Differences between women and men knowledge about prophylactic measures at general practice

General Practitioner’s(GP’s) one of the main tasks is to provide disease prevention to reduce future illnesses. Doctor and patient teamwork are needed to achieve this goal successfully. To ensure effective disease prevention, it is necessary to know which patients and how should be educated more on this topic. After literature review on disease prevention, we created questionnaire for patients to understand if there are differences between women and men attitude and knowledge about prophylactic measures. In this abstract we have analysed seven closed and one opened question from total study. Data were processed using SPSS and NVivo software. Participants were involved from one region, different GP’s. All respondents were divided in two groups according to gender. There were 236 respondents, aged 18–90 (mean age 51), 62%(N=147) were women and 38% (N=89) - men. 10% of women (W) and 19% of men (M) visit GP less than once a year. There was no significant difference between genders who have chronic illnesses that requires regular GP consultation (W41%,M35%;p=0.309). We have analysed participant opinion and knowledge about preventive measures. Both groups showed equal knowledge and there was no statistical difference between genders in these measurements - vision test (W82%,M83%;p=0.349), heart auscultation (W95%,M91%;p=0.074), weight and height measurements (W82%,87%;p=0.114), regular medication use (W53%,M42%;p=0.056). But there was statistical difference between genders - women are more knowledgeable about blood pressure measurement (W98%,91%;p=0.048), lung auscultation (W91%,M85%;p=0.017), chest radiograph (W67%,M58%;p=0.001), colorectal cancer screening (W50%,M36%;p=0.002), but men are more aware of healthy eating as preventive measure - 64% included it in prophylaxis while only 57% women did same(p=0.002). Women are more likely to see a GP and are slightly better informed about preventive measures. Almost all respondents believe that these measures are necessary. It is important to educate both sexes more, as many do not know what prophylactic program includes.