Social distance and stigma towards persons with serious mental illness among medical students in five European Central Asia countries

The study investigated behavioral measures of social distance (i.e., desired proximity between self and others in social contexts) as an index of stigma against those with mental illness among medical students in the Republic of North Macedonia, Turkey, Azerbaijan, Kazakhstan, and Poland, using the Reported and Intended Behavior Scale (RIBS), a standardized, self-administered behavioral measure based on the Star Social Distance Scale. The students' responses to standardized clinical vignettes on schizophrenia, and depression with suicidal ideation, were also assessed. A total of 257 North Macedonian (females, 31.5%; 1-4 grades, 189; 5-6 grades, 68); 268 Turkish (females, 43.3%; 1-4 grades, 90; 5-6 grades, 178); 450 Kazakh (females, 28.4%, 71.6%; 1-4 grades, 312; 5-6 grades, 138); 512 Azerbaijani (females, 24%; 1-4 grades, 468; 5-6 grades, 44; females, 24%), and 317 Polish (females, 59.0%; 1-4 grades, 208; 5-6 grades, 109) students were surveyed. The responses on the RIBS social distance behavior measures did not improve with advancing medical school grade, but students across all sites viewed schizophrenia and depression as real medical illnesses. The results support the development of enhanced range of integrated training opportunities for medical student to socially interact with persons with mental illness sharing their experiences with them.

Occurrence of climacteric symptoms in postmenopausal women after prophylactic bilateral ovariectomy

PURPOSE OF INVESTIGATION

To analyse the quality of life in postmenopausal women after prophylactic bilateral ovariectomy depending on the time from menopause.

MATERIALS AND METHODS

The study involved 252 postmenopausal women grouped according to the time from last menstruation: one to five years (group A), five to ten years (group B), and > ten years (group C). All women were ovariectomized during laparotomy performed for benign diseases of the uterus. Climacteric symptoms were measured with the Kupperman Index one day before and three months after surgery.

RESULTS

Highly significant age differences and no substantial BMI differences were demonstrated among the study groups. Before and after surgery climacteric symptoms were reported by 17.06% and 57.8% of women, respectively. After surgery, group A women significantly more often had hot flushes, sweating, nervousness, and sleep disorders, the women in group B significantly more often reported sleep disorders, nervousness, and sweating, and the women in group C significantly more often complained of nervousness.

CONCLUSION

In postmenopausal women, ovaries play the most important role during the first ten years from the last menstruation.

High evaluation of medical staff by women after miscarriage during hospitalization

The loss of a baby is a traumatic event, irrespective of the duration of pregnancy. In the present study, we attempted to recognize the opinions of women after miscarriage that needed assistance and support from the medical staff during hospitalization. The study was conducted during the period from January to June 2012 and included 303 women who miscarried and used medical care in the Lublin Region (Poland). The method of a diagnostic survey was applied using a questionnaire technique. The majority of the respondents reported that information obtained from physicians after the diagnosis of miscarriage were rather understandable (44.22%) and sufficient (41.91%). According to more than a half of respondents, after miscarriage, midwives demonstrated adequate skills (57.43%) and provided necessary informative support (52.81%). The study showed that during hospital stay the women who had experienced miscarriage evaluated in relatively high terms the physicians and midwives providing them with care. The evaluations of the attitudes of doctors and midwives increased with the women's growing needs during hospitalization. The results of the study allow the presumption that the medical staff providing care of women after miscarriage possess a relatively high level of knowledge and skills in the area of diagnostics and treatment of pregnancy terminated with miscarriage. However, it should be remembered that the constant training of doctors and midwives in the provision of emotional and psychological support is necessary.