[Evaluation of health conditions in orphanages in Poland]

The reported study was carried out in all orphanages controlled by the health conditions in these homes and inquiry form was evolved which made possible recording of deviations from the required state of hygiene and from the sanitary-technical requirements. In the realization of the study workers of the children and youths hygiene of the sanitary-epidemiological stations were participating. These workers supervised normally these homes in their areas. Out of 327 homes 93% were run by the state, 6% by the church and 1% by foundations; 30% of the homes were in rural areas, 45% in small towns, and 25% in province capitals. In 1995 these homes housed 16,471 inmates, 8,839 boys and 7,632 girls. On the basis of the obtained information it could be said that the health conditions varied greatly between these homes, and depended in a high degree on the care shown for the good of the inmates, and on the commitment of the staff. The poor sanitary-epidemiological conditions in certain homes were due to poor technical state of the buildings exploited during many years. Faulty were noted also due to negligence of the users of these homes. It is necessary to undertake current and remote future actions for improving these conditions of orphanages from the viewpoint of hygiene.