Lifestyles related to NCD and utilization of preventive services among adults

Abstract

Leading behavioural risk factors for non communicable diseases (NCD) are smoking, harmful use of alcohol, physical inactivity and unhealthy diet. More than half of population between age 30 and 70 years die annually from NCDs which could be prevented by promotive and preventive measures. Goal of the paper is to determine lifesyle factors related to non communicable diseases and utilization of preventive services in primary health care center Zvezdara in Belgrade. Survey is cross sectional study with sample size of 210 adults randomly selected. The analysis of the survey data was performed using the statistical data processing program SPSS 19.0 for Windows. Lifestyles factors related to NCDs among adult population in Belgrade are smoking (38,1%), alcohol consumption (32,9%), poor eating habits with high salt intake, more than 5g (29%) and inadequate frequency of meals (61%), sedentary lifestyles during working time (27,1%) and during leisure time (20,4%). Only 16,7% of population have moderate physical activity according to WHO recommentations. Preventive services utilized each third men and each fifth women, people with high level of education (p=0.001), professionals (p=0.007) who are living in good social conditions (p=0.000). Preventive services need to be organized more flexible in relation to public opinion using modern methods of health education via electronic services, media and mobile communications.