Ocena dzialań na rzecz wysokiej zglaszalności do profilaktycznych badań mammograficznych i cytologicznych w województwie kujawskopomorskim

Abstract

Author(s): Tomasz Mierzwa, Malgorzata Leźnicka, Lech Grodzki, Witold Kowalski

Introduction: Screening examinations are one of the best ways to improve negative epidemiological indicators concerning the results of treatment of breast cancer and cervical cancer. In order to ensure efficient functioning of preventive programmes, the Minister of Health established Provincial Centres for Coordination which are supposed to handle many tasks, including, among others: monitoring of the course and conducting of preventive examinations, providing training for healthcare professionals, conducting audits in units performing the examinations, and first of all taking actions aimed to improve participation of patients in the programmes.

Objective: The objective of the study was to analyze the cost and the impact of the actions taken by the Provincial Centre for Coordination of Preventive Programmes in Bydgoszcz on participation of women in mammography and Pap smear screening in Kujawsko-Pomorskie province. The following actions were evaluated:

• sending invitations with address data of the nearest provider of mammography and Pap smear,
• cooperation with media: press, radio and television,
• organization of open events: concerts, informational and educational actions at universities in the region or actions raising awareness in towns having the lowest number of the examined population, and other open-air events,
• providing training concerning promotion of examinations by healthcare professionals working at outpatient care units.

Conclusion. All the actions aimed to improve participation in examinations proved effective and increased the number of women undergoing the examinations. Sending invitations is the most effective method of recruitment to preventive examinations. However, the unit cost of this way of promotion is high. Promotion of screening programmes based on media, openair events, radio broadcasts and electronic information is characterized by low cost of recruitment of one person to examinations and additionally it has a significant impact on the level of health education of the society. The cheapest method of recruitment to preventive programmes is promotion by healthcare professionals. Therefore, actions aimed at activation of this group of professionals should be intensified.

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