Health attitudes and readiness for preventive measures: results of the Regional Program “Monitoring of leading cardiovascular diseases and risk factors in Tumen City open population”

Abstract

Aim. To investigate health attitudes and readiness for preventive measures in an open population of Tumen City, by mail survey.
Material and methods. Before mail survey, a randomized representative sample was formed (n=3200), based on voting lists of Central administrative area, Tumen City. The sample was stratified by gender and age: 400 people per each age-gender group (eight groups: males and females aged 25-34; 35-44; 45-54; and 55-64). Response rate was 70.3% (n=2248). Subjective and objective parameters were assessed – population awareness of cardiovascular risk factors and health attitudes.
Results. Mail survey results demonstrated high population levels of health responsibility, as well as high readiness to participate in preventive programs. In younger people, personal health responsibility was maximal. In younger females, attitude towards healthy lifestyle was the most positive. Among older participants, especially women, a substantial proportion of responders doubted ideas of medical prevention and healthy lifestyle.
Conclusion. The present situation facilitates the activity of Tumen preventive service. This service should focus on younger, working-age population groups, as the most prospective and responsible to lifestyle modification audience.