Efficiency of implementation of the state preventive project «Healthy cities and villages» of Belarus from the point of view of the population

Relevance . The State policy of the Republic of Belarus in the field of healthcare is focused on ensuring the availability and quality of medical care, as well as on the prevention of diseases and the formation of a responsible attitude to health. As part of the implementation of the State Program «Public Health and Demographic Security» for 2021–2025, the project «Healthy Cities and Towns» is being implemented, and this work is devoted to evaluating the implementation of this project. The purpose of the study : to study the opinion of the population of 250 cities and towns of the Republic of Belarus on the effectiveness of the implementation of a set of measures provided for by the state preventive project «Healthy Cities and Towns for 2023» through a questionnaire survey. Materials and methods . The study was conducted using a sociological survey of the population of 250 settlements participating in the implementation of the state project «Healthy Cities and Towns» in 2023. The sample totaled 1,365 respondents (sampling error ±2.62%). The questionnaire included questions aimed at assessing attitudes to health, healthy lifestyle, accessibility and quality of medical care, as well as the effectiveness of preventive measures. Results . The attitude of the population to their health and a healthy lifestyle has been studied, the effectiveness of preventive measures to preserve public health has been assessed, and the accessibility and quality of medical care from the point of view of patients has been assessed. The respondents consider the effectiveness of the healthcare system to be the main indicator of the success of the project. One in five survey participants (19.0%) noted the positive dynamics of its development in their locality. At the same time, an assessment of the opinion of the population about the necessity and reality of forming the «health» of their locality recorded a low level of awareness of citizens about its implementation (only 9.0% of respondents). A significant part of the respondents (66.6%) consider their own health to be «good», and stress, lack of sleep and a sedentary lifestyle are among the key factors negatively affecting it. Conclusion . Belarusians’ idea of the «health» of their locality includes, first of all, the activities of the healthcare system and the factors of ensuring and maintaining their physical and mental health. The need for greater government involvement in the development of healthcare, the creation of cultural and sports facilities, ensuring a high level of technological development in human settlements, decent working conditions, as well as greater implementation of barrier-free environment elements is emphasized. The majority of respondents noted the need to improve the activities of medical and social services aimed at raising public awareness and prioritizing healthy lifestyle.