Maria Gańczak

• MD, Ph D; Professor
• Professor at University of Zielona Góra

Background Removing health system barriers to childhood vaccination is an urgent matter in the migrant community in Greece, the Turkish and Moroccan communities in the Netherlands, the Ukrainian minority in Poland, and the marginalized Roma community in Slovakia. The objective of this study was to select and adapt potentially transferable evidence-...

Literature research has suggested that vaccination hesitancy (VH) has been increasing in recent years across migrant populations. It poses various challenges, including risks of outbreaks, and re-emergence of diseases. Nevertheless, only few studies provide an insight of the interventions successful in tackling VH among these groups. This presentat...

Background Vaccination coverage in Ukrainian migrants’ (UM) children is lower compared to their Polish counterparts. We aimed to identify and adapt effective evidence-based interventions which would address health system barriers to HPV/MMR vaccination in this community. Methods With the help of the Participatory Action Research (PAR) approach, 4...

Background: Vaccination is a cost-effective tool of public health if it is accessible to all population groups. Migrants and ethnic minority populations face multiple health system barriers to vaccination [1], such as lack of culturally sensitive information in their native language, lack of awareness raising initiatives about vaccine preventable d...

Background Ukraine has one of the lowest COVID-19 vaccination rates in Europe. This may pose a significant epidemiological risk in the context of the refugee crisis and the fact that, since 2020, SARS-CoV-2 has been spreading and changing globally. Objective To evaluate determinants of vaccination decision making among Ukrainian female migrants (U...

Russia’s invasion of Ukraine contributed one of the largest migration movements in the 21st century. Refugees may become a source of severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 infections for the residents of host countries. The study aim was to assess knowledge and preventive practices regarding coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) among Ukrain...

Background Ukrainian migrants (UM) are among underserved groups with limited access to use vaccination services. The RIVER-EU in Poland aims to identify and tailor the successful intervention which would address health system barriers to MMR/HPV vaccination identified during the 1st phase of the project. Methods Participatory action research appro...

Background Vaccine hesitancy (VH) in migrants and refugees (M/R) undermine the prevention of communicable diseases. Scientific research is valuable regarding its potential for producing analyses to better understand the phenomenon. Objectives To present findings of the 1st phase of the RIVER-EU project on vaccination among M/R populations. To prov...

Background Migrants’ access to healthcare services is limited. This study aimed to identify health system barriers to vaccination, specifically HPV/MMR vaccination among children in Ukrainian economic migrants (UMs). Methods Between December 2021–March 2022, a qualitative study of UMs living in Poland was conducted. Six focus groups were held with...

Background Sufficient knowledge and preventive practices are crucial to control the spread of SARS-CoV-2. To date, some data regarding these issues have been reported among different professions, whereas such information is inaccessible in teachers. Methods An institution-based cross-sectional study was conducted between May-June 2021 in 3 randoml...

Background Before Russia's aggression, Ukrainians were the largest migrant group in Poland. However, data on health system barriers to vaccination in this vulnerable group were not collected. The study aimed to explore barriers to child MMR/HPV vaccination and related access to Polish healthcare services. Methods Between December 2021-January 2022...

Background The constantly growing refugee population may constitute public health threat in Poland in the context of COVID-19 pandemic. This study objective was to investigate COVID-19 knowledge among Ukrainian refugees in Poland. Methods This cross-sectional study was carried out between March-April 2022 among Ukrainian refugees registering in Zi...

To improve the uptake of influenza vaccine in the elderly, it is important to understand the factors that predict vaccination. The study objective was to explain influenza vaccination uptake in the next season (2019/2020) in a sample of primary care clinic patients from Gryfino, Poland, vaccinated in 2018/2019 with the free-of-charge quadrivalent v...

In February 2021, Polish teachers were offered the ChAdOx1-S vaccine as a priority group. However, there have been concerns among educators regarding the efficacy of this vaccine, as compared to the other types of vaccines (e.g., mRNA). The objective of this study was to investigate the reactogenicity and the immunogenicity of this vaccine. Partici...

Background Polish teachers, as the priority group, were offered the ChAdOx1-S vaccine since February 2021. The objective was to investigate safety, tolerability and immunogenicity of this vaccine following two vaccine doses. Methods Teachers were invited for serological testing ≥8 weeks after second vaccination. Quantitative post-vaccination anti-...

Background Face masks can all be effective means of controlling SARS-CoV-2 transmission. In Poland, obligatory wearing of masks in public spaces was introduced on April 10th, 2020. Objective To assess use of masks in public spaces in Poland during the third wave of SARS-Cov-2 epidemic. Methods A non-participatory covert observational study was co...

Background Adolescents play a significant role in SARS-CoV-2 spread. The study objective was to assess practices towards COVID-19 among final year Polish high school students. Methods Between December 2020-March 2021 an online cross-sectional survey was conducted. Multistage random sampling selected 24 high schools in the Lubuskie region then 51 c...

Background Adolescents play a major role in SARS-CoV-2 spread. The study objective was to assess COVID-19 attitudes among Polish final year high school students. Methods An online cross-sectional survey was conducted between December 2020-March 2021; 24 high schools were randomly selected in Lubuskie region, followed by a random selection of 51 cl...

Introduction The willingness to vaccinate against COVID-19 among adolescents remains low. Peer-education about SARS-CoV-2 may positively influence attitudes to vaccinate among this group. Objective To assess the influence of peer-based educational intervention on the willingness to vaccinate against COVID-19 among Polish high school students. Met...

Background Face masks have been employed in the COVID-19 pandemic plans as a public and personal health control measure against the spread of SARS-CoV-2. In Poland, obligatory wearing of masks in public spaces was introduced on April 10th, 2020; a relaxation of previous universal measures was announced on May 29th, 2020, limiting use to indoor publ...

Background Ukrainians numbering approximately 1.2 million are the largest migrant group in Poland. Data on vaccination coverage among migrants are not collected in EU, including Poland. Therefore, this qualitative study aimed to identify vaccination practices in this migrant group, to explore facilitators and barriers to vaccination and related acc...

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 o...

Background Despite strong recommendations, influenza vaccination in pregnacy is still a controversy in Poland. Therefore, this study evaluates vaccination uptake and its determinants, as well as knowledge about influenza among Polish pregnant women. Methods A cross-sectional study based on an anonymous questionnaire was conducted between September...

Background Influenza vaccination uptake in Poland is one of the lowest in Europe. The study objective was to evaluate influenza vaccination coverage and influencing factors among PCCs patients. Methods The study was conducted (Dec 2019-Feb 2020) among patients ≥55 years of age attending three PCCs, located in Western Poland. The anonymous question...

Background Although paramedics constitute a group of medical professionals continually at risk for sharps injuries (SI), possibly resulting in occupationally acquired bloodborne infections (BBI), data on blood exposures in this group are rather scant. Objectives To assess the incidence and selected risk factors for SI and to estimate the prevalenc...

Background: Face masks play an important role in protection from acquiring SARS-Cov-2, however, if used incorrectly they may increase transmission risk. Many countries, including Poland, currently recommend the use of masks in their pandemic control plans. The study objective was to assess the practices of the public in the case of face masks/N95 r...

Background: Face masks protect against SARS-Cov-2, however, if used incorrectly masks may increase transmission risk. Many countries, including Poland, recommend masks in pandemic control plans. In Poland, obligatory wearing of masks in public spaces was introduced on April 10th, 2020 [18]; a relaxation of previous universal measures was announced...

Background: Face masks have been employed in the COVID-19 pandemic plans as a public and personal health control measure against the spread of SARS-CoV-2. In Poland, obligatory wearing of masks in public spaces was introduced on April 10th, 2020; a relaxation of previous universal measures was announced on May 29th, 2020, limiting use to indoor pub...

Objectives: Ukrainians numbering approximately 1.2 million are the largest migrant group in Poland. Data on vaccination coverage among migrants are not collected in EU, including Poland. Therefore, this qualitative study aimed to identify vaccination practices in this group, to explore facilitators/barriers to vaccination and related access to Poli...

Objectives Ukrainians numbering approximately 1.2 million are the largest migrant group in Poland. Data on vaccination coverage among migrants are not collected in EU, including Poland. Therefore, this qualitative study aimed to identify vaccination practices in this migrant group, to explore facilitators and barriers to vaccination and related acc...

Background: Ukrainians numbering approximately 1.2 million are the largest migrant group in Poland. Data on vaccination coverage among migrants are not collected in EU, including Poland. Therefore, this qualitative study aimed to identify vaccination practices in this migrant group, to explore facilitators and barriers to vaccination and related ac...

Background: Ukrainians numbering approximately 1.2 million are the largest migrant group in Poland. Data on vaccination coverage among migrants are not collected in EU, including Poland. Therefore, this qualitative study aimed to identify vaccination practices in this migrant group, to explore facilitators and barriers to vaccination and related ac...

Background: Ukrainians numbering approximately 1.2 million are the largest migrant group in Poland. Data on vaccination coverage among migrants are not collected in EU, including Poland. Therefore, this qualitative study aimed to identify vaccination practices in this migrant group, to explore facilitators and barriers to vaccination and related ac...

Background Systematic collection of mortality/morbidity data over time is crucial for monitoring trends in population health, developing health policies, assessing the impact of health programs. In Poland, a comprehensive analysis describing trends in disease burden for major conditions has never been published. The Global Burden of Diseases, Injur...

people (9.9%), and Indonesia 32 people (8.8%). The average age was 33.0 AE 6.9 years old and 86.5% of the total was men. High school or higher education accounted for 74%. 93.7% showed positivity (95% CI: 95.7-98.9%) for measles IgG antibody and 3.6% showed equivocal. Conclusions: The measles seropositivity among immigrant workers in Korea was cons...

Background: Paramedics constitute a group of professionals constantly exposed to potentially infectious biological material through close contacts with patients, possibly resulting in occupationally acquired infections. Objectives: To assess the prevalence and to analyze selected risk factors for occupationally acquired HBV, HCV and HIV infections...

The effects of immunization with subunit inactivated quadrivalent influenza vaccine (QIV) are not generally well assessed in the elderly Polish population. Therefore, this study evaluated vaccine-induced antibody response and its determinants. Methods: Consecutive patients ≥ 55 years old, attending a Primary Care Clinic in Gryfino, Poland, receiv...

Objective: The general public influenza vaccination coverage in Poland is one of the lowest in the EU (3.7% in 2017/2018). Teachers have the potential to be a target group for immunization programs against influenza infection, however, there is yet to be a study in Poland, or even in the EU that has assessed influenza vaccine uptake among this gro...

Background The effectiveness of immunization with subunit inactivated quadrivalent influenza vaccine (QIV) in the elderly has not been sufficiently estimated. The study objective was to evaluate QIV-induced antibody response and influencing determinants in Polish elderly patients. Methods Consecutive patients ≥55 years old attending the Primary Ca...

Background In Poland, a comprehensive analysis describing trends in disease burden for major conditions has never been published. The study objective was to use the GBD database to assess disease burden in Poland, evaluate changes in population health between 1990-2017, and compare Poland with other Central European (CE) countries. Methods The res...

Background School settings place teachers at risk for influenza infection. Polish National Immunization Program recommends influenza vaccination (IV) for this occupational group. The study objective was to assess teachers’ knowledge and attitudes regarding IV, to determine 2018/2019 uptake and factors influencing the IV receipt; this has never been...

Background Paramedics constitute a group of professionals constantly exposed to potentially infectious biological material through close contacts with patients, possibly resulting in occupationally acquired infections. Objectives To assess the prevalence and to analyze selected risk factors for occupationally acquired HBV, HCV and HIV infections a...

Background Due to numerous blood exposures hospital staff are at risk of acquiring hepatitis B virus (HBV) infections. This study aimed at estimating prevalence of HBV, associated risk factors and HBV vaccination among Polish health care workers (HCWs). Methods A cross-sectional sero-survey was conducted (October 2016–January 2018) in 10 randomly...

In Poland, in addition to mandatory, free of charge vaccines, listed in the national immunization schedule, numerous self-paid vaccinations are recommended, including meningococcal vaccination (MV). To assess MV uptake among ≤5-year-old children and to evaluate parental knowledge and attitudes regarding invasive meningococcal disease (IMD). A cross...

Despite a number of studies on the risk factors of developmental delay (DD) in children conducted in developed countries, Polish data are scarce, which hinder an early diagnosis and initiation of prevention/control measures. Objective: To assess selected risk factors of DD in infants. A case-control survey was conducted in 2017–2018 on 50 infants (...

Paramedics constitute a group of professionals who are constantly exposed to potentially infectious biological material through frequent and close contact with patients, possibly resulting in occupationally acquired infections. The paper’s objective has been to assess the occupational risk regarding blood-borne infections and identify preventive me...

Background: Adolescent HPV (Human Papilloma Virus) vaccination is yet to be introduced as a mandatory program in Poland. Polish literature on factors associated with adolescent HPV vaccination is scant, despite the fact that uptake is one of the poorest in the European Union.Objectives:To assess HPV awareness and identify independent predictors for...

Background: Services offered in the esthetic/beauty industry poses the risk of blood-borne infections (BBIs) due to carrying out invasive procedures. The study objective: was to assess the number of sharps injuries, occupational risk factors, and preventive methods used among cosmetologists. Material and methods: The anonymous survey was conduct...

Objectives: The consequences of hip fractures (HFs) in elderly persons include a deterioration in functional capacity to perform activities that enable independent living. Since prior research into this issue in Central Europe is rather scant, this study sought to assess the change in activities and instrumental activities of daily living (ADL/IAD...

STUDY OBJECTIVE. A literature review to analyze potential evidence regarding the influence of Δ32 CCR5gene mutation on resistance to/clinical recovery from HBV infection. METHODS. Literature search, covering the period 1996-2017, was performed using Medline. Comparative between-studies analysis was conducted with regard to reliability as well as st...

Introduction: The aim of the study was to evaluate acceptance of compulsory premarital HIV testing (PHT) among high-school students, and factors associated with support for various options given a positive result, before/after an educational intervention. Material and methods: A pre-/post-interventional evaluation survey was conducted in 70 randoml...

Objective : To evaluate the beliefs of medical university students regarding male circumcision (MC), as well as attitudes and the predictors of its promotion in the case of adults at risk of HIV.Methods:A cross-sectional survey was conducted between 2013-2016 at the Medical University in Szczecin, Poland, among final year Polish/foreign students fr...

Abstract Background A two-dose preoperative vaccination schedule against HBV has been the widely accepted policy in Poland. However, its effectiveness has not yet been assessed. Objective: To evaluate a two-dose preoperative HBV vaccination policy by an assessment of the proportion of patients who don’t present a protective level of anti-HBs (180 d...

Methods: A cross-sectional study was conducted (November 2015-April 2016) among consecutive patients admitted to a municipal hospital located in the city of Szczecin, North-west Poland. Patients completed researcher-administered, anonymous questionnaires on socio- demographic data/factors related to the vaccination. Results: The response rate: 92....

Background: Objectives of the study: to assess the occupational risk for blood-borne infections (BBIs) among prison staff (number/ circumstances of blood exposures and preventive methods used), and to estimate the prevalence of hepatitis B virus (HBV), hepatitis C virus (HCV) and human immunodeficiency virus (HIV). Material and methods: The surv...

Objective: To assess the correlates of the high risk sexual behaviors of Polish migrants in the United Kingdom (UK) after 2004, and to compare such behaviors before/after immigration. Methods: In 2013, a cross-sectional study was conducted through the use of a Computer-assisted web interviewing surveying technique with the use of a self-administere...

Background: Chemokine genetic variations are involved in infectious diseases such as hepatitis B virus (HBV). Several allelic variants might, in theory, affect the outcome of vaccination. Objectives: This study was carried out to examine the associations of Δ32 CCR5 and 190G > A CCR2 polymorphisms with a response to a primary course of three HBV va...

Study objective: A literature review to analyze potential evidence regarding the influence of Δ32 CCR5 gene mutation on resistance to/clinical recovery from HBV infection Methods: Literature search, covering the period 1996-2017, was performed using Medline. Comparative between-studies analysis was conducted with regard to reliability as well as...

In February 2016, the World Health Organization declared the Zika virus (ZIK V) a global health emergency due to the rapid spread of this infection. ZIK V has been responsible for major outbreaks in Africa and Asia, and between 2013–2015, in previously infection-naive territories of the Pacific area, South and Central America. Poland is not conside...

Background Medical staff members are exposed to the risk of sharps injuries, which may result in contracting blood-borne infections. The objective of this quasi-experimental pre-test/post-test research study was to examine the effectiveness of an intervention designed through a participatory process to improve knowledge and safe work practices, as...

Background Hip fractures may reduce older people’s chances of remaining independent. The study objective was to describe determinants of recovery of physical functioning after hip fracture in older people. Methods A prospective study was conducted on patients who sustained hip fracture, operated on at the tertiary hospital in Gorzow, Poland. Physi...

It is well known that community awareness of hepatitis B (HB) can lead to vaccination and testing. The study objectives were to assess the prevalence of HBV infection and knowledge of HB among adult patients attending randomly selected primary care clinics. A cross-sectional sero-survey was conducted in March 2013 in the Zgorzelec region, Poland, w...

In February 2016 the WHO declared Zika virus (ZIKV) a global health emergency. Because of the time association between the ZIKV infection in the first and second trimester of pregnancy and presence of congenital nervous system malformations, together with the detectable pathogen in amniotic fluid and fetal tissues, a possible teratogenic influence...

In the last years, attention has been paid to Zika virus (ZIKV) infection, the emerging vector-borne disease. It is responsible for major outbreaks in Africa, Asia and, more recently, in previously infection-naïve territories of the Pacific area, South America and Caribbean. The etiology, epidemiology, transmission, and clinical manifestations of Z...

Background Hepatitis B is a significant health burden in Poland with nosocomial transmission being the main source of infection. Therefore, HBV vaccination is widely recommended for those not covered by the national immunisation program. Objective: To assess the coverage and influencing determinants of HBV vaccination among adult patients attending...

STUDY OBJECTIVE. An analysis of HPV vaccination strategies and vaccination coverage in adolescent girls worldwide for the last eight years with regard to potential improvement of vaccination coverage rates in Poland. METHODS. Literature search, covering the period 2006–2014, was performed using Medline. Comparative analysis of HPV vaccination strat...

All medical staff and travellers to the Arabian Peninsula should be aware of a new epidemic caused by Middle East respiratory syndrome coronavirus (MERS-CoV), which has emerged in the Arabian Peninsula (2012), secondary cases have been seen in Africa, Europe, Asia and the United States. It seems likely that the outbreak will continue with sporadic...

The bicentenary of John Snow’s birth, a doctor most well-known for discovering epidemiology and the preventability of cholera, creates a unique opportunity to remember this iconic figure and his spectacular achievements. The article describes his meticulous research in this field, including the investigation of a cholera outbreak and the famous int...

Immunization is an important and cost-effective public health intervention to protect the population from illness. In Poland, in addition to free of charge vaccines, listed in the national program on immunization, self-paid vaccinations for pneumococcal, meningococcal, rotavirus, varicella, influenza infections and combination vaccines are recommen...

Immunization is important and cost-effective public health intervention which has a power to protect children from illness and disability. In Poland in addition to free or charge vaccines, listed in the national program on immunization, paid vaccinations are recommended, like pneumococcal, meningococcal, rotavirus, varicella, influenza or combinati...

A 2-dose vaccination schedule against HBV before surgery is widely accepted in Poland, however, has not been evaluated. Objective To estimate the fraction of patients vaccinated against HBV before surgery with a 2-dose schedule and to assess levels of anti-HBs in this group. Methods Consecutive patients from surgical wards of 16 randomly sele...

Issues regarding the transmission of blood-borne viruses from infected medical personnel to patients are controversial to both parties. The aim of this study was to evaluate the attitudes towards disclosure of HBV/HCV/HIV-infected surgeons and the possibility of being forced to give up surgical procedures, as well as to assess the prevalence of ant...

The risk of acquiring the hepatitis C virus (HCV) through percutaneous occupational exposure is dependent on three key variables: number of injuries, probability of a percutaneous injury transmitting HCV and prevalence of HCV infection in the patient population. To estimate the prevalence of HCV infection in the gynaecological/obstetric patient pop...

Objectives: To assess the prevalence of anti-hepatitis C virus (HCV) in surgical nurses and midwives, to compare the rate with other female groups (their patients from the same hospitals and blood donation candidates) in a cross-sectional serosurvey, and to evaluate the alleged risk factors for acquiring an occupational infection. Methods: Betwe...

The aim of the study was to assess the occupational risk for hepatitis B, C and HIV in gynecologic and obstetric staff in the context of the number of sharps injuries, HBV immunization coverage, compliance with personal protective equipment (PPE) use and reporting of exposures. A voluntary anonymous survey was carried out between January-June 2009...

The aim of the study was to evaluate the nature and frequency of sharps injuries among doctors and nurses from the same surgical/gynecological wards and the prevalence of HBV/HCV/HIV infection. An anonymous cross-sectional sero-survey, with ELISA system used to detect anti-HBc, anti-HCV, anti-HIV, was conducted among 89 doctors and 414 nurses from...

Hepatitis B vaccination, recommended for medical staff, has a non-response rate of 5% to 32%. In Poland, there is no standardized postvaccination protocol to verify immunity. To determine the fraction of those who have been vaccinated against HBV (with a complete course followed/not followed by a booster) but not checked for serological evidence of...

Surgical and midwifery staff are at risk of acquiring occupational blood-borne infections. Controversial results have been reported about HCV. Objective of this cross-sectional sero-epidemiological study was to assess the prevalence of HCV in nurses from surgical/gynaecological wards of 16 randomly selected hospitals in West Pomeranian region of Po...

Hepatitis B vaccination is recommended for HCWs but has a non-response rate of 5%–32%. In Poland there is no standardised post-vaccination protocol to confirm immunity. Objective To determine the fraction of those who were previously vaccinated but not checked for serologic evidence of hepatitis B immunity and to assess anti-HBs levels in that gro...