THE CARE OF PERSONAL HEALTH AS A PART OF SUSTAINABLE HEALTHCARE DEVELOPMENT

• Main Author: Kalina Peycheva
• Format: Article
• Language: English
• Published: Peytchinski Publishing 2017-06-01
• Series: Journal of IMAB
• Subjects: sustainable healthcare; health education
• Online Access: http://www.journal-imab-bg.org/issues-2017/issue2/JofIMAB-2017-23-2p1598-1602.pdf

Active participation and personal responsibility of patients for their own health are necessary to realise the idea of the sustainable development of health care. Aim: To study the readiness of patients to take personal responsibility for their health. Material and Methods:A questionnaire was prepared for the purposes of the study.The methods utilised were a direct individual anonymous questionnaire, statistical – descriptive, analytical (hi – square). The answers were examined and statistically processed according to age, gender and education level of the participants. Results: 1. 92,7 % of those between 18-24 years old answered, that the decision to change their lifestyle in order to prevent disease, depend on the deprivation they have to suffer. 2. Only ¼ are responsible for their health, while the ones who know they have to do it, but they do not are 12,2%. 3. University graduates pay more attention and take more care for their health. 4. Lack of time is the primary reason patients cite for not taking care of their health. 5. Few could read the labels – only 9,6%. The remaining over 90 % do not understand the labels. 6. Gender wise – women are more responsible and have higher health education. Conclusions: The lack of health education and care, using the lack of time as an excuse, as well as the reluctance to compromise and deprivation for health’s sake, demonstrate the lack of sustainability of health care system with respect to health education and promotion.