Prevention and Health

The Social Affairs Department of the Municipal Office compiled a list of prevention and health programs financed from the budget of the City of Bolesławiec in 2013.

In 2013, the following health programs were implemented by entities selected through a competition:

• “Screening tests – prevention of breast diseases in women” – the program was implemented by the “Stomadent” Medical Center in Bolesławiec. The “Screening tests – prevention of breast diseases in women” program complemented the program financed by the National Health Fund and made it possible to provide free examinations to women aged 40 to 50 and women over 69. Women whose examinations had been financed by the Municipality of Bolesławiec in 2012 were not eligible for the program, except where a repeat examination was recommended by a doctor. As part of the program, the following were performed: breast mammography together with instruction in breast self-examination; mammographic image interpretation; breast ultrasound
  During the program, i.e. from March to December 2013, 194 women reported for examinations, representing 3.5% of Bolesławiec’s female residents (born between 1962 and 1972 and before 1943). Mammograms were performed on 199 women, while 175 women underwent breast ultrasound examinations. PLN 28,410 was spent
• “Prevention of vision disorders in children” – the program was implemented by physician Elżbieta Ośko, who runs an Individual Specialist Medical Practice. First-grade primary school children underwent visual acuity tests, computerized vision-defect tests and fundus examinations; their parents were also advised on further procedures if abnormalities were found. A total of 207 students, or 76.38% of the total number of first-grade children whose parents had declared their willingness to use the free examinations, reported for testing. Vision defects were found in 45 cases. All the children received further treatment outside the program. The program was implemented from April to June 2013. PLN 5,175 was spent for this purpose
• “Prevention of tooth decay in children” – the program was implemented by the Caritas Care Station of the Legnica Diocese. Under the agreement, the entity implementing the program was required to review the condition of the oral cavity and assess dental health, with particular attention to the presence of carious lesions and malocclusion (dental charts), among second-grade children attending Bolesławiec public primary schools, and to advise parents on further procedures if abnormalities were found. A total of 325 students, or 90% of all second-grade children, reported for examinations. Permanent-tooth decay was found in 27 cases, while 46 cases required orthodontic treatment. Compared with the previous year, the number of children with permanent-tooth decay decreased by 4.1%, and the number of children requiring an orthodontist visit decreased by 4.4%. The program was implemented from March to June 2013. PLN 8,000 was spent
• “Screening for postural and lower-limb defects in preschool children” – the program was implemented by Miejski Zakład Rehabilitacji Leczniczej Sp. z o.o. in Bolesławiec. As part of the program, three- and six-year-old children were examined using specialist measuring instruments. Each examined child received a certificate (examination card) containing information about existing lower-limb and postural defects. Group supervisors passed the cards on to the parents. Based on the information in the cards, both group supervisors and parents were advised on further procedures if any defect was present. A total of 456 children were examined, representing 80% of all three- and six-year-olds. Abnormalities were found in 89 children, or 19.5%. PLN 11,856 was spent for this purpose

Furthermore, the Association of People with Disabilities in Bolesławiec implemented a health-protection task entitled “Rehabilitation of people with disabilities through rehabilitation stays.” A total of 320 people with disabilities went on rehabilitation stays במסגרת this task. The Municipality of Bolesławiec subsidized the cost of travel to the stays. The Municipality of Bolesławiec supported implementation of this task with PLN 5,000.

The Bolesławiec “Amazons” Club implemented the task “Breast cancer prevention – providing assistance to women after mastectomy.” Fifty-five women benefited from exercises preventing lymphedema and classes teaching self-massage of the upper limb, with financial support of PLN 4,000.

As part of the municipality’s own tasks related to preventing alcoholism and combating drug addiction, the following prevention programs were implemented:

• “Scouts say no to nicotine, alcohol and drugs” – the Polish Scouting and Guiding Association implemented the “Program for Preventing Addictions of the Bolesławiec ZHP Szare Szeregi Troop in 2013.” The program was addressed to children and young people affiliated with the association, as well as those who participated occasionally in scouting initiatives. Its aim was to expand activities based on scouting methodology with content designed to prevent the use of psychoactive substances, promote care for one’s own health and encourage responsible direction of one’s life. Approximately 120 children and young people participated in the program. The task was implemented from June to December 2013. PLN 9,500 was spent
• “Stop demoralization” – the Association of Voluntary Labour Corps, Voluntary Labour Corps 1-3 in Bolesławiec, implemented activities related to preventing drug addiction entitled “Stop! Demoralization.” The program involved year-round individual and group work with Labour Corps participants divided into groups. Work with young people focused on building proper interpersonal relationships, self-knowledge and education about the risks associated with using psychoactive substances. Psychological, therapeutic and educational activities were combined with active recreation, intended to promote a healthy lifestyle. Approximately 140 OHP members participated in the program. The cost of implementing the task was PLN 10,200
• The “Sports Saturdays 2013” program was implemented through sports and recreational activities for children and young people during their free time from school, with educational elements concerning prevention and addiction-related problems. The program was addressed to schoolchildren from Bolesławiec primary and lower-secondary schools. Its objectives included improving physical fitness through regular sports and recreational activities and providing children, young people and their parents with knowledge about addiction-related issues in the broadest sense. In 2013, the sports and recreational activities were expanded to include swimming-pool classes at the Bolesławiec “Orka” Water Park, and animation activities were launched on the playing field at Primary School No. 4. A total of 220 hours of classes were held for approximately 1,200 students, as well as 132 hours of pool activities attended by approximately 120 people. The task was carried out by teachers from Bolesławiec primary and lower-secondary schools. PLN 30,000 was used to implement the activities.

Furthermore: the Municipal Sports and Recreation Center was commissioned to implement various prevention and development programs increasing the effectiveness of measures addressing behavioral disorders resulting from the use of psychoactive substances. An important activity was organizing free time for Bolesławiec residents, especially children and young people, in forms offering alternatives to psychoactive substances, the Internet, computer games and other pathological phenomena, including:

• “Active winter break – a holiday without boredom” – a series of events with educational elements (636 active participants, approximately 250 passive participants); approximately 900 people were covered by the educational campaign;
• “Sports holidays – holidays without boredom” – a series of events providing children and young people with an alternative way to spend their free time (4,730 active participants; approximately 1,800 passive participants – parents and spectators); approximately 6,500 people were covered by the educational campaign.

As part of the “Live Actively” program, the following were organized:

• The Summer Spartakiad of Community Youth Clubs – 108 people from Bolesławiec prevention and community clubs participated, accompanied by supervisors;
• the “To Your Health – Live Actively and Healthily” festival – a sports and recreational event with educational elements (278 active participants; approximately 200 passive participants – parents, spectators and viewers); approximately 500 people were covered by the educational campaign;
• The Winter Spartakiad of Community Youth Clubs – 85 people from Bolesławiec prevention and community clubs participated, accompanied by supervisors. PLN 19,964 was used to implement the activities.

As part of tasks arising from the Municipal Program for the Prevention and Resolution of Alcohol-Related Problems and the Municipal Drug-Prevention Program, funding was provided, among other things, for therapeutic classes aimed at increasing access to therapeutic and rehabilitation assistance for people addicted to alcohol, co-dependent people and adult children of alcoholics, with the goal of halting the disease at particular stages; equipping participants with skills for coping with alcohol cravings; and, in the case of co-dependent people and adult children of alcoholics, developing skills for coping with stress associated with living in a family affected by an alcohol problem. In 2013, 295 addicted patients used the facility’s counseling and treatment services, including 212 men. A total of 115 patients were treated there for the first time, including 86 men. The total number of visits to the facility was 3,600 (individual consultations, diagnostic medical and psychiatric visits, psychological consultations, psychotherapy sessions, family sessions and crisis interventions). As part of therapeutic assistance, 277 group therapy meetings were held, totaling 666 hours. The counseling center offered classes in the afternoons and on public holidays, ensuring access to therapeutic activities. The cost of implementing the program was PLN 19,260.

Funding was provided for the operation of the Drug Addiction Information and Consultation Point by the “My Razem” Addiction Information and Rehabilitation Center Association. The point’s main activities included consultations and information, preliminary addiction diagnosis, therapeutic interviews, arranging detoxification and arranging a place in therapy. People seeking anonymity were informed about self-help groups available in the city and surrounding area. People with problems involving violence were referred to the Information and Consultation Point for Domestic Violence. In 2013, organization members conducted an information campaign in Bolesławiec schools; folders and leaflets were distributed about opportunities to obtain assistance related to drug addiction. PLN 10,800 was spent. In 2013, prevention and development programs were financed to increase the effectiveness of measures addressing behavioral disorders resulting from experimenting with psychoactive substances, family dysfunction, domestic violence and peer aggression. Activities were conducted at the “Orka” indoor swimming pool. The programs were addressed to second-grade primary school and lower-secondary school students. An average of approximately 780 students participated. A total of 292 hours of classes were held. PLN 129,564 was spent for this purpose.

Activities were financed at prevention and community clubs operating at schools (cost: PLN 41,669), parishes (cost: PLN 52,000) and the club run by “TOP” Club (cost: PLN 36,000). The “Razem” Association Against Violence received funding to operate the Information and Consultation Point for People Experiencing Domestic Violence in Bolesławiec, at 7 Cicha Street, at the MOPS headquarters, in the first half of 2013. In the second half of the year, operation of the point was moved to 13/7 Mikołaja Brody Street. The substantive scope of activities involved providing support and assistance to people affected by violence: consultant duty services (assistance in 209 cases), legal assistance (in 160 cases), funding the association’s operating costs, and improving knowledge and skills for coping with crisis situations. PLN 15,000 was spent for this purpose.

The District Board of the Polish Red Cross was entrusted with operating the Family Support Point at the Board’s headquarters at 32A Tysiąclecia Avenue. The task supported the local coalition system for preventing domestic violence. Psychological and legal counseling was provided to people experiencing violence. A total of 473 legal consultations were provided (concerning civil law, family law, administrative law, social assistance and labor law). Eleven people used psychological assistance. PLN 3,000 was spent for this purpose.

The tasks of the “Municipal Program for Preventing Domestic Violence and Protecting Victims of Domestic Violence for 2010–2015” were implemented through psychological and mediation counseling (February–August), provided by the Parish of the Assumption of the Blessed Virgin Mary and St. Nicholas. Thirty-two people received assistance during that period. Activities continued from September 10, 2013, to December 31, 2013, at 2 Kościelna Street; the implementing body was the Municipal Social Welfare Center, which initiated the Support Center for People Affected by Violence. Eighty Bolesławiec residents received consultation and mediation assistance. The main objective of the program was to limit domestic violence and its consequences in the city of Bolesławiec. During the period discussed, 80 people received consultation and mediation assistance. The cost of implementing the task was PLN 18,345.

(commissioned information: Bolesławiec Municipal Office)