migrants in Poland in the Context of MMR and HPV Vaccines-A Qualitative Study.

Background Migrants' access to healthcare services is limited. This study aimed to identify health system barriers to vaccination, specifically HPV/MMR vaccination among children in Ukrainian economic migrants (UMs). Methods Between December 2021-March 2022, a qualitative study of UMs living in Poland was conducted. Six focus groups were held with 53 UMs aged 15-45; in-depth interviews with 12 healthcare workers (HCWs) were also performed. A thematic analysis was conducted based on the six WHO health system building blocks. Results HCWs described gaps in integrating migrant status in accessible healthcare data which impeded active management of vaccination procedures. UMs reported that the digitization of healthcare services, intensified during the COVID-19 pandemic, reduced their access to primary care. Inadequate health information systems caused problems with the provision of credible vaccine information in translated forms, and language difficulties, experienced by both UMs and HCWs; this was enhanced by a lack of professional interpreting services. Although most UMs reported vaccinating children according to the Polish schedule, the variations in schedules across countries caused concern among UMs and increased HCWs' uncertainty about how to interpret vaccination cards, particularly in the context of possible false certificates. UMs were affected by discrimination through HCWs. HPV was deprioritized by UMs due to misconceptions about non-mandatory vaccinations; the cost was also a barrier. Conclusions The study findings have implications for migrant vaccination delivery targeting children in Poland, and other UMs receiving countries. A concerted effort is required to improve UM's awareness of the significance of vaccinations. Barriers to healthcare access must be recognized by policymakers. Importantly, removing the cost barrier may increase the uptake of the HPV vaccine among Ukrainian migrant adolescents.

Characteristics of breastfeeding by adoptive mothers: Description of the phenomenon in Poland and worldwide

The breastfeeding of adopted children is a rare phenomenon but one that deserves attention because of its potential benefits. The aim of this study was to gather information on the breastfeeding of adopted children in Poland and in other high-income countries and to identify its determinants. Milk banks, adoption centres and forums for breastfeeding mothers were surveyed. The research revealed a high level of interest in the issue among adoptive mothers and a simultaneous lack of information on the part of the employees of adoption centres and milk banks. The study concluded that: (1) adoptive mothers are interested in breastfeeding their adoptive children. They should therefore be equipped with the relevant knowledge and tools to enable them to try to breastfeed; (2) the prevalence of adoptive breastfeeding is similar in Poland and worldwide, but in other developed countries the necessary information is more widely available; (3) milk banks in Poland and around the world do not include adopted children among their beneficiaries; and (4) the idea of adoptive breastfeeding is not promoted by Polish adoption centres, so it is essential to start popularising it.

“Under the common roof”. Cultural adaptation of children from Ukraine in Poland. Case study

Russia's hostilities in Ukraine have caused a humanitarian crisis in Europe. The situation of the country's population has changed dramatically, many families with children have been forced to flee their homes, often outside the country. The article focuses on the problem of cultural adaptation of Ukrainian children in Poland. The issue raised constitutes a new area of scientific analysis. The presented text discusses the problem of research on the functioning of Ukrainian refugees in Poland. Its purpose is to determine how the process of cultural adaptation takes place in the family, peer and school environment of a Ukrainian child in Poland from the perspective of the experiences of Polish and Ukrainian families living together. A case study was used in the research. Empirical material was collected using the author's interview questionnaire. The results of the study describe the difficulties encountered by Ukrainian parents and their children in the host country. It was found that the process of cultural adaptation of refugee children from Ukraine is conditioned by various factors. The most important are the attitudes of the host society and the attitude of the local communities among which they now live. The family that has taken them under its roof is the first line of confrontation with the unknown social reality, cultural difference and mentality of Poles. It should be emphasized that this article raises an important part of the vast problem of the consequences of the war situation in Ukraine, thus it is an invitation for further discussion and research.

Validation of the Children's Eating Behaviour Questionnaire in Poland.

Obesity is increasingly diagnosed in pre-school and early primary school children. Eating styles displayed by the youngest children may contribute to the development of overweight and obesity. Their assessment may be extremely important in diagnosing the causes of obesity, but also in planning treatment. In view of the need to introduce a tool for assessing eating behaviours in children in Poland, the aim of the study was to develop the Polish adaptation of the Children's Eating Behaviour Questionnaire (CEBQ). The study group consisted of 151 mothers of children aged 3-10 years (M = 6.77, SD = 2.34), who completed the Polish version of the CEBQ. In order to assess the validity of the questionnaire, a factor analysis was conducted, using the principal components method with the Oblimin rotation and Kaiser normalization. To assess the reliability of the questionnaire, its internal consistency was checked by calculating Cronbach's alpha consistency coefficient. The external validity of the CEBQ was also checked by correlating its scales with those of the Temperament Questionnaire (EAS-C). The principal components analysis extracted an eight-factor scale from the 35 items of the questionnaire in which a total of 60.57% of the common variance was explained. The validity of such an eight-factor solution was confirmed by the Kaiser method. Satisfactorily high values of Cronbach's alpha internal consistency coefficient were obtained (0.78). Positive correlations were found between emotionality and emotional undereating and overeating, between shyness and fussiness and negative correlations between activity and slowness in eating, sociability and fussiness and slowness in eating and between shyness and enjoyment of food. The Polish version of the CEBQ is characterized by the acceptable validity and reliability and has a satisfactory criterion accuracy; therefore, it can be used as a psychometric tool to assess eating behaviours in Polish children.

Association studies between chromosomal regions 1q21.3, 5q21.3, 14q21.2 and 17q21.31 and numbers of children in Poland

Number of children is an important human trait and studies have indicated associations with single-nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs). Aim: to give further evidence for four associations using a large sample of Polish subjects. Data from the POPULOUS genetic database was provided from anonymous, healthy, unrelated, Polish volunteers of both sexes (N = 5760). SNPs (n = 173) studied: (a) 69 from the chromosome 17 H1/H2 inversion; (b) six from 1q21.3, 5q21.3 and 14q21.2; and (c) 98 random negative controls. Zero-inflated negative-binomial regression (z.i.) was performed (0–3 numbers of children per individual (NCI) set as non-events; adjustors: year of birth, sex). Significance level p = 0.05 with Bonferroni correction. Statistically-significant differences (with data from both sexes combined) were obtained from highly-linked inversion SNPs: representative rs12373123 gave means: homozygotes TT: 2.31 NCI (n = 1418); heterozygotes CT: 2.35 NCI (n = 554); homozygotes CC: 2.44 NCI (n = 43) (genotype p = 0.01; TTvs.CC p = 0.004; CTvs.CC p = 0.009). (Male data alone gave similar results.) Recessive modeling indicated that H2-homozygotes had 0.118 more children than H1-homozygotes + heterozygotes (z.i.-count estimates ± standard errors: CT, − 0.508 ± 0.194; TT, − 0.557 ± 0.191). The non-over-dispersed count model detected no interactions: of importance there was no significant interaction with age. No positive results were obtained from negative-control SNPs or (b). Conclusions: association between the H1/H2 inversion and numbers of children (previously reported in Iceland) has been confirmed, albeit using a different statistical model. One limitation is the small amount of data, despite initially ~ 6000 subjects. Causal studies require further investigation.

Human Respiratory Syncytial Virus Infections among Hospitalized Children in Poland during 2010-2020: Study Based on the National Hospital Registry.

Human respiratory syncytial virus (RSV) is responsible for infections mainly affecting the lower respiratory tract in infants and young children after the first exposure. The aim of the study is to show up-to-date information on RSV hospitalization cases in Poland in children aged < 5 years. A retrospective, population-based study was conducted using data from hospital discharge records of patients hospitalized from 2010-2020. The study group consisted of 57,552 hospitalizations of RSV children. The mean and median ages were 232 (95% CI: 230-234) and 132 (IQR 63-271) days. The mean annual hospitalization rate for patients with RSV infection was estimated to be 267.5 per 100,000, and the highest was observed in children < 1 year (1132.1 per 100,000). The mean annual hospitalization rate was significantly higher in patients living in urban than rural regions (p < 0.001). A statistically significant increase in the number of hospitalizations was observed (p < 0.0001) during the analyzed period. The seasonal pattern was found with the highest rates of hospitalizations in the January-March period. The increasing RSV hospitalization rate requires further research and may be the basis for urgent healthcare measures. The results may be helpful in comparative analyses in the European and global context.

THE ROLE OF SCHOOL AND OUT-OF-SCHOOL FACTORS IN THE DEVELOPMENT OF HEALTH EDUCATION IN WESTERN UKRAINIAN LANDS (1918-1939)

The interaction of the family, school and extracurricular educational institutions is one of the pedagogical prerequisites for the development of health education and the effectiveness of educating schoolchildren about a healthy lifestyle. The solution to this problem is carried out at the intersection of social and human sciences. The purpose of the article is to define the role of factors in the development of health education in the Western Ukrainian lands (1918-1939). In the research, we used the following methods: systematization and analysis of scientific and pedagogical literature on the research problem, search-bibliographic, interpretive-analytical and theoretical for formulating research conclusions. It should be noted that considerations regarding the decisive role of the school in the formation of the young generation's sense of responsibility for their own health are not new for pedagogical thought in the western Ukrainian lands. They became especially relevant in the 1920s and 1930s, when the region was part of the newly formed Polish state, the Polish-Lithuanian Commonwealth. This was caused, on the one hand, by the satisfactory state of health care of the population in the western Ukrainian lands at the state level, and on the other hand, by low hygienic conditions at the household level. This, in turn, caused almost the highest mortality rate among children in Poland, which in some places reached 30%, as well as an increase in the incidence of tuberculosis and other infectious diseases. The result of the study showed that the state of schooling in the western Ukrainian lands was determined by the previous course of the region's historical development, its political and economic situation. We determined that the management of education was carried out mainly in the interests of the Poles, which had a negative impact on the development of school education of Ukrainians and Jews. In many villages of the region there were no primary schools, and the percentage of students not covered by compulsory education remained high. As a result, the western Ukrainian lands lagged behind other provinces of Ukraine in the level of educational development.

THE NEWEST TYPE OF UKRAINIAN-POLISH PHRASEBOOKS (Review of the phrasebook: Katarzyna Jakubowska-Krawczyk, Svitlana Romaniuk, Marta Zambrzycka. Szkolne rozmówki ukraińsko-polskie. Materiał pomocniczy dla nauczycieli nieznających jezyka ukraińskiego, którzy pracuja z uczniami z Ukrainy. Warszawa, 2022).

Phrasebooks is an interesting genre, which is characterized by a significant prevalence in various languages. Despite the fact that phrasebooks are quite popular in the modern world, there is still no consensus on the exact definition of the phrasebook genre. It is interpreted as a phrasebook, a dictionary, a study guide, a reference publication. Modern classifications of lexicographic sources do not always mention phrasebooks as a separate type of dictionary. The only thing that unites the examples of this genre is that phrasebooks appear as a reaction to an extralinguistic situation and serve to facilitate communication in a foreign language environment. After the beginning of the Russian-Ukrainian war, we have observed the appearance of different materials on the Internet (lists of words on a separate topic) and phrasebooks for various categories of Ukrainians who were abroad. At the same time, we can state that such phrases are also created for those social groups who take care of Ukrainian refugees abroad in their everyday life or professionally, for example, for volunteers, doctors, people who have accepted refugees into their homes. The article describes the structure, content, construction of a new type of Ukrainian-Polish phrasebook - a phrasebook for teachers who teach Ukrainian children in Poland during the Russian-Ukrainian war. Attention is drawn to the micro- and macrostructure of the phrasebook. The presence of new topics of conversation with regard to the psychological adaptation of a child in a foreign-speaking team is noted. The principles of arranging language material at the phonetic, lexical and grammatical levels are analyzed. The strategy of formation of communicative competence is described. Remarks were expressed regarding a) the Ukrainian language norms; b) methodical principles of laying out the material. Key words: phrasebook, lexical competence, communicative competence, situational approach, situation, types of speech activity.

Analysis of qualification for post-exposure prophylaxis against rabies in children in Poland

ABSTRACT Background Rabies is a fatal disease caused by the rabies virus, usually transmitted by a bite by an infected animal. Because there is no effective treatment, prophylaxis is crucial. The aim of the study was to analyse the circumstances of exposure, characterise the animals that were a potential source of infection and evaluate the frequency of post-exposure prophylaxis in children. Methods This was a retrospective analysis of the medical records of 494 children who had been bitten, scratched or salivated on by an animal and were seen consecutively between 2015 and 2019 in the Department of Paediatric Infectious Diseases, Medical University of Warsaw. Results The study group was children aged 10 months to 17 years 11 months. The animals most commonly involved were dogs (347/494, 70.24%), cats (81/494 (16.40%) and squirrels (10/494, 2.02%). The contact was mainly with tame but unfamiliar animals (359/494, 72.67%, p < 0.001). The most common type of exposure was a bite (457/494, 92.51%). Surgical wound care was required most often after exposure in a town (64/90, 71.11%). A total of 412 children (80.83%) received post-exposure vaccination, including 333/412 using the Essen regimen. In 13/412 cases, the vaccination schedule (3.16%) was not completed because of an absence of signs of disease during veterinary observation of the animal. Anti-rabies immunoglobulin was administered to 13/412 (3.16%). Conclusion Most children who are referred after being bitten by an animal require post-exposure prophylaxis. Children are usually bitten by tame dogs with which they are unfamiliar, mostly on the hand. Surgical wound care is needed more often for urban patients than others.

Is the future frightening? Anxiety among young people in care in Poland as they move to independence

Moving to independent adulthood constitutes a difficult developmental challenge for all young people. But it can be especially hard for those in foster care who often lack support from their birth families and struggle with concerns about their future. The aim of this study was to investigate the circumstances that contribute to the future anxiety affecting looked after children in Poland as they move to independence. A quantitative methodology was used, the results of which show that the future anxiety of young people in foster care correlates with their age, source of income and continuation of education but not with gender, place of residence, type of care placement, current housing, intensity of relationships or current level of education. A similar study of a comparison group of young people who were not looked after and living with their birth families found no differences between the two groups in levels of general anxiety. The findings indicate that future anxiety is common among all young people moving to independence but that for some young people in care, it is sufficiently severe as to impair their progress. The risk and protective factors associated with this are highlighted. The findings also suggest that mentoring is an especially effective way of helping them make a successful transition.

Subcutaneous Implantable Cardioverter Defibrillators for the Prevention of Sudden Cardiac Death: Pediatric Single-Center Experience.

Background: The subcutaneous implantable cardioverter defibrillator (S-ICD) was developed as an alternative to the transvenous ICD, to prevent lead-related complications associated with the latter. The absence of intravascular or intracardiac components offers potential advantages to pediatric patients. Aims: The aim of the study is to present an overview of our experience with S-ICDs in the pediatric center that, currently, has performed the largest number of implantations in children in Poland. Methods: Retrospective analysis of data from medical history, qualification, implantation procedure, and S-ICD post-implantation observations in 11 pediatric patients were performed. Results: S-ICDs were implanted in 11 patients, 8 boys and 3 girls, aged 12–17 years. The S-ICD was implanted for primary prevention in seven patients: four with hypertrophic cardiomyopathy (HCM), two with dilated cardiomyopathy (DCM), and one with arrhythmogenic right ventricular cardiomyopathy (ARVC). It was implanted for secondary prevention in four patients: two with sudden cardiac arrest (SCA) in the course of idiopathic ventricular fibrillation (IVF), one with long QT syndrome (LQTS) after probable SCA, and one with Brugada syndrome after SCA. In all patients, the device was implanted intramuscularly. One patient did not have a defibrillation test performed due to the presence of an intracardiac thrombus. In one patient, during screening, it was decided to implant an electrode on the right side of the sternum. There were no early or late complications with any of the procedures. So far, no inadequate discharges have been observed. Conclusions: Our results prove the efficacy of the S-ICD treatment option along with technically simple surgery, which supports its further and more widespread application in children.

Integration Policy of Immigrants With Particular Emphasis on Ukrainian Children in Poland

Migrations have accompanied humankind for hundreds of years. The journeys made to “pursue bread” as the Polish put it, have been ingrained in historical and social processes taking place on both regional and global scales. Decisions to relocate are frequently underpinned by economic reasons, but political, religious, social or climatic reasons can also be factors. These decisions are taken by adults, but their scope and effects also extend to children. The challenges that these children face come in the form of problems with adaptation, education, and the priority of values, oftentimes – loneliness, a lack of close relations, and a reduced sense of security during their stay in foreign environments. The refugee situation is a specifi c case and a challenge for children. The aim of this article is to highlight the problem of the integration/assimilation of Ukrainian children in Poland who have arrived here as a result of their parents’ informed migration decisions, as well as those who have ended up here as a consequence of the war that Russia has been waging against Ukraine since 24th February 2022.