Factors influencing the involvement of the Russian Federation citizens to preventive measures

Enhancing public engagement in preventive initiatives, particularly among youth, is a pressing issue that requires examining the motivational and hindering factors influencing citizen involvement in prevention activities. Objective. To evaluate the determinants of the Russian public’s participation in preventive health activities. Materials and methods. A cross-sectional online survey (Computer-Assisted Web Interviewing [CAWI]) was conducted among 1.601 participants aged 18 and older across 85 regions of the Russian Federation between June and September 2025. A specifically designed, validated questionnaire focused on citizen participation in preventive activities was employed, which included four sections and 37 questions. The inclusion criteria for the study were the following: males and females aged 18 years or older; citizens of the Russian Federation; and consent to participate in the study (completion and submission of the questionnaire were considered equivalent to providing informed consent). The sample was representative of the population with respect to gender, age, and educational background. Statistical analysis of the findings was performed using Statistica for Windows version 13.0, Stata, and R-studio. Results. Among the respondents who engaged in preventive activities (n=548), stronger reasons related to health consciousness were observed. In particular, they were more likely to express a wish to avoid reliance on their well-being during significant life changes (46.2% vs. 33.1%; OR=1.73; 95% CI 1.41—2.14), as well as a desire to be more successful in various life domains (20.4% vs. 14.2%; OR=1.56; 95% CI 1.19—2.04). The perception of no need to prioritize health was significantly more common among those who did not engage in preventive activities (7.8% vs. 2.9%; OR=0.36; 95% CI 0.21—0.62). In addition, a direct correlation was found between participation in prevention activities and the respondents’ sense of personal accountability for their health (p=0.026). Respondents identified the primary strategies to enhance public participation in preventive activities as improving the quality of preventive services (31.1%), increasing accessibility (24.9%), and providing additional employer incentives (21.1%). Conclusions. The public’s engagement in preventive activities is primarily shaped by intrinsic motivators, including the desire to maintain health and a sense of personal accountability for one’s well-being. Thus, an effective strategy to enhance participation involves transitioning from mere informational campaigns to initiatives that promote a responsible, health-conscious mindset and build trust in healthcare institutions.