Pulmonary Prevention Program in the Proszowice County: Description and Results

Introduction: In the Proszowice county, both lung cancer and chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) are more common in comparison with other regions of Poland. The purpose of this paper was to provide a report on a prevention program carried out in the area to reduce the burden of COPD and lung cancer in the region. Material and methods: The program consisted of the following: active prevention―questionnaire survey offered to every county inhabitant aged at least 40 and chest X-ray and spirometry performed in selected subjects; and passive prevention―covering multiple educational activities promoting healthy lifestyle. Data obtained from questionnaire survey and spirometry were further analyzed. Results: Education program covered all local children aged 13–15, a majority of adolescents and a significant proportion of adult inhabitants of the county. Questionnaire data were obtained from 14,455 subjects (about 70% of county inhabitants). On the basis of the questionnaire results, the participants were selected to undergo spirometry (5816 subjects) and chest X-ray (5514 subjects). Current smokers constituted 24.2% of the total number of participants (33.3% of men and 16.8% of women). Electronic cigarettes were currently used by 0.65% of the subjects. Negative impact of occupational exposures (including farming) on lung function and the presence of respiratory symptoms was observed. Basing on post-bronchodilator spirometry, COPD was diagnosed in 13.2% of the subjects. Physician’s diagnosis of asthma was reported by 7.2%. Conclusion: Educational activities and questionnaire-based study were targeted at and reached the majority of the county inhabitants. The study provided data on the prevalence and risk factors of COPD, asthma and respiratory symptoms in the Proszowice region.