HEALTH PROFILE OF THE URBAN COMMUNITY MEMBERS IN LITHUANIA: DO SOCIO-DEMOGRAPHIC FACTORS MATTER?
METHODS: Data were obtained from a European survey on urban health, conducted as part of the EURO-URHIS 2 project (European Urban Health Indicators System Part Two: Urban Health Monitoring and Analysis System to Inform policy). A stratified representative random sample of 3200 adults from Kaunas and Šiauliai cities (Lithuania) was composed from the population register. The postal questionnaire survey was conducted in 2010. 1407 valid questionnaires were analyzed. Statistical analysis was carried out by using SPSS 17.0 inside Complex Sample module that takes design effects into account.
RESULTS: Younger respondents (aged 19-64 years) perceived most of the health status indicators better than the older ones (65+ years), while they were less likely to report healthy lifestyles and less often perceived their neighbourhood as being socially cohesive than the older ones. Men less frequently experienced psychological problems, indicated regular contacts with friends and/or family and had a greater tendency to be an overweight and obese, to be daily smokers and drinkers compared to women. Those having secondary or lower educational level perceived most of the health status indicators worse than those with university educational level. There were no significant differences in majority of health status indicators by the marital status. However, respondents living with a partner less often experienced psychological problems than those living alone. Those respondents who indicated having enough money for daily expenses more often perceived their health better, more frequently ate fruits and vegetables, were less common daily smokers, had more often regular contacts with friends and/or family, and were less common exposed to severe noise from outdoors.
CONCLUSIONS: The results of this study clearly show an associations between socio-demographic factors and self-evaluation of health status, lifestyle and environmental factors.