| Abstract [eng] |
The aim of the research was to examine the peculiarities of health inequalities in Visaginas city by assessing the differences in the attitudes of the population and possible barriers to participation in cardiovascular disease and colon cancer prevention programs. Methodology of the research. Two methods were chosen for the research: 1. collection and analysis of statistical data and 2. quantitative research. Statistical data were collected from open sources: Lithuanian Department of Statistics, Lithuanian Health Indicators System of the Institute of Hygiene, Sveidra, State Health Insurance Fund. Quantitative research data were processed using statistical analysis SPSS version 26 software package, applying the T criterion of independent samples, Pearson correlation coefficient, Spirman rank correlation coefficient, Cronbach’s α coefficient and by performing Crosstabs analysis, and Chi-square test. Results of the research. Health inequalities in the population of Visaginas municipality may be affected by average life expectancy, long-term unemployment rate, number of recipients of social benefits, and the fact that the population participates more in the cardiovascular disease prevention program than in the colon cancer prevention program. During the research, 369 subjects were interviewed, and it was found that men value their current health status, quality of life, their health compared to their peers, and physical (body) health better than women, women evaluate only their mental (emotional) health better. Women are more informed than men about both the cardiovascular disease prevention program and colon cancer prevention program. More women than men are involved in cardiovascular disease and colon cancer prevention programs. Participation in cardiovascular disease and colon cancer prevention programs is more active if there is not a language barrier and a university education for men and a higher education for women. The factor in not participating in cardiovascular and colon cancer prevention programs is the fact that respondents were not informed about the possibility of participating in the programs free of charge, incentives – if respondents did not have to wait long for a scheduled visit to the doctor. More respondents rely on the knowledge of health professionals in diagnosing cardiovascular disease than colon cancer. |
