Too few Poles still use preventive examinations, especially in small towns where access to examinations and specialists is difficult. They are also the most neglected group, but at the same time they are ready to conduct analyzes and consult with specialists if they have such an opportunity. The results of a study conducted as part of the Adamed for Rodzina campaign show how important it is to prevent heart and respiratory diseases, diabetes and cancer.
Every tenth woman has never done a cytology, every fourth woman has never had a prophylactic ultrasound of the mammary glands. Nearly half of men over 40 have never had a PSA test, according to some of the results of this year’s Adamed for the Family survey. This year’s campaign consisted of two parts: preventive check-ups and health and lifestyle surveys. This year the campaign was carried out in six cities (Pabianice, Kołobrzeg, Leszno, Katowice, Elk and Nowy Sacz). It was possible not only to carry out cardiological, pulmonological, ophthalmological, diabetic and ultrasound examinations, but also to take advantage of urologist consultations, psychological workshops and psychiatric consultations.
Poles are not diagnosed
As usual, interest in such actions was high, which suggests that the Poles want to get tested and take advantage of preventive examinations, but they need to be facilitated and organized.
The results showed how necessary this type of action is. 40% of patients received an incorrect result on ultrasound, more than 50% of men over 40 were diagnosed with prostatic hyperplasia. After echocardiography, 23% of patients were referred for a consultation with a cardiologist in connection with the identified disorders. 30% of people had abnormal spirometry results, 25% had abnormal glycated hemoglobin, and 23% had abnormal lipidogram results. The disease was diagnosed in 46% of patients during an ophthalmological examination.
- All information and social campaigns or the possibility of using the services of specialists, for example, conducting tests, show how it is necessary, for example, measuring sugar, cholesterol, measuring blood pressure, consulting a nutritionist, visiting an ophthalmologist. Pain, such as a headache, can often accompany an undiagnosed visual defect or other eye disease, says Prof. Malgorzata Janas-Kozik, pediatrician, specialist in child and adolescent psychiatry, authorized representative of the Ministry of Health for child and adolescent psychiatry. – During the seminar, the topic of mental hygiene was discussed in a broad sense, starting with proper nutrition, the number of hours of sleep, active rest, which helps to achieve both physical and mental health and better cope with current problems – adds prof. Zhanas-Kozik.
Gaps in health care - report “The state of health of the Poles”
A survey was also part of the campaign, in which more than 1,000 patients from all regions took part. – What is important: about 40% of them come from villages or small towns. When we talk about prevention, chronic diseases, access to screening tests or specialized care, this is a target group that is usually underestimated and has difficult access to specialists, notes Prof. Maciej Kupczyk, President of the Polish Society of Allergists.
Based on the results of the surveys, the report “The Health of the Poles” was prepared, presenting the current picture of the state of health in Poland. The report shows that only 10% of patients currently rate their health as very good and 50% as good. - This may be due to the high prevalence of lifestyle diseases among those included in the study: 30% were diagnosed with arterial hypertension, 18% had a history of cardiovascular disease, 13% had depression, 10% had diabetes, and more than 6 % - cancer, - said prof. . Filip Szymanski, President of the Polish Society for the Diseases of Civilization.
prof. However, Shimansky notes that we often assess our health as better than it really is, or are not aware of health problems. So, only 16% of respondents declared a diagnosis of hypercholesterolemia. - Given the results of previous studies (NATPOL 2011 - more than 60% of the adult population), this may indicate an underestimation of this diagnosis and the need to prescribe a lipidogram more often among adult Poles (only every second Pole declared a lipidogram in the last year) - says prof. Shimansky.
Too infrequent visits to the doctor
One in four respondents had visited a therapist more than a year ago. The vast majority have never visited such specialists as: diabetologist, psychologist, psychiatrist. Every third respondent visited a urologist or gynecologist more than a year ago. 8.2% of respondents have never visited an ophthalmologist, and almost half visited him more than a year ago.
- An alarming fact from the analysis of the results is the refusal to visit a doctor for financial reasons, which was announced by 1/3 of the patients, - points out prof. Shimansky.
Lifestyle gets in the way
The lifestyle part of the study was also of concern.
- More than half of the respondents said that they eat meat most often, more than 2/5 of the respondents eat fast food once a month, more than 1/4 admitted that they drink sweet drinks several times a month (27.5%). 6 out of 10 respondents admitted to drinking alcohol, 2/5 of them that they drink alcohol several times a month. More than 30 percent of the respondents admitted that they smoke cigarettes - adds prof. Shimansky.
Depressed mood and sleep problems
The report also showed that there are very serious mental health problems. Over 13% reported depression as the most common mental illness, and 21.3% reported emotional, mental, or physical exhaustion at work. About 30% of people reported insomnia or sleepiness during the day.
Sleep problems, emotional and mental exhaustion at work were most often reported by young people. More than 1/3 of the respondents said that they experience stressful situations even several times a week. – The report showed how few Poles consult a psychologist or psychiatrist. There can be many reasons for this state, for example, shame that they could not cope on their own, underestimation of the need for help in the emotional sphere, best explained not only by difficult access to specialists, but also by lack of time. 63% of the respondents have never used the help of a psychologist, and 69.1% - the help of a psychiatrist, says prof. Malgorzata Janas-Kozik.
Examinations and consultations - closer to the patient
The campaign showed once again that the Poles want to be tested, but expect to be encouraged to take tests and carry them out closer to where they live.
– The health status and lifestyle of Poles shown in the report shows that it is still necessary to inform people about the importance of prevention. Educating patients about the impact of lifestyle on the possibility of developing lifestyle-related diseases is the first step in encouraging them to get screenings. However, only the possibility of examinations and consultations with a doctor, as well as the universal availability of a medical offer, are the key to success. Otherwise, we will not improve the health of our population - we will not reduce the so-called. Poland’s health care debt. Campaigns like this one from Adamed are valuable because they give a large social group the opportunity to take advantage of an offer that is not available daily in their place of residence,” says prof. Philip Szymanski, President of the Society for Diseases of Civilization.
Source: Wprost
