The potential of mobile health clinics in chronic disease prevention and health promotion in universal healthcare systems. An on-field experiment
Abstract Background Mobile health clinics (MHCs) are recognized to facilitate access to healthcare services, especially in disadvantaged populations. Notwithstanding that in Europe a wide-ranging background in mobile screening units for cancer is shared, evidences about MHCs targeting also at other...
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| Format: | Article |
| Language: | English |
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BMC
2020-05-01
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| Series: | International Journal for Equity in Health |
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| Online Access: | http://link.springer.com/article/10.1186/s12939-020-01174-8 |
| _version_ | 1818274989156073472 |
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| author | Chiara Bertoncello Silvia Cocchio Marco Fonzo Silvia Eugenia Bennici Francesca Russo Giovanni Putoto |
| author_facet | Chiara Bertoncello Silvia Cocchio Marco Fonzo Silvia Eugenia Bennici Francesca Russo Giovanni Putoto |
| author_sort | Chiara Bertoncello |
| collection | DOAJ |
| description | Abstract Background Mobile health clinics (MHCs) are recognized to facilitate access to healthcare services, especially in disadvantaged populations. Notwithstanding that in Europe a wide-ranging background in mobile screening units for cancer is shared, evidences about MHCs targeting also at other non-communicable diseases (NCDs) in universal health coverage systems are scarce. The aim of this study was to describe the population attracted with a MHC initiative and to assess the potential of this tool in prevention and control of NCDs. Methods Our MHC was set up in a railway wagon. Standard body measurements, finger-stick glucose, total cholesterol and blood pressure were recorded. Participants were asked about smoking, physical activity, diet, compliance to national cancer screening programmes and ongoing pharmacological treatment. One-to-one counselling was then provided. Results Participants (n = 839) showed a higher prevalence of overweight/obesity, insufficient intake of vegetables, sedentary lifestyle, and a lower compliance to cancer screening compared with reference population. Our initiative attracted groups at higher risk, such as foreigners, men and people aged from 50 to 69. The proportion of newly diagnosed or uncontrolled disease exceeded 40% of participants for both hypertension and hypercholesterolemia (7% for diabetes). Adherence rate to counselling was 99.4%. Conclusions The MHC was effective in attracting hard-to-reach groups and individuals who may have otherwise gone undiagnosed. MHCs can play a complementary role also in universal coverage health systems, raising self-awareness of unreached population and making access to primary health care easier. |
| first_indexed | 2024-12-12T22:22:37Z |
| format | Article |
| id | doaj.art-03984c8a96384d6a8db24b71f629290c |
| institution | Directory Open Access Journal |
| issn | 1475-9276 |
| language | English |
| last_indexed | 2024-12-12T22:22:37Z |
| publishDate | 2020-05-01 |
| publisher | BMC |
| record_format | Article |
| series | International Journal for Equity in Health |
| spelling | doaj.art-03984c8a96384d6a8db24b71f629290c2022-12-22T00:09:52ZengBMCInternational Journal for Equity in Health1475-92762020-05-011911910.1186/s12939-020-01174-8The potential of mobile health clinics in chronic disease prevention and health promotion in universal healthcare systems. An on-field experimentChiara Bertoncello0Silvia Cocchio1Marco Fonzo2Silvia Eugenia Bennici3Francesca Russo4Giovanni Putoto5Hygiene and Public Health Unit, DCTVSP Department of Cardiac Thoracic and Vascular Sciences and Public Health, University of PaduaHygiene and Public Health Unit, DCTVSP Department of Cardiac Thoracic and Vascular Sciences and Public Health, University of PaduaHygiene and Public Health Unit, DCTVSP Department of Cardiac Thoracic and Vascular Sciences and Public Health, University of PaduaHygiene and Public Health Unit, DCTVSP Department of Cardiac Thoracic and Vascular Sciences and Public Health, University of PaduaOrganizational Unit Prevention and Public HealthDoctors with Africa CUAMMAbstract Background Mobile health clinics (MHCs) are recognized to facilitate access to healthcare services, especially in disadvantaged populations. Notwithstanding that in Europe a wide-ranging background in mobile screening units for cancer is shared, evidences about MHCs targeting also at other non-communicable diseases (NCDs) in universal health coverage systems are scarce. The aim of this study was to describe the population attracted with a MHC initiative and to assess the potential of this tool in prevention and control of NCDs. Methods Our MHC was set up in a railway wagon. Standard body measurements, finger-stick glucose, total cholesterol and blood pressure were recorded. Participants were asked about smoking, physical activity, diet, compliance to national cancer screening programmes and ongoing pharmacological treatment. One-to-one counselling was then provided. Results Participants (n = 839) showed a higher prevalence of overweight/obesity, insufficient intake of vegetables, sedentary lifestyle, and a lower compliance to cancer screening compared with reference population. Our initiative attracted groups at higher risk, such as foreigners, men and people aged from 50 to 69. The proportion of newly diagnosed or uncontrolled disease exceeded 40% of participants for both hypertension and hypercholesterolemia (7% for diabetes). Adherence rate to counselling was 99.4%. Conclusions The MHC was effective in attracting hard-to-reach groups and individuals who may have otherwise gone undiagnosed. MHCs can play a complementary role also in universal coverage health systems, raising self-awareness of unreached population and making access to primary health care easier.http://link.springer.com/article/10.1186/s12939-020-01174-8Mobile health unitsNoncommunicable diseasesHealth promotionPrimary health careHealthcare inequalities |
| spellingShingle | Chiara Bertoncello Silvia Cocchio Marco Fonzo Silvia Eugenia Bennici Francesca Russo Giovanni Putoto The potential of mobile health clinics in chronic disease prevention and health promotion in universal healthcare systems. An on-field experiment International Journal for Equity in Health Mobile health units Noncommunicable diseases Health promotion Primary health care Healthcare inequalities |
| title | The potential of mobile health clinics in chronic disease prevention and health promotion in universal healthcare systems. An on-field experiment |
| title_full | The potential of mobile health clinics in chronic disease prevention and health promotion in universal healthcare systems. An on-field experiment |
| title_fullStr | The potential of mobile health clinics in chronic disease prevention and health promotion in universal healthcare systems. An on-field experiment |
| title_full_unstemmed | The potential of mobile health clinics in chronic disease prevention and health promotion in universal healthcare systems. An on-field experiment |
| title_short | The potential of mobile health clinics in chronic disease prevention and health promotion in universal healthcare systems. An on-field experiment |
| title_sort | potential of mobile health clinics in chronic disease prevention and health promotion in universal healthcare systems an on field experiment |
| topic | Mobile health units Noncommunicable diseases Health promotion Primary health care Healthcare inequalities |
| url | http://link.springer.com/article/10.1186/s12939-020-01174-8 |
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