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Abdo Almoliky M, Elzilal HA, Alzahrani E, Abo-Dief HM, Saleh KA, Alkubati SA, Saad MS, Sultan MA. Prevalence and associated factors of needle stick and sharp injuries among nurses: A cross-sectional study. SAGE Open Med 2024; 12:20503121231221445. [PMID: 38249941 PMCID: PMC10798111 DOI: 10.1177/20503121231221445] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/28/2023] [Accepted: 11/28/2023] [Indexed: 01/23/2024] Open
Abstract
Objectives Workplace safety is essential to occupational health practices among healthcare providers, especially for nurses vulnerable to work-related hazards such as needle stick and sharp injuries. In Yemen, the underestimation and absence of reporting system and lack of health supplies in a collapsed health system exacerbated the needle stick and sharp injuries. This study aimed to identify the prevalence and associated factors of needle stick and sharp injuries among nurses in Taiz, Yemen. Methods A cross-sectional study was conducted on a sample of 151 nurses working in three public hospitals in Taiz City. A semi-structured questionnaire was designed and delivered to the participants. Results The prevalence of needle stick and sharp injuries among nurses was very high (95.36%), and around half were injured more than five times. Female nurses and those in an emergency department were more likely to be subjected to needle stick and sharp injuries (p = 0.018 and 0.021, respectively). Needle stick was the most common cause of injury (62.77%), and the fingers were the most exposed injury site (79.17%). Non-reporting injuries were very high (73.61%), and only one-third (34.21%) of them proceeded in the process of management, and less than one-quarter (23.68%) had been vaccinated. Conclusion The prevalence of needle stick and sharp injuries among nurses in Taiz was very high, and determined by gender and place of work. Post-injury reporting and precautions were poor, which may increase the prevalence of hospital-acquired infections among clients and healthcare providers.
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Affiliation(s)
- Mokhtar Abdo Almoliky
- Department of Medical Surgical Nursing, College of Nursing, University of Hail, Hail, Saudi Arabia
- Department of Nursing, Faculty of Medicine and Health Sciences, Taiz University, Taiz, Yemen
| | - Hala A. Elzilal
- Department of Science and Technology, University College-Ranyah, Taif University, Taif, Saudi Arabia
| | - Eman Alzahrani
- Department of Chemistry, College of Science, Taif University, Taif, Saudi Arabia
| | - Hala M. Abo-Dief
- Department of Science and Technology, University College-Ranyah, Taif University, Taif, Saudi Arabia
| | - Khalil A. Saleh
- Department of Medical Surgical Nursing, College of Nursing, University of Hail, Hail, Saudi Arabia
| | - Sameer A. Alkubati
- Department of Medical Surgical Nursing, College of Nursing, University of Hail, Hail, Saudi Arabia
- Department of Nursing, Faculty of Medicine and Health Sciences, Hodeida University, Hodeida, Yemen
| | - Mousa S. Saad
- Department of Nursing, Faculty of Medical Sciences, Al Janad University for Science and Technology, Taiz, Yemen
| | - Mujeeb A. Sultan
- Department of Pharmacy, Faculty of Medical Sciences, Al Janad University for Science and Technology, Taiz, Yemen
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Debelu D, Mengistu DA, Tolera ST, Aschalew A, Deriba W. Occupational-Related Injuries and Associated Risk Factors Among Healthcare Workers Working in Developing Countries: A Systematic Review. Health Serv Res Manag Epidemiol 2023; 10:23333928231192834. [PMID: 37636487 PMCID: PMC10447255 DOI: 10.1177/23333928231192834] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/01/2023] [Revised: 06/29/2023] [Accepted: 07/20/2023] [Indexed: 08/29/2023] Open
Abstract
Background Occupational-related diseases or illnesses account for an estimated 2.4 million deaths worldwide every year. Currently, occupational hazards threaten healthcare workers' (HCWs) lives, safety, and well-being. Therefore, providing the prevalence and major causes of occupational-related diseases may enable injury reduction and the creation of safer working environments, which are important for providing higher quality services. The current study aimed to determine the prevalence of occupational-related injuries and associated risk factors among HCWs, particularly in developing countries. Methods The articles published in English were retrieved using a combination of Boolean logic operators (AND, OR, and NOT), Medical Subject Headings (MeSH), and keywords in electronic databases (SCOPUS/Science Direct, Web of Science, DOAJ, PubMed/MEDLINE, CINAHL, and Google Scholars). Using Joanna Briggs Institute critical appraisal tools, a quality assessment was conducted to determine the articles' relevance. In addition, the relevant articles were identified through a series of assessment and evaluation stages. Results About 721 studies were searched using electronic databases, of which 36 articles included 139,578 HCWs. The average prevalence of occupational-related injuries among HCWs in the career and previous last year accounted for 60.17%, ranged from 32% to 87.8% and 39.16%, ranged from 1.14% to 87%, respectively. The current study found that sex and hours worked, stress at work, occupation, age, training in infection prevention, use of universal precautions, recapping needles, ward work experience, staffing and resource adequacy, awareness, outdated guidelines, and previous exposure to sharp injury were statistically associated with occupational-related injuries. Conclusions This study revealed that 39% and 60% of HCWs experienced occupational-related injuries in the last year and during their career, respectively. Therefore, the appropriate measures must be taken to reduce the burden of occupational-related injuries by following standard precautions or occupational health and safety measures.
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Affiliation(s)
- Desi Debelu
- School of Environmental Health, College of Health and Science, Haramaya University, Harar, Ethiopia
| | - Dechasa Adare Mengistu
- School of Environmental Health, College of Health and Science, Haramaya University, Harar, Ethiopia
| | - Sina Temesgen Tolera
- School of Environmental Health, College of Health and Science, Haramaya University, Harar, Ethiopia
| | - Alemayehu Aschalew
- Institutional development and facility management, College of Health and Medical Science, Haramaya University, Harar town, Ethiopia
| | - Wegene Deriba
- School of Environmental Health, College of Health and Science, Haramaya University, Harar, Ethiopia
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Awini AB, Opoku DA, Ayisi-Boateng NK, Osarfo J, Sulemana A, Yankson IK, Osei-Ampofo M, Zackaria AN, Newton S. Prevalence and determinants of occupational injuries among emergency medical technicians in Northern Ghana. PLoS One 2023; 18:e0284943. [PMID: 37098096 PMCID: PMC10129006 DOI: 10.1371/journal.pone.0284943] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/12/2023] [Accepted: 04/11/2023] [Indexed: 04/26/2023] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND Emergency Medical Technicians (EMTs) are the primary providers of prehospital emergency medical services. The operations of EMTs increase their risks of being exposed to occupational injuries. However, there is a paucity of data on the prevalence of occupational injuries among EMTs in sub-Saharan Africa. This study, therefore, sought to estimate the prevalence and determinants of occupational injuries among EMTs in the northern part of Ghana. METHODS A cross-sectional study was conducted among 154 randomly recruited EMTs in the northern part of Ghana. A pre-tested structured questionnaire was used to collect data on participants' demographic characteristics, facility-related factors, personal protective equipment use, and occupational injuries. Binary and multivariate logistic regression analyses with a backward stepwise approach were used to examine the determinants of occupational injuries among EMTs. RESULTS In the 12 months preceding data collection, the prevalence of occupational injuries among EMTs was 38.6%. Bruises (51.8%), and sprains/strains (14.3%) were the major types of injuries reported among the EMTs. The key determinants of occupational injury among EMTs were male sex (AOR: 3.39, 95%CI: 1.41-8.17), an absence of a health and safety committee at the workplace (AOR: 3.92, 95%CI: 1.63-9.43), absence of health and safety policy at the workplace (AOR: 2.76, 95%CI: 1.26-6.04) and dissatisfaction with health and safety measures at the workplace (AOR: 2.51, 95%CI: 1.10-5.71). CONCLUSION In the twelve months before to the data collection for this study, the prevalence of occupational injuries among EMTs of the Ghana National Ambulance Service was high. The creation of health and safety committees, the creation of health and safety rules, and the strengthening of current health and safety procedures for EMTs are all possible ways to lessen this.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ali Baba Awini
- Ghana National Ambulance Service, Upper East Region, Ghana
| | - Douglas Aninng Opoku
- Department of Occupational and Environmental Health, School of Public Health, Kwame Nkrumah University of Science and Technology, Kumasi, Ghana
- Allen Clinic, Family Healthcare Services, Kumasi, Ghana
| | - Nana Kwame Ayisi-Boateng
- Department of Medicine, School of Medicine and Dentistry, Kwame Nkrumah University of Science and Technology, Kumasi, Ghana
| | - Joseph Osarfo
- Department of Community Medicine, School of Medicine, University of Health and Allied Health Science, Ho, Ghana
| | - Alhassan Sulemana
- Department of Environmental Science, College of Science, Kwame Nkrumah University of Science and Technology, Kumasi, Ghana
| | - Isaac Kofi Yankson
- Council for Scientific and Industrial Research-Building and Road Research Institute, Kumasi, Ghana
| | - Maxwell Osei-Ampofo
- Department of Medicine, School of Medicine and Dentistry, Kwame Nkrumah University of Science and Technology, Kumasi, Ghana
| | | | - Sam Newton
- Department of Global and International Health, School of Public Health, Kwame Nkrumah University of Science and Technology, Kumasi, Ghana
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Makhado L, Musekwa OP, Makhado TG, Otsheleng R. Healthcare practitioners and students' PEP knowledge, attitude and adherence in Southern Africa. Health SA 2022; 27:2036. [PMID: 36483500 PMCID: PMC9724098 DOI: 10.4102/hsag.v27i0.2036] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/07/2022] [Accepted: 09/09/2022] [Indexed: 11/10/2022] Open
Abstract
Background There is a high prevalence of occupational exposure among health care practitioners (HCPs) around the globe. One of the risk factors of HIV infection among HCPs is occupational exposure to human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) infection through blood or fluid from HIV-infected individual. Therefore, because of this prevalence, there is a need to have sufficient knowledge and information regarding post-exposure prophylaxis (PEP). Sufficient PEP knowledge assists individuals in utilising PEP in case of exposure to HIV. Aim This study aims to assess the level of knowledge, attitude and adherence to PEP in HCPs in Southern Africa. Setting The systematic review included studies conducted in Southern Africa. Methods A systematic review was conducted. Search engines employed in this study included Google Scholar, Science Direct, PubMed, Ebscohost and JSTOR. From these, 3572 articles emerged after removing duplications, and article screening was guided by inclusion and exclusion criteria and outlined on a PRISMA flow chart. Ultimately, the study included 13 articles. A critical appraisal skills programme was applied for the quality assessment of the eligible studies. Results Studies included in this review revealed that most participants have adequate knowledge regarding PEP (n = 6). However, it was revealed that poor adherence occured because most HCPs did not complete PEP. Conclusion Health care practitioners have adequate knowledge of PEP with varying levels of adherence to PEP. Therefore, more awareness illustrating the importance of adhering to PEP is needed. Contribution There is an adequate level of knowledge regarding PEP found in the included studies although not satisfactory in Southern Africa given the participants are HCPs, and marked inappropriate practices affect adherence.
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Affiliation(s)
- Lufuno Makhado
- Department of Public Health, Faculty of Health Sciences, University of Venda, Thohoyandou, South Africa
| | - Ofhani P. Musekwa
- Department of Psychology, Faculty of Health Sciences, University of Venda, Thohoyandou, South Africa
| | - Thendo G. Makhado
- Department of Advanced Nursing Sciences, Faculty of Health Sciences, University of Venda, Thohoyandou, South Africa
| | - Reamogetse Otsheleng
- Department of Health, General Delarey Hospital, North-West Province, Lichtenburg, South Africa
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Datar UV, Kamat M, Khairnar M, Wadgave U, Desai KM. Needlestick and sharps' injury in healthcare students: Prevalence, knowledge, attitude and practice. J Family Med Prim Care 2022; 11:6327-6333. [PMID: 36618215 PMCID: PMC9810938 DOI: 10.4103/jfmpc.jfmpc_155_22] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/20/2022] [Revised: 05/31/2022] [Accepted: 06/14/2022] [Indexed: 11/10/2022] Open
Abstract
Purpose Needlestick and sharps injury is an occupational hazard, and it presents with a constant risk of exposure to blood-borne pathogens. Students are particularly at risk due to a lack of experience and handling skills. The present study was designed to assess the prevalence of needle stick injury and evaluate the knowledge, attitude, and practice regarding its prevention and management among students of a medical campus. Methods A cross-sectional, questionnaire-based study was conducted among healthcare students of the medical campus in Sangli, Maharashtra. Overall, the study included 942 participants belonging to medical, dental, and nursing faculties. Results Overall, the prevalence rate of needlestick and sharps injury was found to be 25.2%. The prevalence was highest amongst nursing students. The students had adequate knowledge about blood-borne virus (BBV) transmission and prevention of needlestick injury. However, there was a substantial shortfall in post-exposure prophylaxis knowledge amongst the students. A deficit in translation between knowledge to practice was noted, particularly in the case of needlestick injury prevention and management. Conclusion The present study found that one in four students experience needlestick injury; overall knowledge regarding prevention and management of needlestick injury was lesser than desired, and gaps in knowledge and practice were identified in the present study. This can be rectified by curricular reforms, periodic educational programs and stern reinforcement of guidelines. Instilling reporting centers and devising a standing operating procedure in the event of needlestick injury are the needs of the hour.
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Affiliation(s)
- Uma Vasant Datar
- Oral Pathology and Microbiology, Bharati Vidyapeeth Deemed to be University, Dental College and Hospital, Sangli, Maharashtra, India,Address for correspondence: Dr. Uma Vasant Datar, Assistant Professor, Department of Oral Pathology and Microbiology, Bharati Vidyapeeth Deemed to be University Dental College and Hospital Sangli. Maharashtra, India. E-mail:
| | - Mamata Kamat
- Oral Pathology and Microbiology, Bharati Vidyapeeth Deemed to be University, Dental College and Hospital, Sangli, Maharashtra, India
| | - Mahesh Khairnar
- Unit of Public Health Dentistry, Faculty of Dental Sciences, Institute of Medical Sciences, Banaras Hindu University, Varanasi, Uttar Pradesh, India
| | - Umesh Wadgave
- Public Health Dentistry ESIC Dental College and Hospital, Kalburgi, Karnataka, India
| | - Karishma Madhusudhan Desai
- Oral and Maxillofacial Pathology and Oral Microbiology, Dr. D.Y. Patil Dental College and Hospital, Dr. D.Y.Patil Vidyapeeth, Pimpri, Pune, Maharashtra, India
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Pre-hospital peripheral intravenous catheter insertion practice: An integrative review. Australas Emerg Care 2022:S2588-994X(22)00067-7. [DOI: 10.1016/j.auec.2022.08.006] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/15/2022] [Accepted: 08/21/2022] [Indexed: 11/15/2022]
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Occupational blood and body fluid exposure among emergency medical service providers in the eThekwini metropole of South Africa. Afr J Emerg Med 2022; 12:97-101. [PMID: 35223389 PMCID: PMC8850725 DOI: 10.1016/j.afjem.2022.01.001] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/29/2021] [Revised: 11/06/2021] [Accepted: 01/25/2022] [Indexed: 11/22/2022] Open
Abstract
INTRODUCTION Emergency Medical Service (EMS) providers in South Africa are among health care workers (HCW) most at risk of contracting infectious diseases due to occupational exposure to blood and body fluids (BBF). While the austere, dynamic, and challenging nature of the prehospital environment appears to be one of the primary drivers to this risk, the growing prevalence of bloodborne infections within the country; particularly Hepatitis B, C and Human Immunodeficiency Virus (HIV), has inevitably compounded the problem. The aim of this study was to investigate the knowledge, practices, and prevalence of BBF exposure among EMS providers in the eThekwini metropole of KwaZulu-Natal, South Africa. METHODOLOGY This cross-sectional questionnaire-based study was completed by 96 randomly selected EMS providers who worked for the state-run ambulance service and were stationed within the eThekwini metropole. RESULTS A total of 41 (42.7%) of the 96 respondents indicated memorable exposure to BBF at some point in their operational career. Exposure appeared to be mostly as a result of needlestick injuries (NSI) (63.4%), followed by BBF exposure into the eyes (19.5%). At the time of exposure, a total of 40 participants (97.6%) were wearing gloves, 22% (n = 9) were wearing facemasks, and 9.8% (n = 4) were wearing eye protection. Less than half of the respondents (46, 47.9%) were aware of existing EMS espoused BBF exposure policies, and 55 (57.3%) knew about post-exposure prophylaxis for HIV. Majority of the respondents (n = 74; 77.1%) indicated that they always recapped needles, and 46.9% (n = 45) dispose of sharps containers when completely full. CONCLUSION The findings suggest that BBF related knowledge and practices among EMS providers working in the eThekwini metropole may be inadequate, and may increase the risk of blood exposure. In order to improve knowledge, immediate provision of EMS-specific BBF exposure training is required.
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Burnett RJ, Dramowski A, Amponsah-Dacosta E, Meyer JC. Increasing hepatitis B vaccination coverage of healthcare workers - global lessons for South Africa. Curr Opin Immunol 2021; 71:6-12. [PMID: 33819774 DOI: 10.1016/j.coi.2021.03.010] [Citation(s) in RCA: 6] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/03/2021] [Revised: 03/12/2021] [Accepted: 03/15/2021] [Indexed: 12/22/2022]
Abstract
Healthcare workers (HCWs) are at high risk of contracting hepatitis B (HB), a severe blood-borne vaccine-preventable disease, caused by HB virus (HBV) infection. Low HB vaccine (HepB) coverage has resulted in suboptimal protection and high HBV infection rates in South African HCWs. Studies from Africa have identified cost; unavailability/lack of access to HepB; and lack of awareness/knowledge of HB and HepB, as barriers to HCW uptake. Studies from Europe show little difference in HepB coverage between countries mandating versus recommending HepB. Providing easy and sustained access to free HepB to student HCWs, together with education about HB and HepB, are recommended to create demand for HepB. Only if this fails should mandatory vaccination be considered.
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Affiliation(s)
- Rosemary Joyce Burnett
- Department of Virology, Sefako Makgatho Health Sciences University, Pretoria, South Africa; South African Vaccination and Immunisation Centre, Sefako Makgatho Health Sciences University, Pretoria, South Africa.
| | - Angela Dramowski
- Division of Health Systems and Public Health, Department of Global Health, Stellenbosch University, Cape Town, South Africa
| | - Edina Amponsah-Dacosta
- Vaccines for Africa Initiative, School of Public Health and Family Medicine, University of Cape Town, Cape Town, South Africa
| | - Johanna Catharina Meyer
- South African Vaccination and Immunisation Centre, Sefako Makgatho Health Sciences University, Pretoria, South Africa; Division of Public Health Pharmacy and Management, Sefako Makgatho Health Sciences University, Pretoria, South Africa
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Ganczak M, Topczewska K, Biesiada D, Korzeń M. Frequency of Occupational Bloodborne Infections and Sharps Injuries among Polish Paramedics from Selected Ambulance Stations. INTERNATIONAL JOURNAL OF ENVIRONMENTAL RESEARCH AND PUBLIC HEALTH 2020; 18:ijerph18010060. [PMID: 33374768 PMCID: PMC7796263 DOI: 10.3390/ijerph18010060] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/11/2020] [Revised: 12/19/2020] [Accepted: 12/20/2020] [Indexed: 11/22/2022]
Abstract
To evaluate the prevalence of bloodborne infections (BBIs) and assess the incidence and selected risk factors for sharps injuries (SIs), a cross-sectional serosurvey was performed between December 2018 and October 2019 among 286 paramedics (76.5% males; mean age, 37 years) from 17 randomly selected ambulance stations in the West Pomeranian region of Poland. An ELISA system was used to detect anti-HBc, anti-HCV, and anti-HIV. HBV vaccination uptake was 95.6%; 7.3% (95% CI: 4.6–11.0%) paramedics were anti-HBc positive, and anti-HCV/anti-HIV seropositivity was not reported. Almost one-fourth of paramedics reported having had ≥1 SI during the preceding year (Me = 6.0, range 1–100). Most recent exposures primarily took place during an emergency procedure (76.7%), in an ambulance (45.2%), caused by hollow-bore needles (73.8%), and were not reported (50.0%). Additionally, 52.2% of paramedics reported needle recapping, and 52.6% did not use safety engineered devices (SEDs) at work. Mean knowledge score was low (2.6 ± 1.7); 3.4% had never participated in infection-control (IC) training, and those not trained were more likely to suffer a SI (odds ratio (OR) 4.64; p = 0.03). Due to frequent SIs, of which half are unreported, paramedics remain at risk of acquiring occupational BBIs. SI risk could be reduced by providing training on IC procedures, ensuring better compliance with safe work practices, and supplying more SEDs.
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Affiliation(s)
- Maria Ganczak
- Department of Infectious Diseases, Institute of Medical Sciences, University of Zielona Góra, Zyty 28, 65-046 Zielona Góra, Poland
- Correspondence:
| | - Katarzyna Topczewska
- Department of Epidemiology and Management, Faculty of Health Sciences, Pomeranian Medical University, Rybacka 1, 70-214 Szczecin, Poland;
| | - Daniel Biesiada
- General Practitioner Office, Non-Public Healthcare Management Unit, Szkolna 9, 73-240 Bierzwnik, Poland;
| | - Marcin Korzeń
- Department of Methods of Artificial Intelligence and Applied Mathematics, West Pomeranian University of Technology, Zolnierska 46, 71-210 Szczecin, Poland;
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