Key result
Female sex, older age, and chronic diseases were associated with higher odds of blood pressure and cholesterol testing (e.g., OR 3.9 for BP testing in those with high BP; P<0.001).
Why the study?
The correlates of blood pressure and cholesterol level testing among a socially-disadvantaged population in Poland were not well characterized.
Cross-Sectional (n=1,710)
Among a socially disadvantaged population in Poland, rates of cholesterol testing are low (27%), highlighting the need for targeted preventive interventions, especially for men and those without existing chronic diseases.
Disparities in preventive testing may exist among disadvantaged Poles; hypothesis-generating for targeted interventions before practice change.
As part of cardiovascular disease prevention, the performance of BMI determination, blood pressure measurement, biochemical tests, as well as a lifestyle-related risk assessment are recommended. The aim of this study was to evaluate the correlates of blood pressure and cholesterol level testing among a socially-disadvantaged population in Poland. This cross-sectional study was performed between 2015 and 2016 among 1710 beneficiaries of government welfare assistance. Face-to-face interviews conducted by trained staff at each participant's place of residence allowed for completion of questionnaires that covered socio-demographic, health and lifestyle-related information. Sixty-five percent of the participants declared a blood pressure and 27% of them cholesterol level testing at least once within the year proceeding the study. A higher chance of having blood pressure testing was observed among the women (OR = 1.5; p = 0.002) and people with high blood pressure (OR = 3.9; p < 0.001). The women (OR = 1.4; p = 0.04) and older people (OR = 1.9; p = 0.02; OR = 2.6; p < 0.001, OR = 2.7; p = 0.002, for the following age groups: 30-39, 40-49, 50-59 years respectively), the respondents who declared health problems such as heart attack (OR = 3.0; p = 0.04), high blood pressure (OR = 2.3; p < 0.001) and type 2 diabetes (OR = 3.3; p = 0.004) and those with a family history of chronic diseases (OR = 1.5; p = 0.03) had a higher chance of cholesterol level checking. Higher healthy lifestyle index, indicating that the study participants have followed almost all of the studied lifestyle-related recommendations, was a significant correlate of cholesterol level testing (OR = 1.7; p = 0.006). Actions that promote lifestyle changes, blood pressure, and cholesterol level testing should take into account the needs of the disadvantaged population and should especially target men, people with existing chronic diseases, and those with unfavorable lifestyle characteristics. With respect to the socially-disadvantaged population, the social assistance institutions and outpatient clinics are the best places to conduct activities promoting a healthy lifestyle. The most commonly applied strategies to promote lifestyle changes can cover risk assessment, increasing awareness, emotional support and encouragement, as well as a referral to specialists.
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Znyk et al. (2020) conducted a cross-sectional in Socially-disadvantaged population (n=1,710). Socio-demographic and health factors vs. Reference groups was evaluated on Blood pressure and cholesterol level testing within the past year. Female sex, older age, and chronic diseases were associated with higher odds of blood pressure and cholesterol testing (e.g., OR 3.9 for BP testing in those with high BP; P<0.001).
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