Smoking is the most frequent risk factor for cardiovascular diseases in Croatian Western region: findings of the Croatian health survey 2003

Aim To estimate the prevalence of selected behavioral risk factors for cardiovascular diseases in the western region of Croatia and to determine the differences based on age and gender. Methods A national survey on health status and health behavior of the adult population has been conducted. The representative sample of 10,766 households for six officially defined regions of Croatia has been determined, and Western region has been included with 1,562 inhabitants, aged 18 years and older. The overall response rate of administered face-to-face questionnaire was 85-61%. Prevalence rates per 100 inhabitants (smoking, eating habits, alcohol, consumption, physical activity, socio-economic characteristics, chronic conditions) have been determined. Results Nearly half (46.3%) of the adults were smokers or had quit smoking less than 10 years ago. Prevalence of high blood pressure was high amounting to 40.6% and it was higher in middle aged males (46.7%, p<0.01) and young males (13.7%), p<0.01). Prevalence of obesity was 38.9%, highest in females aged 35-64 (51.2%, p<0.001) and 65 and older (73.8%, p<0.01). Almost a quarter of respondents (23.3%) has been insufficiently physically active, especially young females 22.5%, p<0.01). Conclusion There was a significant difference in the prevalence of all observed behavioral risk factors according to the gender and age. Moreover, smoking tobacco has been found as the most frequent risk Factor in the observed population.