Evaluation of patients’ knowledge on haemorrhoidal disease prevention

Introduction. Symptoms of hemorrhoids affects every fourth adult.

Aim of the study. Assessment of patient knowledge on the disease and their expectations of hemorrhoid-related health education.

Material and methods. The study included 129 randomly selected patients treated for hemorrhoidal disease. We used an anonymized
questionnaire.

Results. 10% of the respondents for the age at which disease occurs most commonly found the hemorrhoid range from 51 to 60 years old. The etiological factors included: constipation (80%), sedentary lifestyle (76%), diet with little fiber (50%). The following symptoms were
considered: bleeding (86%), anal itching (73%), palpable lump in the anal area and loss of varicose veins (53%), pain (33%). Overall, 80% of
patients knew that one of the basic methods of hemorrhoid disease diagnostic test is a finger anus, anal canal and rectum bubble. Less than
1/4 of patients listed rectoscopy and 56% — colonoscopy. Of the respondents, (87%) believed that this disease should be treated with surgery, (76%) — pharmacologically, and (35%) — nutritionally. To reduce the risk of this disease, about 1/3 of patients recommended regular exercise and avoiding alcohol. More than (70%) of the patients preferred the doctor and (12%) the nurse as educators. The Internet was the main source of information for the patients (60%).

Conclusions. The level of knowledge of patients about the disease and its prevention hemorrhoid was insufficient, although nearly half of
patients in self-assessed their level of knowledge as sufficient. The Internet was the main source of information about the disease for the
patients. Information transfer by doctors is the main source of information for the patients. Patients would like to broaden the scope of their
knowledge of hemorrhoidal disease prevention, causes, symptoms and complications, diagnosis, treatment, diet, disease remission after
surgery, and hygiene. No significant effect of disease duration on the level of knowledge hemorrhoid patients for prevention may suggest that the educational methods used so far are ineffective among patients.