Self-reported health beliefs of government housing tenants

Abstract

Our aim was to provide a description of the self-reported health beliefs of a sample of Victorian public housing tenants, and to identify how gender, age and geographic location relate to these beliefs. Telephone interviews Factors related to health beliefs and behavioursThe importance of the relationship between health related beliefs and health behaviours on a conceptual level is demonstrated by the fact that health beliefs play a significant role in many theoretical models which explain health protective behaviours or changes in health-related behaviours in individuals (Rimer 1997;Weinstein 1993). People's exposure to health promotion activities, and their perception of the personal relevance of health promotion messages, are influenced by their own views or beliefs about health in general (Davison et al 1992). By obtaining information about such views it is possible to ascertain how previous health messages have been received by the community, and to inform future health promotion activities. People are presented with a large number of health messages from which to select those they will attend to and those they will ignore. It is important to examine what people believe to be important for their health, what they believe the major health problems are, and what they should do to maintain their health. Generally people recall messages they see as relevant or as consistent with their own beliefs and behaviours (Lingle et al 1980).When examining health beliefs and behaviours, it is essential to be aware of a range of factors which are known to be associated with health. There is evidence that socioeconomic status, gender, age, and geographic location are all relevant, but little is known about differences between these groups in the beliefs held about health. Socioeconomic StatusData derived from national statistics indicate that there are differences by socioeconomic status (SES) in mortality, morbidity and health behaviours which favour higher SES levels (Turrell and Mathers 2000). Information on any differences in health beliefs held by SES groups in Australia is less available.