One in ten people have never had an annual check-up. This is more typical for the youngest Bulgarians under the age of 30, according to a national survey by the sociological agency “Trend” on the topic “On the attitudes of Bulgarians towards annual preventive examinations”.
It was conducted between September 2 and 9 this year using the face-to-face interview method with 1,002 citizens over the age of 18. The research was commissioned by the Hub For Health Foundation.
About 39% of those asked say that they most often look for their GP by phone to make an appointment for an examination, 32% – for a consultation, 25% – for a hospital order, referral, etc. Almost 39% of the respondents noted that they do not look for their GP by phone.
The majority shared that digital technologies could contribute to faster and better communication with health professionals.
70% use Viber, but 30% do not.
At the declarative level, familiarity with annual preventive examinations can be defined as good. The majority of Bulgarians claim to be familiar with what the GDP includes and what its benefits are, and approximately two-thirds undergo a regular review.
It should be taken into account the fact that this relatively high prevention cannot be devoted entirely to a purposeful visit, but is sometimes rather a supplement to a visit on another occasion. This shows that there is still a need for information about the benefits of regular prophylaxis. Among some demographic groups, the topic remains undervalued, the survey also points out.
