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The aim of the research was clinical validation of 34 defining features and 8 related factors of nursing diagnosis Fear NANDA-International in hospitalized children aged 6-16. The validation of diagnostic elements was determined by Fehring's model of clinical diagnostic validity (Clinical Diagnostic Validity Model, CDV). Clinical assessment was implemented by two experts who were chosen according to modified Fehring's criteria of experts' choice for the Czech Republic and the Slovak Republic. In individual different age group of children the same degree and different degree of validity component of diagnosis Fear was found. The compliance relates to the fact that in none of the age groups major defining characteristics have been validated. The differences concerned the amount and the content of minor defining characteristics. In children in age group 6-11 only two minor defining characteristics were validated: a cognitive characteristic - "identification of the object that causes fear" (0.60) and a body characteristic - "dry mouth" (0.68). In age category of children aged 12-16 only one minor body defining characteristic was validated - "fatigue" (0.74).
In the group of related factors in children of both age group only one related factor reached R higher than 0.50 - the factor "separation from the supporting system in situations inducing stress (e.g. hospitalization, hospital procedures)". However, in this case, differences between age groups were found. In younger children this feature reached lower value (0.56) and was validated as a minor factor, in older children this feature was validated as a major related factor (0.83). The findings show that for the validation of nursing diagnosis in paediatric care the age and achieved level of development in children is an important factor. Therefore, it is necessary to carry out the validation studies focused on broader age range of specific groups of children repeatedly and in different areas of treatment.

The purpose of the study is to analyze BMI and the mean values of craniofacial parameters in the patients measured by directed anthropometry (PDAA) and by 3D scan (P3DAS). The aim of the study is to identify the most frequent localization of facial fat. The study sample was recruited from patients attending dental surgeries in Bratislava. Data were collected from November 2013 to February 2016. In the first subgroup patients were analyzed by directed anthropometry (PDAA) (n = 65). In the second subgroup patients were analyzed from 3D scan (P3DAS) (n = 35). The differences in mean values of craniofacial parameters between the P3DAS and the PDAA groups had no significant effect on the evaluation of nose breadth, mouth and lower-lip height in the BMI category (18.6-24.9 kg/m2). We found an association between BMI values and craniofacial parameters. In two study groups with >25.0 kg/m2 higher values were observed in nose breadth, bi-zygomatic breadth, total facial height, mouth breadth and morphologic face height than in the group with 18.6-24.9 kg/m2. In the P3DAS the facial fat was most often localized in the bi-gonial breadth and in the PDAA in the bi-zygomatic breadth.

The aim of the study is to introduce selected characteristics of risky behaviour associated with addictive substances within all urban primary schools in the regional capital České Budějovice in order to capture the development of these pathologies in the population of older school children. The research was carried out as a quantitative survey designed as a descriptive and comparative study. The data (N = 1172) were obtained using a mass-administered questionnaire for all the pupils of the 6th and the 9th grades of primary schools in České Budějovice run by the municipality. The study focuses on the consumption of alcohol, nicotine, illegal drugs, energy drinks, medical drugs (especially analgesics), and the impact of a risky environment - risky behaviour in the family and visits to night parties and discos by the teenagers. The survey describes the current status of this subpopulation and the development within the sixth and ninth-grade pupils. It also compares the results with nationwide studies, and tests the relationships between risky behaviour and leisure activities. It was found that the described group as a whole showed a lower level of risky behaviour than in the comparative study conducted within the South Bohemian Region and the whole of the Czech Republic. Within the sub-variables, a growing trend was found in the use of analgesics and consumption of energy drinks among sixth. The results also show the relationship between substance abuse and leisure activities (especially discos) and higher smoking prevalence, as well as between the time spent on a computer and the consumption of energy drinks.

This paper studies the effect of smoking on post-operative complications in certain surgical interventions in Czech hospitals. Patients were divided into three groups - smokers, ex-smokers and non-smokers. The first part was a retrospective study of cholecystectomies performed in Jihlava Hospital. The hospital provided anonymised data concerning 253 patients who were operated on in 2014, including 61 smokers, 15 ex-smokers and 177 non-smokers. Consequently, a prospective observational study of the effect of smoking on complications after planned hip or knee replacement surgeries was carried out. The study included all patients of the orthopaedic departments of the University Hospital Královské Vinohrady and the Regional Hospital Mladá Boleslav; those included were scheduled for planned surgeries in January or February 2017, and signed the informed consent for participation in the study. Data concerning a total of 61 patients, including 27 non-smokers, 25 ex-smokers and 9 smokers were collected. This study, the first of its kind in the Czech environment, found neither a higher percentage of complications after the studied surgical interventions in smokers, nor any positive effect of short-term smoking cessation on post-operative complications. Both the results of a literary review and expert opinions of surgeons vary. Above all, Scandinavian authors have defended the positive effect of a short-term smoking cessation before surgery. However, this position seems to be in a conflict with the results of our study, which found the highest incidence of post-operative complications in ex-smokers. The study indicates a need for a carefully designed and sufficiently large research focusing on ex-smokers and the impact of the pre-operative smoking cessation, which would yield statistically significant results (whether positive or negative).

The most pressing issue in the assessment of children is that they are unable to explain their pain. Effective pain management requires that nurses have accurate knowledge and skills. This aim of this study was to explain the assessment and management of pain in children by paediatric nurses in eastern Turkey. This descriptive cross-sectional study included 180 paediatric nurses. It intended to reach paediatric nurses between April 22, 2013, and June 1, 2013. The data were analysed using SPSS 22.0 and evaluated by descriptive statistics, and the chi-squared test was used to determine the statistical differences between categorical variables. The mean ages of the nurses were 26.6 ± 6.46. The nurses reported the methods they used to assess pain in children as evaluating the behavioural and physiological changes (78.8%). They reported their primary intervention for pain management in children as consulting the doctor (50%). Commonly used non-pharmacological interventions were massage (40%), giving the child a toy (23.4%), storytelling (14.4%), and playing a game (4.4%). In this study, paediatric nurses frequently did not use the pain assessment scale and used non-pharmacological interventions for pain management. Optimal pain management is the right of all patients and the responsibility of all health professionals. Nurses especially should use evidence-based assessments for children's pain. Moreover, it is also necessary to conduct further studies on non-pharmacological interventions.

People with intellectual disabilities are exposed to particular challenges within the healthcare system. In particular, elderly people with intellectual disabilities have special needs and require physical activity to prevent age-related diseases. Health Literacy could help people with intellectual disabilities to take participative health-related decisions. To be able to generate knowledge in this area, a literature search was carried out. For this the databases PubMed, Scopus, ERIC, CINAHL, PsycINFO, and Web of Science were searched. The research shows a research gap in the field of health literacy among people with intellectual disabilities. Nevertheless, three categories have been systematized: Barriers for people with intellectual disabilities, health literacy promotion for people with intellectual disabilities, and studies concerning the concept of health literacy for people with intellectual disabilities. The studies found emphasize the importance of a target group specific health literacy concept for people with intellectual disabilities and a need to involve health professionals and adequate communication. In addition, conceptualisation considerations should take into account the specific skills and social context factors of people with intellectual disabilities. Furthermore, the results show that there is an urgent need for a target group-specific definition and measuring instruments.

The aim of the research is to map the health literacy of Hungarian early childhood educators through the exploration of the characteristics of their health condition and health behaviour. Early childhood educators, kindergarten teachers, teaching assistants and nurses were involved in our quantitative, cross-sectional, descriptive research (N = 1010). The data obtained by using a measuring tool containing standardised questionnaires were analysed using descriptive statistics, chi-square test and variance analysis (ANOVA; p < 0.05). Based on our findings we can state that - compared to the Hungarian population as a whole - the examined population is in a more favourable situation both in terms of health condition and health behaviour. However, because of their role-model status, the further improvement of health literacy-related skills of professionals working in early childhood education is still of the utmost importance, as this improvement can contribute to the foundation of rising generations' health literacy.

In the 1990's, in addition to wide social and political transformations, changes in natural, cultural and ethnic structure of the Czech Republic population were initiated. These changes also present certain requirements for healthcare professionals, since when giving the health care, the procedure should provide patients/clients with effective and comprehensible care from all members of the healthcare team, which is granted with respect to and in a manner compatible with cultural - health convincing and practice of the patient/client.
The target of the contribution is to show a research project, which is being implemented based on financial support from the Internal Grant Agency of the Czech Ministry of Health entitled "Providing culturally differentiated nursing care in selected minorities in the Czech Republic" on the one hand, and to present certain results from the first stage of the research on the other.
Within the framework of a qualitative examination, a deep interview was implemented with representatives of particular minority groups. This examination mapped the topical situation of specific cultural needs in context of the nursing care provided. In the contribution presented here, we focused our interest on areas of nutrition and fast, on the area of the relationship to the health and also on the area of specific features in hospitalization in five religious minorities.
Islam: Some of most interesting and for us as also most important results of the research in our respondents - followers of Islam - were obtained in the field of specific features in hospitalization. In the interview, the respondents particularly mentioned frequent and useless uncovering, bad opinions of personnel about their religion and open expression of prejudices concerning their trust. Orthodox Church: The area, which was shown to be of a great interest in processing the results, was the field of food and specific features of fasting. The respondents refuse all the food, which is made of animal blood. An interesting result brought the statement of respondents that they are not allowed to consume food, which was sacrificed in favour of a different cult. The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-Day Saints - Mormons: The respondents mentioned that if somebody gets ill, they have specific rituals performed by the priest. This specific ritual is named "blessing for healing". Buddhism of Diamond Route (lay Buddhism): As one of most interesting results, there is a finding that all the respondents would refuse the heart transplantation. As they mentioned, the condition of mind is most important for them and the mind is associated with the heart. Judaism: The respondents mentioned that in the course of the hospitalization, they would preferably want to adhere to their specific features in the field of food. If this is impossible, they would at least appreciate a possibility of obtaining kosher food from their families.
Conclusion: The results obviously indicate that in the field of food, all the religious minorities exert a number of specific features. No matter whether these are forbidden or recommended foods or specific features in their preparation, there is one shared characteristic. For each member of any minority, food plays an important role in his/her life.

The article acquaints the reader with possibilities of using the conceptual model of the "Theory of the calm end of life" by the authors Cornelie M. Ruland and Shirley M. Moore in taking nursing care of patients at the terminal stage of their life within the framework of the hospice care.
In spite of the existing spontaneous development of medicine and nursing, the care for patients at the terminal stage of their disease is still insufficient in the Czech Republic. The World Health Organization puts emphasize on the development of community nursing, which practically means a shift of the nursing care from hospital to the patient's home environment. In the case of a terminally diseased patient, this means the community care provided in home environment. This form of care enables the family members and professional nursing personnel to satisfy all the needs of patients in their natural environment by the method of the nursing process.
In the Theory of the calm end of life, family is the basic structure (the patient at the terminal stage of life and all his/her close relatives) and the nursing care is given in cooperation with professionals in hospital as well as home environment. The nursing process is defined as nursing interventions aimed at the result: condition free from pain, feelings of comfort, feelings of dignity and respect, feeling conciliation and feeling of nearness of close relatives and caregivers. The same targets are established for the hospice care, since the authors of the model started from standards of nursing care for patients at terminals stage in the formation of the Theory of the calm end of life. The theory is based on empiric demonstrations coming from practical experience of professional nurses and detailed reviews of literature focused on the problem of patients at terminal stage.

The article acquaints the reader with results of the project "Health condition of immigrants at a selected locality of the Czech Republic - a pilot study" which was implemented from May to December 2008. The main target of the research was mapping of the health condition of immigrants at a selected locality of the Czech Republic with the help of ten social determinants of health. The article presents results from the following thematic circuits of the research: social gradient, stress, social exclusion, childhood, social support, employment and unemployment.
The research was carried out by a qualitative method with the use of a structured interview technique with open questions. It was implemented in the South-Bohemian Region. Through the mediation of contact persons, 15 Ukrainian and Russian respondents were addressed, who dwelled in the Czech Republic based on legal long-term or permanent stay. The results of the research examination demonstrated a number of risk factors, which had their origin in the social situation of immigrants and can negatively affect their health condition. A considerable proportion of respondents (46.7%) have a lower social and economic status due to numerous language and cultural barriers. Most respondents (60%) exerted at last one sign associated with stress disorder. Obstacles in attainability of the health care were particularly perceived by them in the field of the financial situation (value of 2.5 - not satisfied). Immigrants noted a rather extensive network of social contacts (30 contacts in average). In spite of this, nine respondents (60%) mentioned need of further contacts and two respondents (13.2%) suffered from feelings of social isolation. Seven economically active respondents (46.7%) did not get jobs in the Czech Republic corresponding to their education and perform particularly worker professions, which exert requirements for high physical effort. They are also afraid of loss of job, unemployment and subsequent expulsion from the Czech Republic.

The paper presents the results of survey of patient satisfaction with nursing care and with stay in hospital. The aim of the quantitative research was to find out satisfaction of in-patients in surgical departments in term of sociodemographic data. The survey was realized from April to June 2012 in all the hospitals established by the Vysočina Region. The research sample (n = 543) was formed by patients of all surgical departments of acute care who met the input criteria (age over 18 and minimum length of hospitalization of 48 hours). For data collection was used a standardized questionnaire Patient Satisfaction Scale (PSS) and a questionnaire for sociodemographic data collection of patients. Data were evaluated by descriptive statistics (average, standard deviation, absolute and relative frequency). Total patient satisfaction with nursing care in the Vysočina Region reached the average value 3.30 (SD 0.60). In patient satisfaction were not ascertained significant differences according to hospital and sex. The least satisfied patients in all hospitals were those with offered care possibilities (average 3.24, SD 0.66), they were most satisfied with access and behaviour of nurses and others nursing staff (average 3.39, SD 0.64). The patients expressed generally the highest satisfaction in the dimension of technorational aspects of care (average 3.8), followed by the dimension of interaction and support (average 3.30) and the biggest reserves were ascertained in the dimension following awareness (average 3.27). The results of the study showed that the assessed data can be used to integrated valid comparison of patient satisfaction patient in all hospitals with a joint promoter. Further they can serve as a feedback and self-reflection for nurses as well as other members of nursing team and the basis for improvement of those nursing activities which have been assessed less positively by the patients.

Available expert findings in the field of gerontology demonstrate the increasing number of seniors suffering from dementia symptoms. The disease is associated among other characteristics with a communication barrier, requiring carers to think about the ideal conditions for treating the elderly with dementia.
The concept Validation by Naomi Feil® seems to be a convenient communication tool for those who are caring for the disoriented senior. This is a communication method claiming to lessen stress, nervousness, crying and aggression, and to positively affect the relationship between caregivers and seniors.
Methods: A questionnaire survey was carried out among professional caregivers working in four social care institutions in Lower Austria to verify the knowledge, approach, and further education interests of carers in the field of Validation. The sample of respondents consisted of 100 professional caregivers in direct care working at varying levels in the organization hierarchy. The results were statistically analyzed using SPSS v19 at a significance level α = 0.05.
Objectives: The survey establishes the knowledge of professional caregivers in relation to the concept of Validation, their position and opinions on the possibility of using the method in practice, its use in the prevention of burn-out and their interest in gaining new information on the Validation method.
Results: A statistically significant correlation between the level of knowledge achieved about the Validation concept of Naomi Feil and the type of educational activities claimed by respondents has been proved. Respondents with a higher level of education in Validation declared much more interest in obtaining further information about the concept of Validation using these methods of learning: a seminar with practical demonstrations in their own workplace (P = 0.014); self-study in obtaining professional theoretical knowledge (P = 0.001); use of an interactive e-learning course (P = 0.003), and an online counselling or internet advisory centre (P = 0.031). No correlation was found (P = 0.779) between the average age of the respondents and the declared knowledge of the correct definition of Validation by Naomi Feil®. Furthermore, it was verified that there is no statistically significant correlation between the duration of the application of the Validation methods by professional caregivers and their views on the prevention of the burn-out syndrome (P = 0.815).
Conclusion: Knowledge of Validation in the form of educational attainment in the concept of Validation significantly affects the ability to use concept techniques. Validation by Naomi Feil® is perceived by respondents as an important and effective tool in improving the quality of care for elderly patients.

Diamond Way Buddhism is the youngest Buddhism lay organization, which is focused above all on meditation and direct transmission of experience of mind entity from a teacher to a pupil. In the Western world Diamond Way Buddhism seems to be a very popular direction because of its independence, pragmatism and stress on critical thinking. In recent years, interest in the Diamond Way Buddhism of Karma Kagjü has begun to develop very intensively also in the Czech Republic. The reason can be seen in the fact that in the centres, the so-called lay Buddhism has been practised instead of the monastic life. That makes it possible to combine Buddhism with everyday life. Fifty-four meditation centres have already been established in the Czech Republic.
The paper relates to Buddhists of the Diamond Way of Karma Kagjü and their specific approach to selected areas of nursing care. The results relate to an extensive research project which focused on the approach of members of selected minorities to their health, to determine the specifics of their lifestyle and ascertain the views of selected minorities about the quality of medical services in the Czech Republic and their experience with hospitalization.
As part of a qualitative examination, an in-depth interview was conducted with seven Buddhists of the Diamond Way of Karma Kagjü. The aim was to find out their specific positions in the areas of nursing care. After semi-standardized interviews and following data analysis the main significant categories and subcategories were identified. In this paper the categories of food, approach to health, illness, dying specifities, hospitalization and refusal medical and diagnostic methods are explored.
The results helped to disclose a series of useful specificities for nursing care. Most new findings were in the area of food, dying specifities, the care of the dead body and in the area of refusal medical procedures.

The paper deals with the competencies of individual members of a nursing team. The aims of the paper were to describe the current state of fulfilling the competencies of members of nursing teams in inpatient facilities in the Czech Republic as perceived by managers of non-medical professions; to compare the differences in activities of the nursing process, and to assess the needs and education of patients in different types of health-care facilities. The research was conducted using quantitative research methods applying a questionnaire technique of personal design. Individual items were formulated on the basis of the legally established competencies of paramedical staff and expert recommendations, which ensured the content validity of the questionnaire. Results showed that all members of a nursing team perform activities beyond their "internal" and "external" competencies or do not fulfil them at all. The differences between various types of health-care facilities in implementing activities of the nursing process and evaluating the self-sufficiency and education of patients were not established. Activities that are solely the responsibility of nurses are being provided by other medical staff members (medical assistants, nursing assistant and orderlies). In contrast, nurses significantly contribute to performing less skillrequired care. This situation not only does not meet the requirements of safe and quality nursing care, but it also directly affects the rights of patients to receive medical services at the appropriate level of expertise and the responsibility of providers to ensure quality health services. The failure to use competency management of members of a nursing team represents an inefficient process within the personnel management of health-care facilities.

At the onset of, or during the course of emergency events, when there is danger to life and health, it is necessary to provide protection to the population, and evacuation is one of the basic methods used to provide such protection. In the Slovak Republic, evacuation is legally described as the removal of endangered people, animals or things from a particular area. Any method of transport can be used, and it is clear that the method most often used for evacuation has been road transport. Disabled people present very serious problems and a number of factors impact on their safe and speedy evacuation, the most important of which are the method of evacuation adopted, the type of disabilities, the number of people, the number and type of suitable vehicles, etc. The road vehicles most frequently used are buses, but, although the vehicles are invariably suitable for the general population, only very small numbers are adapted to the needs of disabled people, particularly those with mobility disabilities. This article looks at the issues of risk involved in the selection of suitable vehicles, including ambulances, and the measures which need to be taken to minimize these risks during the process of the evacuation of disabled people.

Introduction: Atrial fibrillation (AF) is one of the most common supraventricular arrhythmias. Its prevalence in the general population over the last twenty years has increased significantly. The issue of the perception of nursing care has not yet been examined in detail.
Objectives and methods: The aim of this research was to assess how nursing behaviour was perceived by nurses and patients with radiofrequency catheter ablation (RFA) for AF. The research was conducted with quantitative methods using a standardized questionnaire CBI-24 (Caring Behaviors Inventory).
Results: The research sample consisted of two groups: patients with AF undergoing RFA (n = 264) and cardiological nurses (n = 92). The research was conducted between 2012 and 2014. On the basis of an overall evaluation of the perception of nursing behaviour from the perspective of the patients and the nurses, there were no statistically significant differences (p = 0.15). When evaluating the dimensions, ie. "security", "knowledge and skills", "respectfulness" and "connectedness", it was apparent that there was a statistically significant difference between the nurses and the patients perception of the dimensions of "knowledge and skills" (p = 0.04) and "connectedness" (p = 0.003), as the patients evaluated nursing care more positively than the nurses.
Conclusion: The patients undergoing RFA AF evaluated the overall nursing behaviour more positively than the nurses. The nurses perceived technical prowess more positively than the humanistic approach to patients. The patients evaluated the nurses' performance more positively than the creation of a sense of security and safety. The areas of communication and education were identified as other problematic sections.

The article discusses the issue of retirement security of citizens in advanced age. It deals with the possibility of covering all inhabitants in the region. The analyzed solution is independent of the central state pension scheme, usually implemented in the first pension pillar.
Due to the difficult changing of the pension scheme as a whole, the possibilities of the regional pension scheme are described and analyzed by the real conditions in the Czech Republic.
Based on the analyses, possible roles of the region and opportunities in it have been defined while ensuring seniors. The result is the defining of the conditions for the public pension fund to function, where the second pillar pension scheme seems optimal.
A specific solution also contains an actuarial model of the functioning of the regional pension fund. Under certain conditions, it is possible that the fund development and the pension that a pensioner earned fulfulling the set conditions is considered. Due to the limitations of a regular, predictable income, we can consider the simulated allowances as the lowest income possible.

Objective: Self-learning is a process in which the initiative is on the individual and in which the individual determines his/her own learning necessities, aims and learning sources with or without the help of others. He/she also chooses appropriate learning strategies and evaluates learning results. This study was aimed at determining the self-directed learning readiness levels of students of nursing, midwifery and nutrition-dietetics. Methods: The design of this study is descriptive. A total of 335 nursing, 171 midwifery, and 170 dietetic students participated in this study. This study was conducted at a local university in Turkey. Results: In the study, more than half of the students (67.7%) demonstrated a high level (>150) of SDLR. There were statistical differences between students' academic year, reading habits, and willingness to proceed to post-graduate training in the SDLR scores. Conclusions: Our findings are encouraging and could help staff to assist students who require additional assistance to access strategies to develop the skills of self-management, desire for learning and self-control for use in an educational setting. Future research should address the facilitating factors for SDLR, barriers to SDLR and strategies to improve SDLR among health profession students.

The problem of occupational relationships between physicians and nurses is studied worldwide. The target of the research is to reveal, based on research examination of the relationship nurse-physician, main areas and causes of these problems and found whether the quality of the relationship nurse-physician in the Czech Republic affects their satisfaction with work, risk of burnout syndrome, fluctuation of nurses and, last but not least, whether it also affects the quality of taking care of patients. The sociological quantitative research, which employed the technique of controlled interviews of the interviewer with physicians and nurses were supplemented by qualitative examination (15 focus groups). The sample group included 535 physicians and 537 general nurses. The respondents were selected based on a random choice with the help of quota.
The study presented here was focused on elements acting in formation of relationships between physicians and nurses in the Czech Republic from the viewpoint of nurses. The answers and reactions of nurses express their opinions: whether physicians respect their work, whether they consider nurses as equivalent partners and consult questions with them concerning medical care for patients, and whether they involve nurses in scientific and research activities. The research was also aimed at a question, whether physicians support nurses in the case of solving conflicts with patients and their families.
Most nurses perceive the relationships with physicians positively and consider them important in terms of the satisfaction with work. Partial results indicate negative experience of nurses in relations to physicians. They concern behaviour of individual physicians, which are described by the respondent as overbearing, non-professional and slighting. They also encounter superiority and non-professional behaviour. Careless and sometimes also non-ethical attitude of some physicians to patients are considered by nurses as very serious and not permissible. This particularly concern presentation of information on severe diagnosis, familiarization of the patient with the therapeutic procedure, examination and dismission. The manner of the physician behaviour and communication with nurses is in opinions of nurses affected not only by a lack of time, stressing, crisis situations or urgent change in planned activities, but also by the upbringing and personality of individuals.

The volunteer (unpaid) work and opportunity to perform it in the society is considered as an unavoidable assumption and also standard of democracy. It can also play an important role in forming the system of values for young people. It offers the young people with experience and skill, which are later useful in their professional life, supports their cooperation and communication skills and acts as the opposite to the style of life solely aimed at the consumption. The authors present results of observations of Slovak volunteers engaged in long-term European volunteer services in EU countries. The target of the research was to establish the motivation of volunteers, needs and barriers in the volunteer work. We also studied types of volunteers and advantages of performing the volunteer work in abroad. The sample group included 172 volunteers participating in projects of the European volunteer service in 2010 for periods of one year and above. The quantitative examination was implemented in the spring 2010. The method of the data accumulation was based on a questionnaire prepared by the authors for research purposes. The results demonstrate differences in the volunteer motivation between man and women and in considerations of the importance of volunteer activities depending on the education, the respondents perceived the volunteer activities as more important with increasing degree of their education. We demonstrated no considerable differences between types of volunteers in preferences of particular types of volunteer programmes. The most considerable barriers in the inclusion into the European volunteer programme were insufficient preparedness of the programme in particular cases and poor communication between participating organizations. The respondents particularly consider the benefits of the European volunteer programme in the self-development and professional growth, in the development of the responsibility and independence and development of language knowledge and social skills. The volunteers were most frequently engaged in work with handicapped adults (homeless people, unemployed people, victims of violence, seniors) within projects focused on environmental and cultural problems.

The target of the study presented here was to test selected propositions of the Roy adaptation model (RAM) in patients with rheumatoid arthritis (RA), particularly a) to consider relationships between RAM modes in patients with RA, b) to consider the adaptation level in patients with RA within the framework of four RAM modes and, based on a comparison with a control group of health individuals to assess the effect of the disease (diagnosis of RA) as a focal stimulus to the adaptation in the modes followed and c) to estimate effects of the RA duration, age, gender, education and marital status as possible contextual and residual factors affecting the adaptation of patients with RA.
Sixty patients with RA were compared with 58 healthy individuals without the RA diagnosis serving as controls. Answers in RAM modes were evaluated by the Arthritis Impact Measurement Scales 2 (AIMS 2). The mutual relationships of the four modes: physiologic, self-concept, role function and interdependence were considered by using the Spearman rho coefficient. The disease was tested as a focal stimulus among patients with the RA diagnosis and control group of healthy individuals without the RA diagnosis with the use of the Mann-Whitney U test. Effects of further environmental stimuli (duration of the disease, age, gender, marital status and education) on bio-psycho-social responses in patients with RA were tested by using the linear regression analysis.
In patients with RA, there were mostly very strong significant relationships (r>0.70, p0.30, p

Introduction: Influenza is one of the seasonal acute infectious diseases. Vaccination of the elderly and the sick appears to be a key measure in prevention of the infection or significantly reduces the clinical picture of the disease.
Design: The work is a cross-sectional quantitative study carried out based on a questionnaire investigation.
Objective: The objective of the quantitative research was to determine the attitude of seniors to influenza vaccination and the impact of selected factors on the decision of seniors to get vaccinated.
Methods: The total sample consisted of 623 respondents (aged 60-89 years) who were enrolled in the survey sample based on a deliberate choice. The research was conducted through a questionnaire of our own design. Descriptive statistics and a chi-square test for pivot tables were used for processing the data obtained.
Results: The majority of seniors (81%) had not been vaccinated against the flu, and the remaining (19%) had been vaccinated. The most common reason reported by the respondents was that the vaccination was recommended by doctors and nurses (65%). Based on statistical tests, we found that there is a relationship between age and the presence of senior chronic disease and the decision to get vaccinated.
Conclusion: Education of seniors in the area of influenza prevention through vaccination is needed and can contribute greatly to experiencing a more active and longer life.

The article deals with the topic of the influence of physiotherapy on arthroscopic treatment of the knee joint. The goal is to verify whether the selected methods of kinesiotherapy using physical therapy will lead to a decrease in pain and stability of the knee joint in patients who have undergone arthroscopy. The sample group consisted of 50 patients who underwent an arthroscopic surgical operation of the knee joint. They were divided into two groups. The control group consisted of patients who were not recommended a post-operative physiotherapeutic treatment. They were discharged for home treatment. The intervention group consisted of patients who underwent ten therapies. To prove the influence of physiotherapy on pain and the stability of the knee joint, selected standardized questionnaires were used. They were filled in immediately after the operation and four weeks later. Initial and final kinesiology assessments were carried out, including aspection, palpation, goniometric and anthropometric measurement and examination of muscle strength. The results show that the selected physiotherapeutic methods decrease pain of the knee joint and improve its stability in patients who have undergone arthroscopy. They also eliminate swellings, and have a positive effect on the strength and mobility of the operated limb. They help patients to quickly return to a fully active daily life. It is important to choose physiotherapy methods for each patient individually because individual dispositions and possibilities are not the same. Positive results can be reached combining various physiotherapy methods. Nevertheless, these results cannot be reached without the patient's active collaboration.

The lifestyle of people working in the sex business differs, especially due to the financial situation, specific working hours, choice of how leisure time is spent and the nature of the work. Recently, the sex business in the Czech Republic has moved from nightclubs to apartments and private flats. The secretiveness of the private sex business is connected with a very small mapping of this form and the persons working in it, therefore the aim of this paper is to describe the lifestyle of women working in the private sex business considering their everyday life at work as well as out of it. A qualitative research strategy with the technology of a biographical-narrative interview has been used in the research. The research file was formed of 10 women working in the private sex business within the South Bohemian Region. The ascertained data has been processed and coded in the Atlas.ti programme and then by means of set theory the following main categories were identified: addictions (substance and non-substance), relationship to clients, family, partners, relationship to work and healthy lifestyle. The results show that women in the private sex business are a markedly heterogeneous group considering the area of relationships. A common aspect is considering the sex business as "a business". The informants positively evaluate their work with respect to the opportunity to decide on their working hours and leisure time by themselves, and with respect to the financial benefits that often serve as support for close family.

Clinical trials are one of the important tools leading to progress in health care and a part of clinical practice. Indispensable support to research teams is provided by research nurses responsible for managing the care for subjects enrolled in clinical trials. The objective was to assess the actual job duties of general nurses participating in clinical trials and to identify the main obstacles and expectations from their point of view. A method of questionnaire survey administered to a selected group of respondents was used. Eight teaching hospitals and two specialized centres in the Czech Republic were approached that are currently carrying out clinical trials. Eight health care providers participated in the survey. Of the total of 10,603 general nurses working at the eight facilities involved in the study, 203 nurses working in research participated in the survey. The data analysis revealed insufficient education in research being the main shortage and limitation for research nurses (74.4%). The majority of nurses were expected to develop professionally when being involved in clinical trials (69.0%). No difference was established in expectations as far as the socio-demographic characteristics of respondents were concerned (p ≥ 0.05). Nurses having attended GCP (Good Clinical Practice) courses perceived their work as more time consuming (p = 0.022). The results of the survey have shown that the framework job description of research nurses in clinical trials is insufficiently prepared. The key practical outcome of the study will be educational recommendations and the initiation of a professional discussion on the governmental level on the legislative definition of the position of research nurses in Central Europe and the Czech Republic.

Purpose: The aim of the study was to determine the perception of painful invasive procedures in child patients such as venipuncture and parenteral drug administration from a nurse's point of view.
Design: A quantitative cross-sectional study.
Methods: The sample consisted of 50 pediatric nurses with the mean age of 38.54 ± 10.55 years and an average clinical practice duration of 16.44 ± 12.05 years. A self-designed questionnaire was used to collect empirical data. Based on the weighted arithmetic mean, descriptive statistics as well as evaluation of importance, feasibility of nursing interventions and nurses' competence/capability were used for the data analysis.
Results: The highest values were achieved in the importance of nursing intervention rate - with an average of 87.54 ± 7.24, the average of nurses' competence/capability rating was 78.5 ± 9.31, and the rate of feasibility of nursing intervention was on average 72.60 ± 11.71.
Before nursing intervention, nurses attributed the highest importance to "parenting education - nursing performance, preparing a child for medical procedures" (94.5%), which achieved the highest competence/capability (87.0%) and feasibility (80.5%). During the interventionist's procedure, nurses attributed the highest significance to "performing intervention with a good performance technique" (93.0%), which also achieved the highest competence/capability (90.5%). After nursing intervention, the nurses attributed the highest significance to "commending a child for being brave during intervention" (96.0%), "providing physical and psychological comfort for a child" (95.5%) and "parenting education for follow-up care" (95.5%). These nursing interventions also achieved the highest rating (both in terms of competence/capability and feasibility).
Conclusion: Despite the extensive increase in scientific knowledge, information, and effective evidence-based strategies for procedural pain management, their application to clinical pediatric practice is missing.

A survey of 427 women which focussed on attitudes and factors affecting decisions concerning childcare leave (and a return to the workforce) was conducted in Szabolcs-Szatmár-Bereg County, Hungary in 2014. Previous studies have shown that Hungarian women raising children are less employed (40%) compared to the EU28 average of 63%. In this empirical study of Hungarian women with young children, two sub-groups were identified: those who had returned to work following childcare leave, and those still on childcare leave. Both groups preferred to be exclusively a mother for the first 3 years of the child's life. Those still on childcare leave plan to return to work 6 months later than those who have returned, and those with more children under the age of 5 plan to stay at home longer before returning to work. Divorced or single mothers returned to the labour force earlier than those who are married. The length of time spent on maternity was not related to having a civil or public job, but was related to the level of qualifications (as mothers with lower qualifications returned to work earlier). A "partner bonus" effect was noticed only for those who returned to work earlier, which indicates that they could return to work because there was a caregiver for the child at home. All mothers wanted to (and did) invest in the "social capital of their child".