Zsuzsanna Soósné Kiss
8653389500
Publications - 10
Peer education program to improve fluid consumption in primary schools—lessons learned from an innovative pilot study
Publication Name: Heliyon
Publication Date: 2024-03-15
Volume: 10
Issue: 5
Page Range: Unknown
Description:
Background: Although it is widely recognized that more attention needs to be paid to children's fluid intake, there is little information on how to improve it. Peer education has been suggested as an effective approach to changing health behaviors among school children. As a new approach, our study piloted a peer education program to improve children's fluid intake in primary schools. Methods: University students were prepared for their role as peer educators in an elective university course, including the concept of peer education and different pedagogical methods. The peer educators evaluated the training process by completing a questionnaire. The intervention took place during a School Health Day led by the peer educators. An anonymous survey with a questionnaire on knowledge of fluid intake was administered two weeks before, at the end of, and 15 weeks after the intervention. Changes in hydration knowledge were tested using repeated measures ANOVA. Results: The pilot program showed increased knowledge about fluid consumption (p < 0.001) in lower and upper primary school children (N = 326) at the end of the School Health Day compared to pre-intervention measures. A positive change was observed after 15 weeks only in upper primary students. Feedback from peer educators was useful for fine-tuning the program. Conclusions: This innovative program induced positive changes in knowledge about fluid intake in primary school children. The persistence of the changes differed between lower and upper primary school children. Based on the results, the intervention should be replicated to adapt the program to the needs of lower primary school children. Because the training of peer educators and the peer education program appeared to be successful, this program is worthy of international replication. This approach may also be suggested for other behavior change issues.
Open Access: Yes
High prevalence of burnout among midwives in Hungary: High job demands and low resources as potential persistent stressors, a focus on prevention
Publication Name: Heliyon
Publication Date: 2024-01-30
Volume: 10
Issue: 2
Page Range: Unknown
Description:
Background: Midwifery practice in Hungary is characterized by chronic stress, which may in turn lead to burnout and impaired perinatal care. However, little is known about the degree and potential stressors of burnout, which hinder the development of strategies to promote well-being among midwives in Hungary. Aim: To assess the prevalence of burnout and identify persistent individual and occupational stressors among midwives in Hungary over the past decade to inform prevention. Methods: We conducted two cross-sectional studies among midwives in 2014 and 2022. We used the Maslach Burnout Inventory to assess burnout (emotional exhaustion, depersonalization, and personal accomplishment) over time. We also collected data on individual and work characteristics. We performed a multivariate regression analysis to explore associations between burnout and respondents' characteristics. Findings: The degree and prevalence of emotional exhaustion among midwives increased significantly between 2014 (N = 224) and 2022 (N = 152). High workload, not feeling valued at work, poorly perceived health status and work dissatisfaction emerged as a significant positive correlate of emotional exhaustion or depersonalization in both studies. Living alone showed both a positive and inverse association with burnout in 2014 and 2022, respectively. Work satisfaction was a positive correlate of personal accomplishment in both studies. Conclusions: Our results add to and confirm the growing body of evidence about the high prevalence of burnout among midwives in Hungary. We identified potential risk factors and outcomes of burnout, which remained unchanged over time. To prevent or reduce burnout among midwives, future interventions should focus on addressing these potential persistent risk factors. However, the time-varying role of factors influencing burnout makes it advisable to review preventive interventions from time to time.
Open Access: Yes
Burnout syndrome among Hungarian midwives in 2014 and 2022
Publication Name: Orvosi Hetilap
Publication Date: 2023-10-08
Volume: 164
Issue: 40
Page Range: 1592-1599
Description:
Introduction: The healthcare sector is the most studied area of burnout, as the mental health of healthcare workers has a significant impact on the mental health of the people they care for. Objective: The aim of our study was to investigate whether there have been changes in the dimensions of burnout among midwives, and how the relationships between burnout and the individual factors and working conditions that influence it have evolved, using national data from 2014 and 2022. Method: An anonymous, voluntary, questionnaire-based survey of midwives working exclusively in maternity units was conducted using the Maslach Burnout Inventory questionnaire, which measures burnout, and questions on respondents demographic characteristics and working conditions. Multivariate ordinal logistic regression was used to explore associations between burnout and respondent characteristics, and associations were characterized by odds ratios. Results: Among the dimensions of burnout, no change in depersonalization was observed in 2022, but both emotional exhaustion and personal ineffectiveness were significantly more common in 2022 than in 2014. Responses from 224 midwives in 2014 and 152 midwives in 2022 were analyzed. Looking at the influencing factors, higher levels of burnout in 2014 were significantly associated with poorer perceived health, lack of a partner, smoking, shorter time in healthcare, having a job in a larger city, feeling overworked and dissatisfied. In 2022, on the other hand, younger age, smoking, shorter time in healthcare, feeling overworked, dissatisfied and unvalued were associated with higher levels of burnout. Looking at the combined effect of these factors, willingness to attend a health promotion lecture and having a second job also showed a significant effect on burnout in 2022. Discussion: The authors discuss the change in burnout among midwives and the possible reasons for the correlations shown. Conclusion: The results of the first study on burnout among midwives in Hungary show that improving the working conditions of midwives is essential for the functioning of family-friendly midwifery. In addition, to prevent burnout, more emphasis should be placed on the prevention of the risk factors identified in the study in education and training.
Open Access: Yes
Cooperation between the health visitor and the physician as one of the pillars of the 108-year-old Hungarian Health Visitor Service
Publication Name: Orvosi Hetilap
Publication Date: 2023-08-20
Volume: 164
Issue: 33
Page Range: 1311-1318
Description:
Introduction: Despite the more than 100-year history of the Hungarian Health Visitor Service, no study has yet been carried out that looked back at the cooperation between health visitors and physicians. Objective: Our aim was 1) to explore the professional advances of the health visitor service and the cooperation between health visitor and physician by examining historical documents, legal and professional regulations governing the work of health visitor, furthermore, 2) to investigate whether there are compulsory training elements in today's training for health visitors that prepare students for health visitor and physician collaboration, moreover, 3) to search for old tools and documents used by health visitors and doctors in the North-West of Transdanubia. Method: A literature search was carried out to identify documents relating to the development of the work of health visitors, the cooperation between health visitors and physicians, past and current legal and professional regulations, the current regulation on training of health visitors. Through field research, we tracked down old tools and documents of health visitors and physicians. Results: The establishment of the Hungarian Health Visitor Service is associated with the names of professors of medicine. The historical documents and regulations testify the development of the work of the health visitor, the expansion of her competences and the importance of the health visitor and physician cooperation. The training competences required for the cooperation between health visitors and physicians, health visitors and specialists are regulated by the regulation on training of health visitors. We have found many old objects and documents used in the work of the health visitor and doctor. Discussion: The documents that have preserved almost invariably describe the health visitor as a person working alongside the physician, in cooperation with the physician. Nowadays, the regulation of cooperation covers for all specialties in the field of health visitor. Conclusion: Based on our research, it is fair to say that the health visitor-physician cooperation is an important pillar of the 108-year-old Hungarian Health Visitor Service.
Open Access: Yes
The Effects of a Cyberbullying Intervention Programme Among Primary School Students
Publication Name: Child and Youth Care Forum
Publication Date: 2023-08-01
Volume: 52
Issue: 4
Page Range: 893-911
Description:
Background: With the increase of cyberbullying, several intervention programmes have been created that aim at reducing cyber-victimisation and perpetration. Objective: Our study presents the effects of the STAnD anti-cyberbullying programme with peer-education both on the short and the long run among lower and upper primary school students, with a focus on the participants’ cyberbullying roles. Method: The sample comprised of 536 students who participated in the intervention programme, involving 36% lower and 64% upper primary school students. Participants were measured by a self-reported questionnaire before and right after the programme, then six months later. Results: The main effect of the STAnD programme was a positive change in the participants’ willingness to engage in help-seeking and their active-defending reaction, although this effect decreased after six months. The changes were larger among lower primary school students compared to upper primary school participants. Conclusion: Our results imply that long-lasting and intensive health promotion programmes are necessary to reach a long-term intervention effect. Anti-cyberbullying programmes should take into consideration participants’ involvement and roles in cyberbullying. As our study was a non-randomised uncontrolled study design, thus interpretation of the effectiveness of the programme is limited.
Open Access: Yes
Burnout syndrome among healthcare professionals of neonatal intensive care units
Publication Name: Orvosi Hetilap
Publication Date: 2022-08-07
Volume: 163
Issue: 32
Page Range: 1268-1274
Description:
Introduction: Burnout syndrome among healthcare workers is a well-known problem. Its occurrence and the roots have been addressed in several studies. The daily work of the specialist employees in the neonatal intensive care units is extremely stressful physically and mentally. Objective: The study assessed the frequency and intensity of burnout phenomenon among healthcare professionals working in neonatal intensive care units and examined the relations between institutional levels, occupation, and work experience. Method: Data were collected in 2019 using the Maslach Burnout Inventory (MBI) questionnaire compiled by Maslach and Jackson. Results: In the field of examined dimensions of burnout syndrome, the most characteristic was emotional exhaustion, which has occurred with a frequency of nearly 30% and with typically high intensity among professionals working in neonatal intensive care units (N = 278). In addition, one-fifth were characterized by a high frequency and intensity of depersonalization. At the same time, nearly a third of them experienced a decrease in personal effectiveness. Work¬place and time spent in healthcare did not show a significant connection with the incidence of burnout syndrome, however, burnout syndrome occurred with a higher frequency and intensity among those working in level III. neo¬natal intensive care unit. Conclusion: This is the first comprehensive burnout survey among premature and new born intensive care units in Hungary. Knowing the consequences of burnout syndrome, it is important to prevent and recognize symptoms as early as possible.
Open Access: Yes
Gender-specific pathways regarding the outcomes of a cyberbullying youth education program
Publication Name: Personality and Individual Differences
Publication Date: 2022-02-01
Volume: 186
Issue: Unknown
Page Range: Unknown
Description:
Introduction: Marked gender differences have been identified in cyberbullying perpetration and victimization in adolescence. Age and phenotypic traits, including impulsivity and problematic internet use may mediate the association between gender and cyberbullying intervention outcomes. This study thus aimed to explore gender differences and the potential mediating role of age, impulsivity and problematic internet use regarding the outcomes of an elementary school cyberbullying program. Methods: The peer-led STAnD project shapes students' attitudes towards cyberbullying, and promotes help-seeking behaviors. Baseline sample consisted of 933 respondents (51.3% females, mean age = 11.25, sd = 1.64), and after a 42.55% drop-out, 536 remained in the sample for 6-month follow-up. Four primary outcome measures represented protective factors against cyberbullying. Results: Three of the intervention outcomes – change in 1) helpline knowledge, 2) empathy towards the victims of cyberbullying, and 3) risk perception regarding online hazards - were best predicted by gender. A gender-specific path analysis model indicated that higher amount of time spent online might put a barrier to changes in risk awareness among females and in help-seeking willingness among males. Conclusions: Future cyberbullying programs may design separate interventions for adolescent boys and girls with different emphasis placed on empathy training, or the barriers to help-seeking.
Open Access: Yes
Similarities and differences in the social background of female medical, nursing and health visitor students
Publication Name: Orvosi Hetilap
Publication Date: 2008-06-15
Volume: 149
Issue: 24
Page Range: 1137-1142
Description:
According to our knowledge, there has never been a comprehensive research in Hungary dealing with healthcare university or college students' social background. Aim: The main objectives of our cross-section research were to analyze differences in the social background of female students who decided to become doctors, professional nurses and health visitors. Method: This research was conducted among female medical and nursing college students at the Semmelweis University. There were 295 students invited to participate, the response rate was 68,08% (N = 201). Data analysis was performed by SPSS software by using descriptive methods of statistics. Results: We found a decisive difference among medical, nursing and health visitor students while analyzing a number of socio-demographic characteristics. Most medical students came from families where the parents had college or university degrees, but we can state that there is a minimal likelihood in the case of college students that they are descendants of parents with higher educational degrees. We did not find statistical differences in the three student sample groups regarding their marital status, but fewer nursing college students lived in marriage or household partnership. Conclusion: We found a significant difference in the social background of nursing college and medical students. The social disadvantages of nursing and health visitor students are more considerable than those of medical students.
Open Access: Yes
Health and well-being surveys in higher education: a scoping review
Publication Name: International Journal of Educational Research Open
Publication Date: 2025-12-01
Volume: 9
Issue: Unknown
Page Range: Unknown
Description:
Objective: Higher education institutions increasingly recognize student and staff well-being as critical to institutional success. This scoping review examines existing university health and well-being surveys to support the development of a standardized assessment framework for informed decision-making. Methods: The review follows PRISMA-ScR guidelines. The protocol was registered in the Open Science Framework. A total of 237 full-text articles were systematically reviewed and analyzed using a predefined structured framework. Results: The review identified and detailed the key features of existing surveys, including the topics covered, the measurement instruments employed, and other methodological characteristics. A classification system was developed to categorize questionnaires, and a hierarchical model was established to link relevant surveys to corresponding themes. Conclusions: To the best of our knowledge, this is the first scoping review of health and well-being surveys conducted among university members. The findings provide valuable insights for improving future survey designs and advancing comprehensive well-being assessments in higher education.
Open Access: Yes
Változások az orvosok, védőnők és egészségügyi szakemberek gyermekvédelmi munkájában, ajánlások a további munkához: Tanulmány a Védőnői Szolgálat 110 éves évfordulója alkalmából
Publication Name: Orvosi Hetilap
Publication Date: 2025-08-31
Volume: 166
Issue: 35
Page Range: 1391-1400
Description:
Introduction: From 13 June 1915, when the National Stefania Association was founded, for almost a century, the health visitors, alongside the doctors, were the health-social-child protection carers of children and families with children, the coordinators of this work. Objective: (1) To review the changes in the last decades that have changed the work of doctors, health visitors and health professionals in child protection; (2) to describe their place and responsibilities in the child protection system; (3) to make suggestions based on our professional experience on how they can work more effectively to better represent the interests of children in need. Method: We studied the legislation, professional regulations and literature related to the topic, and we also carried out systematic and analytical work based on our own professional experience. Results: Act III of 1993 on social welfare, Act XXXI of 1997 on child protection, and the creation of the family and child welfare services and centres in 2016, brought radical changes. Health professionals play a key role in the child protection signalling system and work together with other child protection actors. Our own health-child protection DDTT (Detection–Diagnosis–Treatment–Therapy) model and checklist, which have proved successful in our own work, can be used to help health professionals in their health-child protection work. Discussion: The place and responsibilities of doctors, health visitors and health professionals in the child protection system have become clearer. The role of all health professionals is very important in this work. Conclusion: More attention should be focused on cases within their own competence, on primary prevention in the field of health and child protection. Teamwork, traditionally important in the health sector, is also important in the health and child protection field. Also to follow the changes, participation in training courses is recommended. For more effective work, we recommend the use of the DDTT model and checklist, which have been well proven in our own work in health and child protection. Orv Hetil. 2025; 166(35): 1391–1400.
Open Access: Yes
