Cardiovascular diseases prevention in Poland: results of WOBASZ and WOBASZ II studies

Background: Cardiovascular diseases are the main cause of morbidity and an important cause of disability and premature death in European countries. Current guidelines recommend prevention delivery by physicians during medical consultations. Aim: We sought to evaluate the prevention support offered by Polish physicians in 2013–2014 compared to 2003–2005, and its determinants. Methods: The data from two population surveys were analysed: WOBASZ (6392 men and 7153 women, aged 20–74 years, screened in 2003–2005) and WOBASZ II (2751 men and 3418 women, aged ≥ 20 years, screened in 2013–2014). For comparison analysis, the population of WOBASZ II was restricted to persons aged 20–74 years. Prevention delivery was assessed using a questionnaire. Results: Overall, 64% of men and 75% of women screened in 2003–2005 consulted their physicians at least once in the preceding year; 10 years later these rates were 70% and 82%, respectively. In both studies, 70% of respondents recalled having received one piece of prevention advice during a medical consultation. One-third of participants neither received any prevention advice nor had their blood pressure or cholesterol level measured. In WOBASZ II we observed a significant increase in the frequency of counselling regarding smoking cessation, nutrition, and increased physical activity, as well as in the frequency of cholesterol measurements, compared to WOBASZ. The prevention support was related to the health status. Conclusions: The prevention support in the years 2013–2014 was better than in 2003–2005, but was still insufficient. About one-third of participants did not receive any preventive advice. The prevention support was offered more often to patients with worse health status