Portable spirometer-based pulmonary function test willingness in China: A nationwide cross-sectional study from the...

Area of Science:

• Pulmonary Medicine
• Public Health
• Health Services Research

Background:

• Pulmonary function tests (PFTs) are crucial for early detection and management of chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD).
• Understanding willingness to undergo PFTs and identifying barriers to uptake are essential for improving COPD care.
• This study focused on high-risk populations to assess PFT willingness and barriers.

Purpose of the Study:

• To evaluate the willingness of high-risk individuals to undergo PFTs.
• To identify the primary barriers preventing individuals from undergoing recommended PFTs.
• To analyze factors associated with willingness to undergo PFTs in a Chinese population.

Main Methods:

• Data collected from participants in the "Happy Breathing Program" in China.
• A survey assessed willingness to undergo PFTs and reasons for non-compliance among those who did not follow physician recommendations.
• Univariable and multivariable logistic regressions analyzed factors influencing PFT willingness.

Main Results:

• Out of 8475 participants, 90.4% were willing to undergo PFTs.
• Key reasons for not undergoing PFTs included geographical inaccessibility (43.1%) and distrust in primary healthcare (36.7%).
• Individuals unwilling to undergo PFTs often believed they were not ill (54.8%). Younger age, rural residence, higher education, medical reimbursement, employment, occupational dust exposure, and COPD awareness were linked to higher willingness.

Conclusions:

• High willingness to undergo PFTs exists among high-risk populations.
• Addressing geographical barriers and building trust in healthcare institutions are vital.
• Policy interventions including financial incentives, health education, and community-based programs can boost PFT utilization for COPD management.