Correlation between demographic and socio-economic determinants and awareness of risky behavior for development of cardiovascular diseases

Introduction. Awareness of personal cardiovascular and cerebrovascular risk is relevant to risk behaviors modification. Objective. The aim of the study was to examine the correlation between demographic and socio-economic determinants and awareness of personal risk behavior related to increased cardiovascular risk. Methods. Used data derive from 2006 National Health Survey of the Serbian population. Study sample involved 14522 adults aged ³ 20 years. Participants with previous history of cardiovascular and cerebrovascular events were excluded. Multivariate logistic regression was used for analysis of relationship between risk behavior perception as dependent variable and lifestyle factors, demographic and socio-economic variables. Results. Among 12868 participants included in the study 16.7% perceived that their behavior contributed to their increased cardiovascular risk. Perceptions of own risky behavior that leads to increased cardiovascular risk was associated with older age, female gender (OR=1.22; 95% CI:1.10-1.35), higher education (OR=1.27; 95% CI:1.07-1.51), higher wealth index (OR=1.17; 95% CI:1.02- 1.34) and tobacco consumption (OR=1.54; 95% CI:1.38-1.71). Single, divorced and widowed (OR=0.86; 95% IP:0.76-0.98) persons, participants from rural areas (OR=0.87; 95% IP:0.78-0.98) and physically less active (OR=0.86; 95% IP:0.76-0.94) were less likely to perceive that their own behavior contributes to the increased personal cardiovascular risk. We didn't prove significant correlation between awareness of risky behaviors and household size or poor dietary habits. Conclusion. This study showed low level of awareness of own risky behavior for the development of cardiovascular and cerebrovascular risk. There is a need for public and individual interventions with special attention directed to young, low educated and poor population