Public image of coronavirus infection prevention in 2020—2021

Abstract

Objective. To study the public attitudes towards responsibility for their health, the level of attendance at health centers and medical prevention departments/clinics, and the activity of healthcare professionals in engaging the population in a healthy lifestyle. Material and methods. We analyzed the current issues of the work of healthcare organizations, including medical prevention units/offices and health centers in Russia, from the point of view of the population. A mass survey of the population was conducted via personal semi-formalized interviews at the place of residence (apartment survey) using a specific questionnaire. The sample size was 1,630 subjects. The quality and accessibility of health care were assessed using case studies: respondents were asked to rate based on their most recent visits to a doctor/health care provider. Results. Based on an analysis of the 2020—2021 studies, the authors found that the high level of awareness in the vast majority of the population of their personal responsibility for their health does not result in high attendance at health prevention units/clinics and health centers. The attendance was not even influenced by the high level of patients' satisfaction with medical recommendations. According to the authors, this process is negatively influenced by the low involvement of healthcare providers in healthy lifestyle promotion, the usefulness of consultations at medical prevention departments/clinics and health centers, and the low awareness of the population on this issue. Conclusion. The study showed the need to increase the intensity of Russia-wide information campaigns on preventing non-communicable diseases and promoting healthy lifestyles, especially outside the capital regions, and the importance of improving the quality of information messages.