Abstract
Background
Inappropriate habits and behaviour patterns are risk factors for most chronic non-communicable diseases. Prevention and education are one of the continuous tasks of public health professionals. Primary preventive care requires an active approach from the health professionals.
Methods
This program includes preventive examination and certain laboratory tests persons older than 55 who did not visit their family doctor at least two years. 721 persons were examined and interviewed from 2014 to 2018. The paper shows analytic results expressed in percentages of the prevalence and 95% confidence interval (CI).
Results
A total of 721 patients were included. Sex ratio male:female was 0.47. The age (mean) was 61.4 years [standard deviation (SD) = 9.1]. Up to three alcoholic drinks per week consumed 22.1% respondents (37.1% male and 11.9% female). There were 24.1% smokers and 14.6% former smokers. Overweight (BMI 25-30) were 44.4% male and 36.3% female. Obese (BMI>30) were 27.6% male and 30.3% female. Digitorectal examination was performed in 582 persons and detected pathological phenomena in 10.3% female and 19.4% male. Hypertension was found in 14.9% male and 18.2% female. Isolated systolic hypertension was found in 19.8% male and 16.7% female, and isolated diastolic hypertension in 3.9% male and 3.5% female. Suspicion on one or more newly diagnosed disease was placed in 55.9% (95% CI 52.3-59.5) respondents. In total, there was a suspicion of 696 newly diagnosed diseases. Newly diagnosed diseases were disorders of lipoprotein metabolism (n = 156, 21.6%), followed by hypertension (n = 69, 9.6%), obesity (n = 52, 7.2%) and independent of insulin diabetes (n = 51, 7,1%). 53 persons [7,4% (95% CI 5,4-9,3)] had suspected neoplasm and they were immediately referred for further diagnostic evaluation.
Conclusions
The public health significance of such programs with active approach and detecting malignant state as early as possible is extremely important.
Key messages
Primary preventive care requires an active approach from the health professionals. Detecting chronic non-communicable diseases in earlier phase is important and confirms the public health significance of prevention programs.
The Public Health Leadership and Implementation Academy (PH-LEADER) for Non-Communicable Diseases
