Real Story Research Articles

Combatting energy poverty in eastern Turkey: innovative debt solutions and the power-cut index

Energy poverty (EP), a pressing global concern, is uniquely manifested in regions like eastern Turkey due to intertwined socio-economic conditions and intricate energy consumption patterns. This study critically examines the electricity market dynamics, highlighting the direct impact on end-users, from households to entire communities facing challenges such as unauthorized consumption and waste. Our findings over 2 years period of 6 million customer invoices through 17 cities of 5 distribution companies underscore the limitations of traditional income-based measures in capturing the nuances of EP. In response, we introduce a novel metric—the power-cut index per consumer (PCPC)—spotlighting the prevalence of power interruptions due to non-payment as an actionable intervention metric. To address EP’s challenges, we present a mechanism encouraging consumers to reduce consumption, offering debt discounts as incentives. Our methodological approach, harnessing both the Monte Carlo simulation and optimization, promises flexible, actionable strategies tailored to diverse EP situations. Drawing parallels with the European Union’s energy transition efforts, this study proposes the adaptation of European frameworks to cater to Turkey’s unique landscape. By anchoring our insights in real stories of those affected by EP, we highlight the human dimension, emphasizing the urgency of stakeholder collaboration to ensure a future where energy facilitates prosperity rather than hindrance. The collective endeavors of infrastructure companies, governmental agencies, NGOs, and the public are pivotal in sculpting a brighter, equitable energy future.

Returns and Recalls in Julius Ocwinyo’s <em>Fate of the Banished</em> and <em>Footprints of the Outsider</em>

The generic treatment of analepsis as a narrative technique has left some of its sub-aspects, like returns and recalls, understudied. Returns and recalls were first introduced by Gerald Genette (1980) as analepses drawn from the same line of action as the first narrative. Returns fill in after the event, a gap in the narrative while recalls constitute the narrative’s allusion to its past. By extension, therefore, they are posterior to the start of the first narrative and anterior to its end. Recalls and returns get a raw deal from narrative critics and theorists; one hardly finds an article-long discussion of these aspects, even in books primarily about narrative time. Yet, rarely if ever, do novelists craft a narrative without incidents of returns and recalls; hardly do real-life stories unfold without them. Adopting an interpretive paradigm, this paper analyzed returns and recalls and their functioning in Julius Ocwinyo’s Fate of the Banished and Footprints of the Outsider. This paper embraced a qualitative research approach; specifically, a descriptive case study design was deployed. Data was collected through close reading and documentary analysis; the paper was anchored on the Genettian discoursal perspective of narrative theory.

The Agency of the Idyllic Landscape: Entanglement in Theocritus’s Idyll 21

ABSTRACT The Idylls of Theocritus stand between imitation and imagination, between the real world and story. Theocritus’s presentation of both urban and rural environments trains our readings on people, landscape, and materiality—and the porosity between them. This article offers a reading of Theocritus’s Idyll 21 and the strong connection it presents between fishermen and their environs, through the lens of material ecocriticism. It shows that the world of the Theocritean corpus is complicated and enriched by material agency and the agentic landscape. This article engages with approaches to imagination, especially new-materialist entangled perspectives that resonate with Theocritus’s cast of characters, which include nature and the nonhuman.

Coming Home, Staying Home: Adopters' Stories about Transitioning Their New Dog into Their Home and Family.

Published research estimates shelter dogs' post-adoption returns at 7-20%, with a significant percentage of these occurring in the first month post-adoption. To better understand factors that contribute to the success or failure of long-term rehoming outcomes, this study sought to understand post-adoption challenges up to four years post-adoption, targeting dogs identified as more likely to be returned. Thirty-one adopters participated in semi-interviews. Thematic analysis of their responses yielded three themes: (1) The adoption process takes time and requires patience; (2) Building trust and learning limits are essential to lasting adoptive relationships; and (3) Human-dog relationships are idiosyncratic because they involve unique individuals. These results have potential application in programs designed to guide adopters and dogs through a successful adoption process. Access to real-life adoption stories, such as those uncovered in this study, might help new adopters develop reasonable expectations and learn from others' experiences as they work to develop lasting relationships with their dogs.

Evaluation of the awareness of Western Australian SunSmart campaigns between 2008 and 2022.

It is unknown whether SunSmart health promotion campaigns in Western Australia are still effectively reaching their target audience of young people (under 45 years). This study examined trends over time in awareness, relevancy and believability of SunSmart advertisements and identified socio-demographic characteristics and risk factors associated with campaign awareness. Linear regression and log-binomial modelling were undertaken using data from the annual SunSmart post-campaign evaluation surveys between 2008/2009 and 2021/2022. SunSmart campaigns were analysed and categorised into the following themes: (1) personal real-life stories; (2) daily activities/sun exposure leads to skin cancer; or (3) cartoon/animated. Between 2008 and 2022, there were declines in total awareness (74.2% to 20.4%), unprompted awareness (33.7% to 4.9%) and relevancy (89.5% to 54.8%) of SunSmart advertisements (representing annual percent decreases of 3.6%, 3.1% and 1.8%, respectively). However, believability remained high over time (>94% in each annual survey). Trends were inconsistent between the awareness of campaign themes and socio-demographic characteristics and risk factors. Several campaigns had greater awareness in their subsequent years, compared with the first campaign year. In more recent years, SunSmart advertisements and campaigns may not have reached their target audience. In addition to socio-demographic characteristics, particularly age, advertisement factors may also affect the awareness of specific campaigns. SO WHAT?: Given the changing advertising landscape and its rising costs, ongoing funding is pertinent to increase the reach of future SunSmart campaigns. Increasing advertisements on alternative platforms and designing campaigns which separately target adolescents and adults need to be considered.

Comprehension of Financial Literacy Programs in India as Gateway to Empowering Women: Gauging through Case Study Approach

Overtime India has emerged as a global economic powerhouse; certain demographic groupings still lack general knowledge about economics and money. There has been an increasing recognition of the women entrepreneurs playing a substantial role in driving the economic growth and fostering innovation. Governments around the world have progressively focused their attention on supporting and empowering women in the business landscape. In India, various government schemes and initiatives have been introduced to provide women entrepreneurs with the necessary tools, resources, and opportunities to succeed in the competitive business world. Existing financial literacy programs for Indian female entrepreneurs need evaluation to gauge effectiveness, measure their impact, and identify participation barriers. This research aims to assess programs, study their influence, and inform improved initiatives. The study attempts in showcasing real-life success stories of the women entrepreneurs who have benefited from the scheme's financial assistance and mentorship, potential challenges, and its contribution to fostering a culture of the women entrepreneurship & the social entrepreneurship. The study assesses the effectiveness of these programs in providing guidance, skill enhancement, and networking opportunities to the aspiring and also the established women entrepreneurs. While taking into account the many socioeconomic environments that women operate in, the study offers insights into the policy measures that can best promote and empower women to become active participants in economic growth.

‘You don’t see what I see’: Co-designing simulation to uncover and address cognitive bias in healthcare

Educational challenge Each year, adverse events are reported in healthcare, of which many relate to healthcare workforce cognitive bias. The active involvement of workforce and consumers in the review and co-design of effective training for the healthcare workforce to recognise, monitor, and manage unconscious bias is required. Proposed solution We used participatory action research to co-design an innovative, interprofessional simulation based on ‘real world’ clinical incidents and lived experiences to improve the delivery of safe, high quality, consumer-focused healthcare. Following ethics approval, content analysis of serious adverse patient safety events involving cognitive bias was conducted. These data informed audio-recorded interviews with the healthcare workforce and consumers to explore their experiences of cognitive bias. Following thematic analysis, key themes of communication, stigma, diagnostic overshadowing, and fragmented systems were uncovered. Guided by consumers, these themes were interwoven into a simulation scenario that included real places, stories, and verbatim quotes delivered through mixed media artefacts. This heightened the immersive and experiential learning that aimed to uncover unconscious bias and help learners recognise its impact on clinical decisions and practice. Potential benefits and next steps To our knowledge, this is the first interprofessional, co-designed simulation to specifically address cognitive bias in current and future healthcare workforce. Plans to translate this research into a practical framework on how to work with key stakeholders (including consumers) to identify ‘real-world’ health service risks and co-design targeted simulations to address these gaps are described, including lessons learned.

The effects of brand positioning (underdog vs top dog) and comparative advertising

PurposeThe purpose of this study is to understand the effect of different brand positions (underdog vs top dog) and comparative advertising on consumers’ brand attitudes. Additionally, this study also aims to demonstrate the effects of inspiration, self-relevance and empathy on the relationship between brand positioning and comparative advertising.Design/methodology/approachA two-by-three factorial design was employed with brand positions (underdog vs top dog) and three types of comparative advertising (noncomparative, indirect comparative and direct comparative) as the independent variables. Inspiration serves as the mediator, while self-relevance and empathy act as moderators and brand attitude is the dependent variable.FindingsThe results show that different brand positions significantly affect brand attitudes, with respondents having a better brand attitude toward the underdog brand. Brand attitude is partially mediated by inspiration. Self-relevance moderates the relationship between brand positioning and brand attitude. However, brand positioning, comparative advertising and empathy do not have interaction effects.Research limitations/implicationsThis study contributes to a better understanding of the effect of psychological variables on brand positioning and comparative advertising.Practical implicationsThe results suggest that the underdog setting requires a real and honest story because consumers will spot a fake underdog story, which will damage consumer trust in the brand and harm the brand image.Originality/valueThere is a lack of research using psychological variables to demonstrate the effect of being the underdog brand. This study contributes to the literature by employing psychological variables to illustrate the effect of underdog positioning. These findings can help brands develop branding positioning strategies.

Exploring the smoking cessation needs of individuals with diabetes using the Information-Motivation-Behavior Skills model.

Smoking cessation is an important aspect of diabetes management. Despite the increased risk for diabetes complications when smoking, evidence suggests that people living with type 1 and type 2 diabetes are less likely to quit smoking when compared to those without diabetes. Guided by the Information-Motivation-Behavioral Skills model, this study aimed to identify the needs of individuals living with type 1 and type 2 diabetes to quit smoking. A qualitative descriptive design was adopted. Semi-structured telephone interviews were held between April and June 2021, with 20 former and current Maltese smokers living with type 1 or type 2 diabetes, recruited from the diabetic clinics within the two main acute public hospitals. The interview transcriptions were analyzed using applied thematic analysis. Individuals with diabetes need more information on the effects of smoking on diabetes to encourage cessation. Preventing diabetic complications was reported as a motivator to quit smoking. However, having diabetes was identified as a challenge to quitting. Participants welcomed the provision of health professional support for quitting smoking, identifying the need to provide smoking cessation support within diabetic clinics. The provision of information on tobacco-associated diabetic complications, by using video messages featuring former smokers' stories was also suggested. To promote smoking cessation among individuals with diabetes, they need to be informed about how smoking affects their condition. Utilizing video messages featuring real-life stories of former smokers with diabetes who experienced tobacco-associated diabetic complications may be influential. Additionally, providing diabetes-specific intensive smoking cessation support is crucial to help them quit.

P093 Innovating in IBD care: what do patients and informal caregivers value? Preliminary results of a narrative inquiry

Abstract Background Given the increasing incidence, evolving treatment goals, and the need for tight and holistic monitoring, transformation in delivery of Inflammatory Bowel Disease (IBD) care is warranted. To innovate successfully, it is crucial to consider the values of healthcare professionals (HCP) and healthcare services, as well as the patient’s and informal caregiver’s perspective. This study aims to explore what patients with IBD and their informal caregivers value in Dutch IBD care. Methods In total, approximately 16 patients and 8 informal caregivers from an academic and a general hospital will be included. Respondents are recruited purposefully. Data collection will take place until data saturation is reached. The interviews are focused on real-life experiences and stories of respondents with regard to IBD. Interviews are conducted face-to-face or digitally, audio recorded and transcribed verbatim. Independent coding was executed by three researchers. A deductive thematic analysis approach was used, guided by the Picker Principles of Person Centred Care. Results Semi-structured narrative interviews were conducted with 8 IBD patients and 4 informal caregivers, i.e. family members, between June-September 2023. All Picker principles came across in the narratives. Respondents said that it is important to receive an effective treatment, minimizing intestinal symptoms and to function as good as possible with IBD. Involving patients in their treatment plan and paying attention to non-medical aspects, e.g. impact on work and social relationships, was relevant to respondents. Patients and caregivers valued easy and accessible communication with their HCP, the feeling to be heard, and immediate action of the HCP when required. A trustful relationship, fostered through e.g. regular face-to-face contact, was highlighted as important. Some respondents appreciated the use of eHealth tools, as these facilitate remote care if desired. Moreover, providing informal caregivers with information about the disease, treatment and impact on daily life was suggested as beneficial in supporting patients with IBD. Conclusion IBD patients and their informal caregivers value shared decision making, fast access to reliable healthcare advice, immediate action when needed, the feeling to be heard and a trustful relationship with their HCP when receiving IBD care in the Netherlands. These values and insight in the (shared)-values of all relevant stakeholders within the Dutch context will facilitate the development of valuable innovation and successful implementation. The perspectives of other stakeholders, such as HCPs, policymakers, health insurers, pharmaceutical companies, and eHealth providers, will be explored in an extensive qualitative study.

“Bacha Posh”: Gender Construct in Afghan Culture Examined through the Lens of Children in Literature

With the fall of the Taliban in 2001 and their return in 2021, Afghanistan has undergone drastic socio-political changes. In many families, children are introduced to the practice of “Bacha Posh” (dressing up like a boy), an Afghan cultural custom where girls are dressed up as boys until they are married off. Despite children being central to this practice, it has not been studied through their eyes. This article examines the custom of Bacha Posh through the children’s perspective and situates it within the current socio-political scenario of the country. A textual and cultural analysis of three literary works is carried out through a study of their child characters to examine how Afghan culture creates its own gender construct. Two are significant works of children’s literature that revolve around real-life stories of Bacha Posh – Nadia Hashimi’s One Half from the East (2016) and Deborah Ellis’ The Breadwinner (2000). The third work is The Underground Girls of Kabul (2014) by Jenny Nordberg, a seminal work in the study of Bacha Posh in which Nordberg focuses on the practice of Bacha Posh and presents the voice of children. This article then goes on to study the impact of the restrictive nature of the Taliban regime on girls and its influence on the cultural custom of Bacha Posh. It demonstrates how this practice creates an unstable gender construct among children, as evidenced by the gender dysphoria that some girls experience. It thus demonstrates the impact of culture on gender through filling in the gaps between culture, literature and politics.

Above The Clouds: a loving way to look at perinatal loss.

Above the clouds is a charity organisation in Belgium, founded in 2016, by Anneleen, midwife and photographer, and Sharon, photographer and bereaved mother of Nina*. Our goal: give all bereaved parents in Belgium beautiful memories of their deceased baby. More than 4500 babies have since been photographed.
 As a society we have lost the connection with death, although it is a key part of life. How can we look differently at mourning and loss and by doing so support bereaved parents and family and friends? What can we, as healthcare providers and human beings, do more to give parents who experience loss the best possible start in their mourning process? 
 Through real life stories we take the audience on a journey to change their view on mourning, loss and death. The importance of recognition, memories and the extremly hard but beautiful and important moment of saying goodbye. 
 The only way to heal our society in our way of looking at death and mourning, is creating awereness around the subject of perinatal loss and starting to look at it with different eyes from a loving point of view.

Beyond the Scalpel: A Tapestry of Surgical Safety, Precision, and Patient Prosperity.

In modern surgical practice, the focus extends beyond simply making and closing incisions. We aim to investigate the various complex aspects that redefine the criteria for achieving effective surgical outcomes. This narrative combines current knowledge, integrating practical experiences and academic viewpoints to comprehend the changing field of surgical care thoroughly. The tapestry explores the detailed aspects of surgical safety, examining the most recent progress in protocols, technology, and team dynamics that strive to reduce procedural risks. Examining precision in surgery, this narrative goes beyond conventional limits to explore the incorporation of advanced technologies, such as robotics and navigational systems. The complex interplay between the surgeon's proficiency and these technology aids is crucial in attaining unparalleled accuracy and favorable patient results. The focal point of this investigation is the patient's well-being, encompassing postoperative care, rehabilitation, and long-term health. Actual accounts from surgical procedures highlight the significant influence of comprehensive patient-centered methods, emphasizing the crucial need for empathy, communication, and individualized care plans in promoting healing and adaptability. As we explore this complex situation, the combination of real-life stories and academic discussions creates a clear and detailed image of a surgical environment that goes far beyond the boundaries of the operating room. "Beyond the Scalpel" seeks to engage practitioners, scholars, and stakeholders in a conversation that redefines the criteria for surgical success. It aims to establish a new benchmark that combines safety, precision, and patient well-being, ultimately shaping the future of surgical practice.

Heroes in the Middle: “Experts Helped My Students See That There Were Real People, Real Families, and Real Stories”: Creating a Culture of Networking in the ELA Classroom

Heroes in the Middle: “Experts Helped My Students See That There Were Real People, Real Families, and Real Stories”: Creating a Culture of Networking in the ELA Classroom

Lingerie, high heels, lipstick, alcohol and tobacco: paraphilias and fetishes and the Mental Health of Sex Workers

Law No. 10,216 (National Mental Health Policy) reports on the rights and protection of people suffering from mental disorders. Objective: to report the perceptions of female sex workers about their mental health in light of the Mandala of Knowledge. Results: 1st moment: Who are we – participants make their self-introduction. 2nd moment: Getting to know the Mandala - explanation of what Popular Health Education is. 3rd moment: Our daily mental health - presentation of images with the main CMDs. 4th moment: How can I help myself? – the sex workers brought their stories about each image present in the mandala. Through constructions and deconstructions of EPS, strong and real stories from sex workers about CMD were highlighted. Conclusion: we noticed the precariousness between quality of life and the job carried out by sex workers, their long working hours, risk of harassment and police violence, precarious financial situation, thus reflecting on their mental health, whether at home or in the work environment.

“Meet the patient” session: a strategy to teach medical students about autonomic dysfunction after spinal cord injury

Dysregulation of the autonomic nervous system is an important long-term consequence of spinal cord injury (SCI). Yet, there is a scarcity of teaching resources about this topic for preclinical medical students. Given the association of SCI sequelae with emergency complications and mortality, it is imperative to equip medical students with the ability to recognize them. We designed a “Meet the Patient” (MTP) session with the primary goal to enhance student learning about SCI sequelae by interacting with patients and listening to real-life stories. The session primarily focused on recognizing triggers and symptoms of autonomic dysreflexia (AD) and discussing the loss of bowel and bladder control, while providing opportunities to learn more about living with SCI from patients’ real-life experiences. During the MTP session, patients living with SCI discussed their experience with AD, neurogenic bowel and bladder, and spasticity, among other SCI sequelae. We evaluated the outcomes of the MTP session by assessing numerical performance in questions related to the session (post-session quiz and final exam) and students’ satisfaction (post-session survey) in two subsequent academic years. The numerical performance in SCI-questions was high for both academic years (and higher than national average for the final exam question), indicating adequate acquisition of knowledge. Satisfaction with the session was high, with most students indicating that the session helped them consolidate their knowledge about the topic.

Mutually Supportive and Inclusive Societies Driven by Community Social Workers in Japan: A Thematic Analysis of Japanese Comics.

Social isolation is a growing concern worldwide, particularly within aging populations. This study elucidates the specific attitudes, strategies, and approaches of community social workers (CSWs) in Japan as they work toward alleviating social isolation and building inclusive communities. This qualitative study, conducted in Toyonaka City, Osaka Prefecture, Japan, used six Japanese comics as a unique data source, narrating real-life stories of social isolation and CSWs' approaches. Thematic analysis was conducted to analyze the content of the comics, including systematic coding, theme generation, and refining, while ensuring rigor and reflexivity. The total number of pages in the comics was 505. The transcripts of the comics as Microsoft Word documents totaled 63 pages. Four themes characterizing CSWs' strategies were revealed: (1) core values of professionalism and dedication; (2) personalized support oriented toward person-centered suffering; (3) community engagement, transitioning from exclusiveness to inclusiveness; and (4) connecting and reorganizing communities for inclusive societies. In Japan, CSWs employ multifaceted strategies to combat social isolation and foster inclusive communities. Their dedication, personalized support, community engagement, and capacity to reorganize their communities contribute to their pivotal role. This study provides a foundation for understanding CSWs' work and paves the way for further investigation of their evolving role in creating inclusive societies.

A COM-B analysis of facilitators of and barriers to smoking cessation among Chinese smokers: A qualitative study.

Smoking prevalence remains high in China with a low cessation motivation level, despite the government's tobacco control efforts. There is a lack of research specifically examining perceptions, attitudes, and behaviors related to smoking cessation in this region, particularly from a theory-based deductive perspective. Utilizing the COM-B (Capability, Opportunity, Motivation-Behavior) model as a theoretical framework, this study aimed to identify facilitators and barriers to smoking cessation among Chinese smokers. The study employed semi-structured individual interviews with 40 participants. Each interview spanned approximately 30 minutes. The participants, constituting both current and former smokers, were all aged ≥18 years (n=40). Interview data were then examined using a directed content analysis approach. Analysis revealed three interrelated themes. Capability: Smokers face challenges when resisting peer pressure and dealing with life after quitting. They also lack knowledge about smoking, quitting techniques, and withdrawal symptoms. Opportunity: Changing societal attitudes towards smoking create opportunities for quitting, but these are hindered by inadequate cessation services and a lack of family support. Motivation: Smokers' motivation to quit is mainly driven by health concerns. Resistance to quitting often stems from the belief that smoking is a personal choice or just a habit. Excessive emphasis on willpower may hinder motivation to quit. To enhance smoking cessation efforts in China, three key aspects should be considered: capability, opportunity, and motivation. Publicity and educational campaigns should target common misconceptions about smoking as a personal freedom, correct the overemphasis on willpower, and widely promote available cessation services. A crucial aspect is shifting societal norms to foster anti-smoking sentiments. Effective strategies may involve using real-life stories to illustrate smoking's health consequences, disseminating information about cessation services in maternity centers, enhancing services through mobile health initiatives, and empowering families to support smokers in their quit attempts.

Internet-delivered psychological interventions for older adults with depression: A scoping review

BackgroundDepression is prevalent among older adults, and internet-delivered psychological interventions (IDPIs) have emerged as a promising solution. AimTo explore the landscape of IDPIs for late-life depression, examining current characteristics, psychotherapies, intervention strategies, facilitators, and barriers. MethodGuided by a PRISMA-guided scoping review, we systematically searched five electronic databases. Results25 relevant studies were identified. IDPIs were used for treatment, prevention, and assessment. Internet-based cognitive behavioral therapy was the most common psychotherapy. Seven strategies to provide tailored services include psychotherapy courses, professional involvement, mood and progress tracking, virtual community, timed reminders, additional learning resources, and gamification elements. Barriers contained cognitive impairment, low digital literacy, device inaccessibility, limited depression awareness, adherence issues, and acclimation time, while facilitators included prior treatment experience, real-life character stories, strong client-worker bonds, and integration into daily care routines. ConclusionIDPIs present an accessible and convenient avenue for older adults. Future directions suggest exploring minimalist interventions, diverse strategies, and optimized implementation to amplify IDPIs impact among this vulnerable group.

A medical impact of war: the hypertension crises dynamic in an adjacent population

Abstract Background The current military conflagration in Ukraine impacted also boundaring countries by fear military conflict extension in the region, often augmented by mass-media, as well as by real horror stories told by refugees. Goal. The aim of our research was evolutive assessment of the hypertension (HTN) crises in our emergency units during last twenty months. Method In this observational study, we analysed 45.293 patient (pts) files during five distinct intervals: 24.06.2021-23.10.2021, as four months of peace (P), 24.10.2021-23.02.2022, as four months of pre-war army manœvres (PW), 24.02.2022-23.06.2022, as the first four months of war – Russian invasion (RI), 24.06.2022-23.10.2022, as next four months of war – Ukrainean counteroffensive (UC), and 24.10.2022 – 23.02.2023, as other four months of war – Russian destructive attacks (RD), statistically matched 1:1:1:1:1. The acquisition of arterial pressure values was performed by professional digital tensiometers. Results From a quite steady number of 150 +/- 14 pts daily, the distribution of HTN pts was: 29,17 (P); 38,21 (PW); 67,49 (RI); 43,58 (UC); 56,14 (RD). Concerning the HTN crises, the data are as follows: 12,43 (P); 14,97 (PW); 27,65 (RI); 16,28 (UC); 24,93 (RD). Demographically, the male predominance oscillated as follows: 68,32% (P); 65,89% (PW); 59,58% (RI); 62,37% (UC); 56,94% (RD). The medium age for HTN crises pts balanced as follows: 65,32 yrs (P); 64,97 yrs (PW); 62,18 yrs (RI); 63,74 yrs (UC); 62,85 (RD). Conclusion According to our outcomes, the stress and high anxiety caused by fear of war in the neighbourhood significantly influenced the incidence of HTN crises along the five abovementioned periods. The most dramatic data were registered during RI period. Taking into consideration that this war is irrepeatable, this research is unique.