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A Step towards Understanding and Tackling Health Inequalities: The Use of Secondary Prevention Services and the Need for Health Promotion in a Rural Setting

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  • Monika Karasiewicz

    (Department of Preventive Medicine, Poznan University of Medical Sciences, 60-781 Poznan, Poland)

  • Ewelina Chawłowska

    (Department of Preventive Medicine, Poznan University of Medical Sciences, 60-781 Poznan, Poland)

  • Agnieszka Lipiak

    (Department of Preventive Medicine, Poznan University of Medical Sciences, 60-781 Poznan, Poland)

  • Barbara Więckowska

    (Department of Computer Science and Statistics, Poznan University of Medical Sciences, 60-806 Poznan, Poland)

Abstract

Poland has recently intensified its health promotion in an effort to extend healthy life expectancy and reduce health inequalities. Our aim was to reach a deprived rural population, increase its health literacy, and explore its use of and barriers to cancer screening and public health care. A CBPR study was conducted in one of the poorest districts in Wielkopolska region, Poland, among 122 beneficiaries of health education workshops. A self-developed questionnaire was used. The reported barriers to participation in cancer screening included: lack of time, lack of need, or feeling healthy (32.8%); long waiting times (17.2%); fear of costs (9%). Physicians seldom recommended screening to their patients. Only 7.4% of respondents had ever received dermatoscopy. Among women, 18.2% did not perform any breast exams and 25% had never had smear tests. Diagnostics was often financed out of pocket (thyroid ultrasound = 58.1%; smear test = 48.5%; breast ultrasound = 36.8%). The health system needs mentioned by participants included better access to physicians (65.6%), promotion of free screening tests (54.9%), and access to public health programmes (22.1%). There is an urgent need to translate national strategies into action. Health promotion and better access to care must become priorities in deprived areas, while primary care providers should become key figures in delivering these services.

Suggested Citation

  • Monika Karasiewicz & Ewelina Chawłowska & Agnieszka Lipiak & Barbara Więckowska, 2021. "A Step towards Understanding and Tackling Health Inequalities: The Use of Secondary Prevention Services and the Need for Health Promotion in a Rural Setting," IJERPH, MDPI, vol. 18(16), pages 1-18, August.
    • Handle: RePEc:gam:jijerp:v:18:y:2021:i:16:p:8492-:d:612491
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    1. Muzhe Pan & Yaofu Huang & Yawen Qin & Xun Li & Wei Lang, 2022. "Problems and Strategies of Allocating Public Service Resources in Rural Areas in the Context of County Urbanization," IJERPH, MDPI, vol. 19(21), pages 1-20, November.
    2. Mingyue Wen & Liao Liao & Yilin Wang & Xunzhi Zhou, 2022. "Effects of Healthcare Policies and Reforms at the Primary Level in China: From the Evidence of Shenzhen Primary Care Reforms from 2018 to 2019," IJERPH, MDPI, vol. 19(4), pages 1-19, February.

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