Nurses’ health 2001
Molnár, E.

Aims: Health professionals frequently smoke, eat inappropriately, exercise less and fail to regularly check their health status. This study particularly assessed health beliefs and somatic symptoms of nurses.
Methods: The study was implemented in a large county hospital in southern hungary. Self-reported instruments were completed by 222 respondents. Subjects were randomly selected from various wards.
Results: The majority of nurses appraised their own health appropriate (52.%), 3.2% found it “bad”, 3.6% enjoyed “excellent” health. Leading somatic symptoms were cardiovascular (31.4%), back pain (27.5%) and intestinal (21.6%). Many smoke and drank coffee, 61.3% only saw a doctor when symptoms manifested, 20.3% never showed up for health check.
Conclusions: Nurses reported several subjective and somatic symptoms. Although their knowledge of health was appropriate, they employed fewer preventive practices. It is advised that institutional health promotion programs focus more on nurses’ health needs.

Use of complementary (herbal) medicines among oncolgy patients
Tanyi Katona, E.

Aims: To assess the prevalence of use of herbal supplements among oncolgy patients. To learn about their expectations of efficacy and to identify the level of influence of these drugs on their health.
Methods: This study implemented self-reported assessments. One hundred patients were selected from an oncology department in a major county hospital in southeastern hungary.
Results: The majority of patients was knowledgeable about and frequently used herbal medicines to combat or prevent cancer. Most patients reported benefits of taking these drugs. Half of the sample will continue using these therapies after the conclusion of chemotherapy.
Conclusions: Herbal medicines contribute to better quality of life and well-being in cancer patients. Nurses are encouraged to explore the nature of these drugs to help patients making more informed chioces.

Of children’s rights
Kujalek, É.

Aims: To explore the practice of observing children’s rights during hospital care.
Methods: Interviews conducted by a 13-item closed question instrument in a major clhidren’s hospital in budapest. Parents were randomly selected over a period of two years. Questions reflected indicators taken from the european chapter of the rights of hospitalized chidlren.
Results: Both parents and children agreed that their rights were upheld. However, patients and parents were sometimes insecure whether they fully understood procedural explanations.
Conclusions: Nurses must always ensure that children’s rights are kept. Exercising rights is equal to the provision of quality nursing care.