ANALYSIS OF AWARENESS AND ATTITUDES OF THE ADULT POPULATION TOWARDS UROGENITAL SYSTEM DISEASES

Introduction. Diseases of the genitourinary system are a significant medical and social issue, as they affect the quality of life, work capacity, and reproductive health of the population. They may go unnoticed due to a lack of awareness and insufficient preventive measures among the population, which is especially relevant for conditions such as sexually transmitted infections, injuries, polyps, bladder cancer, and chronic kidney diseases. Research Aim. The aim of this study is to assess the level of awareness among men and women regarding urogenital system diseases, particularly bladder cancer and sexually transmitted infections, as well as their attitudes toward a healthy lifestyle, frequency of doctor visits, and risks associated with harmful habits and infections. Materials and Methods. The study employs a quantitative approach using sociological surveys as the main data collection method. A total of 196 individuals (98 men and 98 women) participated, with an average age of 31 years. Participants were categorized by various socio-demographic characteristics. Descriptive statistics and correlation analysis were applied for data analysis. Research Results and Discussion. The results demonstrated that women are significantly more aware of urogenital system diseases and are more likely to undergo regular medical check-ups: 100% of women reported seeing specialists, with 50% visiting once a year and another 50% every six months. In contrast, only 5.1% of men visit a doctor annually, while 24.5% do so at least once every few years. Among men, 13.8% reported having experienced urogenital system diseases, whereas the prevalence among women was notably higher at 32.7%. The study also revealed a high prevalence of harmful habits, particularly smoking and alcohol consumption, among respondents, which increases the risk of urogenital diseases. Although most participants reside in urban areas, which provides better access to medical services, this does not always translate into better health outcomes. Conclusions. The obtained results indicate the need to increase awareness among men about the importance of regular medical check-ups and preventive measures. It is also crucial to strengthen information campaigns regarding the risks of harmful habits that may lead to serious urogenital diseases. This can help improve public health and reduce the incidence of these conditions.