Adherence to therapy, defined as the extent to which a patient follows prescribed therapeutic recommendations, is a pivotal factor in the effective management of chronic diseases such as diabetes, hypertension, and cardiovascular conditions. This review highlights the profound influence of adherence on clinical outcomes, healthcare costs, and patient quality of life. Despite its critical importance, non-adherence remains a pervasive challenge globally, contributing to suboptimal treatment results, higher rates of complications, increased hospitalizations, and substantial healthcare expenditures. This narrative review examines the multifaceted impact of adherence, focusing on its role in achieving clinical efficacy, mitigating economic burdens, and enhancing patient well-being. The findings reveal that poor adherence exacerbates the risk of disease progression, complications, and higher healthcare costs. Conversely, improved adherence promotes better disease control, fewer complications, and enhanced patient quality of life. Interventions such as patient education, streamlined treatment regimens, and the integration of digital health tools have shown promise in addressing adherence barriers. Furthermore, the role of healthcare professionals is underscored as fundamental, with their continuous support, effective communication, and efforts to build patient trust being essential to fostering better adherence. In conclusion, adherence significantly affects clinical outcomes, healthcare costs, and patient quality of life. Addressing barriers to adherence requires a comprehensive and personalized approach, considering individual patient needs and circumstances. Future research should prioritize the long-term evaluation of emerging technologies and the development of tailored strategies to improve adherence across diverse patient populations. Strengthening adherence is not only crucial for individual patient outcomes, but also for enhancing the sustainability and efficiency of healthcare systems.

Autism Spectrum Disorders: Etiology, Epidemiology, and Challenges for Public Health - Article abstract #944161

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.

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.

Objectives: Monitoring tobacco use is one of the most important tobacco control interventions recommended by the World Health Organization. This study aimed to assess the prevalence of cigarette smoking, e-cigarette use, and heated tobacco use in a nationwide sample of adults in Poland, as well...

The Internet is one of the most popular information sources. This study aimed to assess the public attitudes towards the use of the Internet for health purposes as well as to identify factors associated with the use of the Internet for health purposes among adults in Poland. A web-based cross-sectional survey was carried out between 9 and 12 September 2022 on a nationwide random-quota sample of 1092 adults in Poland. The study questionnaire included 10 questions on Internet use for health purposes. The most common reason for the use of the Internet for health purposes was searching for information on drugs and their effects (69.9%). Almost two-thirds of participants used the Internet for searching for health information (64.9%), for doctors/medical services (63.4%), or for medical facilities (65.3%). Over half of the participants used the Internet for checking online reviews of doctors (55.2%) and 43.5% of the participants ordered drugs or dietary supplements online. Out of 9 different socioeconomic factors analyzed in this study, having higher education, being female, as well as living in cities from 100,000 to 499,999 residents were the most important factors (p < 0.05) associated with the use of the Internet for health purposes. This study confirmed a high level of adoption of medical Internet in Poland.