Stroke and cancer - investigating the prevalence of fear among the polish population. cross-sectional study

Background The World Health Organization (WHO) routinely compiles a catalogue of prevalent fatal diseases, which often evoke substantial apprehension among individuals afflicted. Purpose This study sought to discern the primary diseases eliciting fear among the Polish populace, while also examining the influence of demographic variables on the intensity of this fear. Methods A cross-sectional investigation was undertaken in June 2023, encompassing a representative cohort of adult Polish citizens (n=804). Data collection employed a structured questionnaire administered via the Computer-Assisted Web Interviewing (CAWI) technique, facilitating quantitative analysis. Results Analysis of the study revealed that a substantial proportion of participants expressed significant apprehension towards cancer, notably with 62.3% attributing their fear to both a very great extent and a relatively great extent. Similarly, a notable concern was observed towards stroke, with 51.2% of respondents expressing considerable apprehension towards this condition. Notably, coronary heart disease (CHD) emerged as one of the top concerns, with 37.3% of respondents expressing significant fear, both to a very great extent and a relatively great extent (Figure 1A). Furthermore, gender and age-related disparities in fear responses were explored. Our findings indicate a statistically significant discrepancy in the fear of stroke, with women exhibiting a higher level of apprehension compared to men (p=0.029). Additionally, age stratification revealed that individuals between the ages of 35 and 64 exhibited significantly heightened fear towards stroke (p<0.001) (see Figure 1B and 1C). Moreover, the analysis identified distinct demographic correlates associated with the fear of CHD. Specifically, individuals aged between 50 and 64 years demonstrated a notably heightened level of fear towards this condition (p < 0.001). Additionally, respondents with a college education exhibited significantly increased fear towards CHD (p = 0.016) (see Figure 2A and 2B). Conclusions These findings underscore the importance of understanding the socio-demographic determinants of health-related fears within the Polish population. Such insights are crucial for tailoring targeted interventions aimed at alleviating anxieties and promoting public health awareness and resilience.