Behavioral Risk and Health Promotion in Adults with Cardiovascular Risk Factors

Abstract

Background. Health education is the most effective way of disease prevention, improving and maintaining health. Negative patterns of risk behavior and life style are the major risk factors for atherosclerotic cardiovascular diseases.

Objectives. To identify behavioral risk factors and to provide the arguments for effective prevention strategy.

Method. From the target population of the «Zorilor» district of Cluj-Napoca, 106 subjects were selected, ages ranging from 26 to 70 years. A questionnaire of 32 items was administered, by «face to face» interview in relation to cardiovascular risk behaviors related to smoking, diet, physical activity.

Results. 50.45% of the subjects were smokers. The prevalence of smoking remains high especially among men (p=0.05). Studying the types of food and the frequency of consumption we found that the nutrition of the subjects consisted of large amounts of saturated fats, higher in men between 40-49 years (41.67%) and women aged 30-39 years (33.33%). Leisure physical activity showed that half of the respondents performed recreational activities every 4-6 weeks (56.6%) and only 13.21% performed them regularly.

Conclusions. The prevalence of cardiovascular risk behaviors has a significant prevalence in the studied population. Any health promotion strategy aims to raise awareness in the population on health risks and to encourage the change or risk behaviors, by sustaining positive behavior change.