Improving Vaccine Assessment Pathways and Decision Making in the Polish Immunization Program.

This study examines the vaccine market access pathway in Poland to evaluate its efficiency and propose recommendations for its improvement. The research spans a comprehensive analysis of the vaccine assessment process, ranging from pre-registration to sustainability, encompassing critical components such as national immunization technical advisory groups (NITAGs), health technology assessments, resource evaluations, and decision making. This investigation utilizes a multi-phase approach. Initial desk research aimed to collect accumulated evidence about each step of the vaccine access pathway. This constituted the background for an expert panel discussion (n = 13) and a final online questionnaire (n = 12), evaluating the timeframes, inclusiveness, transparency, and consistency of the elements of the process. Poland is a late adopter of new vaccines. The country faces budget constraints and lacks a formalized framework for the inclusion of vaccines into the national immunization program. Notably, NITAGs play a crucial role, yet their limited resources and dependence on public health stakeholders diminish their impact. A formal and well-supported advisory body may become a foundation for decision-making processes. The health technology assessment conducted by the national agency is recognized for its timeliness and transparency, though the absence of fiscal analyses in vaccine assessments is identified as a gap that limits the understanding of the value of vaccinations. Resources are key drivers of decision making, and recent changes in legislation offer increased flexibility in financing vaccines. Challenges in the procurement process include a limited consideration of non-acquisition costs and an increased absence of a documented general strategy for immunization program development in Poland, pointing to a need for strategic planning. In conclusion, this study recommends the establishment of a robust NITAG with enhanced resources, incorporating fiscal analyses, transparent resource allocation, and strategic planning for immunization program development. Addressing these recommendations is crucial for optimizing Poland's vaccine market access pathway, ensuring timely and efficient population-wide vaccine access.

A national registry-based study on uptake of the first dose of MMR vaccine in 380 administrative regions in Poland, 2013-2016-2020.

INTRODUCTION AND OBJECTIVE: Regular monitoring of the measles, mumps, and rubella (MMR) vaccine uptake quickly exposes immunity gaps in the population. In Poland, the first dose of the MMR vaccine is mandatory for children between 13 and 15 months of life. This study aimed to assess the uptake of the first dose of MMR vaccine in 380 administrative counties in Poland in 2020, as well as to analyze the MMR vaccine uptake trends in 2013-2016-2020. MATERIAL AND METHODS: This study is an epidemiological retrospective national registry-based analysis. Data on mandatory childhood vaccinations in all 380 counties in Poland were collected from the epidemiological reports of the State Sanitary Inspectorate territorial representatives. MMR vaccine uptake was calculated as the percentage of children who received the first dose of MRR vaccine to all children subject to mandatory vaccination in the county. RESULTS: The uptake of the first dose of MMR vaccine decreased from 99.4% in 2013, to 95.5% in 2016 and 91.9% in 2020. In 2013, 93.2% of countys MMR vaccine uptake level reached the herd immunity level, followed by 77.1% of counties in 2016 and only 38.3% of countys in 2020. In 2020, two counties reached complete (100%) MMR vaccine uptake, and the lowest MMR vaccine uptake was 63.88%. Of the 380 counties in Poland, in 226 (61.1%) the MMR vaccine uptake level was lower than the herd immunity level, and a downward trend was observed. MMR vaccine uptake decreased with an increased number of residents in a county (r= -0.35; p<0.001). CONCLUSIONS: This study revealed that in 61% of administrative regions in Poland, the MMR vaccine uptake was below the herd immunity level. Regional differences in the MMR vaccine uptake were observed. A significant decrease in MMR vaccine uptake between 2013 - 2020 poses a risk of measles outbreaks.

Enhancing Patient Adherence to Newly-Prescribed Medicine for Chronic Diseases: A Comprehensive Review and Cost-Effective Approach to Implementing the New Medicine Service in Community Pharmacies in Poland.

New Medicine Service (NMS) components are an important element to improve patient compliance with medical recommendations. NMS provides support to patients prescribed new medicines, helping them to manage long-term conditions. The purpose of this service is to provide patients with advice, guidelines, and educational materials regarding the use of new medicines to increase patient compliance and therapy safety. The NMS has already been introduced in many European countries. This review aims to identify the benefits and potential barriers to implementing the NMS in community pharmacies and to suggest solutions that would increase its effectiveness. Previous studies have primarily shown that the NMS improves patient compliance with therapy, accelerating the expected effects of the therapy. Pharmacist support during implementation of a new drug therapy substantially increases patient safety. As the experience of numerous countries shows, both pharmacists and patients express positive opinions on this service. Therefore, it seems that NMS should be an indispensable part of pharmaceutical patient care in any healthcare system. This article aims to review the implementation of the New Medicine Service (NMS) for community pharmacists in Poland and the provision of a cost-effective approach to improve patient adherence to newly-prescribed medicine for chronic diseases.

First-year follow-up costs of myocardial infarction management in Poland from the payer's perspective.

BACKGROUND: Myocardial infarction (MI) remains a major burden for healthcare systems. Therefore, we intended to analyze the determinants of cost management of patients hospitalized for MI in Poland. METHODS: Data on patients hospitalized and discharged with the diagnosis of acute MI were derived from the public payer claims database. Adult patients, reported between October 1, 2017 and December 31, 2019, were included. Costs of hospitalization for acute MI and cumulative one-year follow-up were analyzed. RESULTS: The median (IQR) of the total direct cost was €3804.7 (2674.1-5712.7) per patient and 29% (€1113.6 [380.5-2490.4]) of these were costs related to the use of post-hospitalization healthcare resources. The median cost of cardiovascular disease management was €3624.7 (2582.1-5258.5), and 26% of this sum were follow-up costs. The analysis of the total cost for individual years showed a slight increase in median costs in subsequent years: €3450.7 (2407.8-5205.2) in 2017, €3753.8 (2642.6-5681.9) in 2018, and €3944.9 (2794.8-5844.4) in 2019. Male sex, heart failure, atrial fibrillation, diabetes, kidney disease, chronic obstructive pulmonary disease, and history of stroke in addition to hospitalization in a department other than cardiology or internal disease were independently related to the cost of MI patient management. CONCLUSIONS: The high cost of management of MI patients was independently related to sex, heart failure, atrial fibrillation, diabetes, kidney disease, chronic obstructive pulmonary disease, and history of stroke as well as hospitalization in other than cardiology or internal disease department.

Public Expectations and Needs Related to Type 2 Diabetes Prevention: A Population-Based Cross-Sectional Study in Poland.

Objective: This study aimed to understand the public's expectations regarding type 2 diabetes prevention and to identify factors associated with willingness to participate in preventive activities among adults in Poland. Methods: A cross-sectional survey was carried out using a computer-assisted web interview (CAWI) on a representative sample of 1,046 adults in Poland. A non-probability quota sampling method was used. A study tool was a self-prepared questionnaire. Results: Most respondents (77.3%) declared willingness to participate in preventive activities. Consultation with a diabetologist (75.1%) or family doctor consultation (74.9%) were the most often selected. Lifestyle interventions in the form of dietary and culinary workshops (58.1%) were the least chosen. Having higher education (OR = 3.83, 1.64-8.94, p = 0.002), chronic diseases (OR = 1.36, 1.01-1.85, p = 0.04), and a history of diabetes in the family (OR = 1.67, 1.21-2.30, p = 0.002) were significantly associated with a higher interest in type 2 diabetes prevention. Conclusion: The adults in Poland are keen on participating in diabetes prevention programs, mostly those based on medical counselling rather than lifestyle-oriented interventions. Educational level was the most important factor associated with willingness to participate in type 2 diabetes prevention.

Significant COVID-19 burden in Polish children.

Introduction: COVID-19 cases have rarely been reported in children. We sought to analyse the attack rate in paediatric population in Poland, focusing on local variations among the provinces, correlation with the number of tests per capita, and test positivity rate. Material and methods: This cross-sectional study involved the 38.38 million population and detected 17,921 cases (age known in 17,822). Data were collected from publicly available registries and were analysed by age group and province of the country. Results: Children constituted 6.68% of cases (n = 1,191). The attack rate reached 15.49/100,000 children, increasing with age (10.79/100,000 in < 4 y.o. to 21.59/100,000 in 15-19 y.o.). Significant variations in the attack rates were observed: a 9.52-fold ratio between the highest and the lowest attack rates in provinces. The provinces from the first and fourth attack rate quartiles differed in the test positivity rate (4.96% vs. 1.98%, p < 0.05), but not in the number of tests per capita. The lowest quartile provinces showed 1.87- to 5.78-fold lower attack rates, compared to the directly neighbouring provinces, without any known population susceptibility differences. The attack rates in children and adults correlated very strongly (rho = 0.81). The attack rate correlated with the test positivity rate (rho = 0.64 in children and rho = 0.71 in adults) but not with the number of tests per capita. Conclusions: COVID-19 burden in children is significant. The local differences highlight various testing strategies, but the awareness of SARS-CoV-2 in children is essential. The correlation between attack rates in children and adults shows that the outbreak in children is parallel to the one observed in adults.

Exploring the Role of Pictograms in the Comprehension of Pain.

Introduction: Pain is both difficult to see and to articulate and this is challenging for both patients and clinicians. The aim of this study was to develop and test pictograms to describe different pain qualities. Methods: 22 pictograms were developed for evaluation based on pain qualities of the short form McGill Pain Questionnaire, version 2 (SF-MPQ-2). An online matching survey was conducted and disseminated via social media in 2021. Results: An overall matching of 66% or higher between pictogram and pain qualities descriptors was considered a proper matching. This study was carried out internationally (males = 57, age=41y.o. ±16; females = 155, age=41y.o.±17) and in Poland (males=49, age =35y.o.±17; females = 164, age=35y.o.±16). There were 14 pictograms that did not achieve 66% matching in any country. 8 pictograms mutually in all subgroups achieved a matching score of ≥66% regardless of geographic location, sex, income, or education level. Discussion and Conclusions: These 8 pictograms can be used clinically once they have been redrawn to improve consistency, and future research in the design of pictograms representing pain qualities of the SF-MPQ-2 should focus on design improvements for the remaining 14 pain qualities with poor comprehensibility.

Blood glucose level testing in Poland - do socio-economic factors influence its frequency? A nationwide cross-sectional survey.

INTRODUCTION AND OBJECTIVE: The number of patients diagnosed with diabetes is constantly increasing. Opportunistic screening for diabetes, based on blood glucose tests, can result in early diagnosis and mitigation of its complications. The aim of the study was to assess the frequency of blood-glucose tests in adults in Poland, and factors associated with the frequency of blood-glucose tests, including respondents' knowledge about diabetes. MATERIAL AND METHODS: In June 2022, a nationwide cross-sectional survey was carried out among adults in Poland.` The survey used a computer-assisted web interview technique and a self-developed questionnaire that included questions on respondents' self-reported knowledge of diabetes, time since last blood glucose test and socio-demographic characteristics of participants. RESULTS: The study population comprised 1,051 individuals aged 18-85 years, among whom 53.3% were females. Over a third of respondents (36.3%) declared a bad or rather bad knowledge about diabetes. Almost half of the respondents (48.7%) had a blood glucose test in the last 12 months, and 12.4% declared that they had never had a blood glucose test. Among respondents without diagnosed diabetes, female gender (OR=1.30, 0.96-1.76; p=0.009), age over 50 years (p<0.05), history of diabetes in the respondent's family (OR=1.83, 1.33-2.51; p<0.001), and good or at least moderate level of knowledge of diabetes were significantly associated (p<0.05) on blood glucose test frequency. CONCLUSIONS: The presented data manifest the need to intensify screening for diabetes combined with implementing a comprehensive education strategy regarding diabetes in Poland.

Pharmacists' Perceptions of Physician-Pharmacist Collaboration-A 2022 Cross-Sectional Survey in Poland.

Patient-centered care requires close collaboration among multiple healthcare professionals, including physician-pharmacist collaboration (especially as a part of pharmaceutical care). This study aimed to assess pharmacists' perceptions of physician-pharmacist collaboration as well as to identify factors associated with the willingness to provide pharmaceutical care services in Poland. This questionnaire-based survey was carried out in 2022 among community pharmacists from one of the largest franchise chain pharmacy networks in Poland. Completed questionnaires were received from 635 community pharmacists (response rate of 47.9%). Almost all the pharmacists agreed with the statement that there is a need for physician-pharmacist collaboration (98.2%), and 94.8% declared that pharmacists can help physicians in patient care and pharmacotherapy. Most pharmacists (80%) believed that physicians were not aware of the competencies of pharmacists resulting from Polish law. Patient education (89.9%), detection of polypharmacy (88%), and detection of interactions between drugs and dietary supplements (85.7%) were the most common tasks in the field of pharmaceutical care that can be provided by a pharmacist. Females were more likely (p < 0.05) to declare the need for physician-pharmacist collaboration. Age and location of the pharmacy were the most important factors (p < 0.05) associated with pharmacists' attitudes toward physician-pharmacist collaboration.

Respiratory Syncytial Virus Infections in Polish Pediatric Patients from an Expert Perspective.

Respiratory syncytial virus (RSV) is the most common pathogen causing respiratory tract infections in infants, affecting over 90% of children within the first two years of life. It may cause lower respiratory tract infections, which constitute a significant healthcare burden both in the primary and secondary care settings. Meanwhile, the data regarding RSV disease in Poland is scarce, and published data significantly differs from the numbers reported for other countries with longstanding surveillance and reporting systems. A literature review and an expert panel were conducted to (1) understand the healthcare burden of RSV infections in Poland; (2) collect data on infection seasonality, patient pathway, and management patterns; and (3) evaluate RSV infection surveillance in Poland. According to the literature, RSV is the major agent responsible for non-influenza respiratory diseases in Poland. The reported rates of hospitalization for RSV infections are 267.5/100,000 for children under 5 years of age and 1132.1/100,000 for those under 1 year of age. Comparisons with data from other countries suggest that these values may be underestimated, possibly due to insufficient access to microbiological testing and a low awareness of RSV. Infections occur mainly between December and April, however, this pattern has changed following the implementation of preventive measures for coronavirus disease 2019 in the past few years. According to available reports, bronchodilators, antibiotics, corticosteroids, and X-ray imaging have been frequently used. The surveillance system in Poland has limitations, but these may be overcome due to recent changes in healthcare law as well as the availability and reimbursement of diagnostic tests.

Epidemiological Characteristics of 101,471 Patients Hospitalized with Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease (COPD) in Poland in 2019: Multimorbidity, Duration of Hospitalization, In-Hospital Mortality.

Chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) is a common lung disease. There is a limited amount of nationwide data on COPD patients in Poland. This study aimed to characterize patients hospitalized with COPD in Poland in 2019 as well as to identify factors associated with the risk of in-hospital death and prolonged hospitalization among patients with COPD. This study is a retrospective database analysis. Data on patients hospitalized with COPD in Poland were obtained from the Nationwide General Hospital Morbidity Dataset. Data on all adults aged ≥40 years with a diagnosis of COPD from a physician (J44 code) were included in the analysis. Data were analyzed separately for patients hospitalized due to COPD (primary diagnosis) and patients with COPD as a comorbidity (secondary diagnosis). Completed medical records were available for 101,471 patients hospitalized with COPD (36.9% were females). Of those, 32% were hospitalized due to COPD. The mean age was 71.4 ± 9.7 years. The mean duration of hospitalization was 9.4 ± 11.4 days (median 7 days). Most of the COPD patients (89.3%) had at least one comorbidity. The in-hospital mortality rate was 6.8%. Older age, presence of cardiovascular diseases, and diseases of the genitourinary system (p < 0.05) were the most important factors associated with the risk of in-hospital death among patients hospitalized due to COPD.

National HPV Vaccination Program in Poland-Public Awareness, Sources of Knowledge, and Willingness to Vaccinate Children against HPV.

Since 1 June 2023, a nationwide HPV vaccination program was implemented in Poland. This study aimed to identify factors associated with public awareness of the national HPV vaccination program among adults in Poland and willingness to vaccinate children against HPV. This cross-sectional study was carried out between 14 and 17 July 2023 among 1056 adults in Poland. A self-prepared questionnaire was used. Among the respondents, 51.3% had heard about the free HPV vaccination program. The major source of knowledge on the national HPV vaccination program was TV (62%). Only 31.9% of respondents correctly indicated girls and boys aged 12 and 13 as the HPV-vaccination-eligible population. Willingness to vaccinate children against HPV was declared by 63.3% of respondents. Female gender (OR: 1.42; 95% CI: 1.11-1.81; p < 0.01), age 35-64 years (p < 0.05), having higher education (OR: 1.43; 95% CI: 1.11-1.84; p < 0.01), and living in cities with more than 500,000 residents (OR: 1.51; 95% CI: 1.01-2.28; p < 0.05) were significantly associated with higher odds to hear about the national HPV vaccination program. Age 50 years and over (p < 0.05), having higher education (OR: 1.43; 95% CI: 1.09-1.88; p < 0.05), living in cities with more than 500,000 residents (OR: 1.80; 95% CI: 1.14-2.83; p < 0.05), and no children under 18 in the home (OR: 1.39; 95% CI: 1.01-1.89; p < 0.05) were significantly associated with willingness to vaccinate children against HPV.

Factors associated with the frequency of eye examinations among adults in Poland - a nationwide cross-sectional survey, December 2022.

INTRODUCTION AND OBJECTIVE: The eye examination is a simple and effective intervention that involves a series of tests to evaluate vision and check for eye disease. This study aimed to assess the frequency of eye examinations among adults in Poland and to identify factors associated with the frequency of such examinations. MATERIAL AND METHODS: The questionnaire-based cross-sectional survey was carried out in December 2022 on a non-probability quota sample of 1,076 adults in Poland. A computer-assisted web interview technique was used. The study questionnaire included a set of questions on eye health, eye examinations, and socio-demographic characteristics. RESULTS: Of the 1,076 respondents, 7.4% had an eye examination in the last 30 days, almost one-quarter (24.2%) had an eye examination more than 1 month but not more than 12 months ago, 13.9% had an eye examination in the last 1-2 years, and 24.1% had an eye examination more than 2 years ago but not more than 3 years ago. Among the respondents, 7.1% declared that they had never had an eye examination. Of the 12 different factors analyzed in this study, wearing spectacles or lenses and self-reported level of knowledge on eye diseases were the only factors significantly associated with higher odds of eye examinations in the last 12 months or 2 years. There was no significant impact of gender, educational level, place of residence, health status, or economic status (p>0.05) on the frequency of eye examinations, neither in the last 12 months nor in the last 2-3 years. CONCLUSIONS: The study showed that a significant percentage of adults in Poland do not have regular eye examinations. There was a lack of socio-economic differences (including place of residence and economic status) in the frequency of eye examinations. There is an urgent need for health education on preventive eye examinations and eye care among adults in Poland.

The multidimensional nature of attitudes towards preventive vaccinations - a cross-sectional survey among Poles aged 15-39 years.

OBJECTIVES: Vaccination skepticism and vaccination refusal both constitute global public health concerns. Systematic monitoring of public attitudes towards vaccination is crucial for maintaining a high vaccination coverage rate. The study aimed to identify and characterize homogenous social groups distinguished by attitudes toward preventive vaccinations. MATERIAL AND METHODS: Between October and November of 2021, a nationwide representative cross-sectional survey was conducted on a representative sample of 1560 inhabitants of Poland aged 15-39 years. The study questionnaire included 60 questions on public attitudes towards vaccines, vaccination, and the COVID-19 pandemic. Factor analysis was applied to identify the main dimensions of vaccination attitudes. RESULTS: Factor analysis included 22 variables and yielded 3 factors or dimensions that accounted for 48.5% of the model's variability. Young adults were assigned into 6 homogeneous groups based on these factors: 1) general trust in vaccination, 2) vaccine safety concerns, 3) trust in fake medical news regarding COVID-19 vaccination, and denying the COVID-19 pandemic. Groups I-IV differed by sociodemographic factors and vaccination coverage rates. Nearly 60% of the respondents expressed concern regarding various aspects of vaccination. CONCLUSIONS: Most of Poland's young adults lack clearly defined attitudes towards vaccination. Attitudes towards vaccination can be divided into 6 heterogeneous groups. Int J Occup Med Environ Health. 2023;36(2):214-28.

An Online Questionnaire-Based Survey of 1076 Individuals in Poland to Identify the Prevalence of Ophthalmic Symptoms in Autumn 2022.

BACKGROUND Vision health affects functioning in society, and the ability to learn and work. Ophthalmic symptoms may be caused by eye diseases, but also by environmental or lifestyle factors. This online questionnaire-based survey aimed to identify the prevalence of ophthalmic symptoms in 1076 individuals in Poland, as well as to identify factors associated with the presence of ophthalmic symptoms. MATERIAL AND METHODS An online questionnaire-based survey was carried out in December 2022 on a representative sample of 1076 adult Poles. Non-probability quota sampling was used. Respondents were asked about the presence of 16 different eye symptoms and vision problems in the last 30 days. The presence of ophthalmic symptoms was self-declared. Data were analyzed with IBM SPSS package version 28. RESULTS More than half of the respondents (57.8%) had at least 1 ophthalmic symptom in the last 30 days. Burning and stinging eyes (21.6%) and dry eyes (18.9%) were the most common ophthalmic symptoms declared by the respondents. Moreover, 21.3% of respondents reported vision deterioration in the last 30 days. Out of 10 different factors analyzed in this study, female gender, living in rural areas or small cities (below 100 000 inhabitants), living with at least 1 other person, having low economic status, having chronic diseases, and wearing spectacles/contact lenses were significantly associated (P.

Factors associated with the use of public eHealth services in Poland - a 2022 nationwide cross-sectional survey.

INTRODUCTION AND OBJECTIVE: Poland is an example of a European country that has made significant progress in digitizing healthcare during the last 5 years. There is limited data on the use of eHealth services by different socio-economic groups in Poland during the COVID-19 pandemic The aim of the study was to characterize public attitudes towards the use of e-Health services in Poland, as well as to identify factors associated with the use of e-Health services among adults in Poland. MATERIAL AND METHODS: A questionnaire-based survey was carried out during 9-12 September 2022. A computer-assisted web interview methodology was used. A nationwide random quota sample of 1,092 adult Poles was selected. Questions on the use of 6 different public eHealth services in Poland and soci-economic characteristics were addressed. RESULTS: Two-thirds of participants (67.1%) had received an e-prescription in the last 12 months. More than half of the participants used the Internet Patient Account (58.2%) or the patient.gov.pl website (54.9%). One-third of the participants had teleconsultation with a doctor (34.4%), and approximately one-quarter of participants had received electronic sick leave (26.9%) or used electronic information about treatment dates (26.7%). Of the ten different socio-economic factors analyzed in this study, educational level, and place of residence (p<0.05) were the most important factors associated with the use of public eHealth services among adults in Poland. CONCLUSIONS: Living in rural areas or small cities is associated with a lower level of public eHealth services utilization. A relatively high interest in health education through eHealth methods was observed.

A National Registry-Based Epidemiological Study to Evaluate 395 646 Patients Hospitalized Due to Eye Diseases in Poland in 2019.

BACKGROUND The Nationwide General Hospital Morbidity Study Registry collects demographic, health, and medical data on patients hospitalized throughout Poland, and acts as a registry for epidemiological, public health, and hospital administrative studies. This epidemiological national registry-based study aimed to evaluate the characteristics of 395 646 patients hospitalized due to eye diseases in Poland in 2019. MATERIAL AND METHODS This study is a retrospective nationwide registry-based analysis. Data on all patients hospitalized due to eye diseases in 2019 were obtained from the Nationwide General Hospital Morbidity Study Registry. Demographic characteristics of patients hospitalized due to eye diseases as well as the hospitalization course were analyzed using descriptive epidemiology tools. RESULTS Disorders of the lens accounted for 68.6% of all hospital admissions, and disorders of the choroid and retina were the second most common (13.9%) cause of hospital admission due to eye diseases in 2019. Over three-quarters of hospital admissions (77.4%) lasted less than 24 h, and 86.8% were scheduled admissions. Most of the patients hospitalized due to eye diseases were females (59.9%) and over 70% lived in urban areas. There were regional differences in the hospital admissions rate per 100 000 inhabitants. According to the data presented in the registry, less than one-third of patients had comorbidities. CONCLUSIONS Hospital ophthalmological care in Poland is based mainly on planned hospitalizations lasting less than 24 h and related to ophthalmological surgery. Data on the comorbidity of ophthalmologic patients suggest that ophthalmologists do not pay enough attention to identifying and recording the patient's health status.

Eye Care Behaviors among Adults in Poland: A Nationwide Cross-Sectional Survey.

Implementation of eye care behaviors may reduce the risk of eye symptoms and diseases. This study aimed to assess eye care behaviors and identify factors associated with eye care practices among adults in Poland. This cross-sectional survey was carried out between 9 and 12 December 2022 on a nationwide random quota sample of adults in Poland. The study questionnaire included a set of questions on 10 different eye care behaviors. The study population included 1076 participants with a mean age of 45.7 ± 16.2 years, and 54.2% of participants were females. The most common (30.2%) eye care behavior was the use of good lighting indoors, and 27.3% used sunglasses with a UV filter. More than one-fifth of participants declared taking regular screen breaks and limiting screen time. Less than one-tenth of participants used dietary supplements with lutein, beta-carotene, or zinc. Out of 12 factors assessed in this study, self-reported knowledge of eye diseases was the most important factor associated (p < 0.05) with eye care behaviors. There were no economic or educational gaps (p > 0.05) in the implementation of most of the eye care behaviors among adults in Poland. This study revealed a low level of implementation of eye care behaviors among adults in Poland.

Awareness of Common Eye Diseases and Their Risk Factors-A Nationwide Cross-Sectional Survey among Adults in Poland.

Public knowledge and awareness of eye diseases may influence individuals' behaviors toward the use of eye care services and prevention methods. The objective of this study was to assess the awareness of common eye diseases and their risk factors among adults in Poland as well as to identify factors associated with knowledge of eye diseases. This nationwide cross-sectional web-based survey was carried out in December 2022 on a representative sample of 1076 adults in Poland. Most of the respondents had heard of cataracts (83.6%), glaucoma (80.7%), conjunctivitis (74.3%), and hordeolum (73.8%). Awareness of dry eye syndrome was declared by 50% of respondents, and 40% were aware of retinal detachment. Among the respondents, 32.3% had heard of AMD, and 16.4% had heard of diabetic retinopathy. A lack of awareness of glaucoma was declared by 38.1% of respondents, and 54.3% declared a lack of awareness of risk factors for AMD. Gender, age, and the presence of chronic diseases were the most important factors (p < 0.05) associated with awareness of common eye diseases and risk factors for glaucoma and AMD. This study demonstrated a low level of awareness of common eye diseases among adults in Poland. Personalized communication on eye diseases is needed.