Standardised and systematic sampling of public engagement in brain health - Slovenian example

Neurological and mental health disorders are a major global challenge. A block of brain health-related questions was embedded into the standardised Slovenian Public Opinion survey (online and on paper) to gain an updated insight into public interest and engagement in brain health. Representative sampling of the national population registry yielded a final sample of N = 1041 adult residents of Slovenia. Queries assessed public understanding of what constitutes a brain disorder, what preventive measures they know of and actively engage in, what hinders their engagement, and what might improve it. Correlations between basic demographic data and questions addressing brain health were analysed, and linear regression was used to identify key sample characteristics predictive of respondents' attitudes and engagement. A majority of respondents stated brain health was of great or extreme importance for quality of life. Identification of effective preventive measures exceeded respondents' adherence. Lack of time was the key obstacle for younger, healthy and employed respondents, lack of information for the elderly and the retired, whereas lack of financial means most hindered those in poor health. Attained education and dwelling in urban or rural environments emerged as significant independent predictors of perceived importance of preventive practices and active care for brain health. Tracking effectiveness of public health initiatives and ensuring their continuous improvement requires periodic assessment of public awareness and attitudes. Standardisation of such efforts through representative population sampling and data collection, as presented here, can provide intertemporal and transregional comparisons and insights to inform future public health measures.