Abstract
BackgroundThis study explores the associations between individual characteristics such as income and education with health behaviours and utilization of preventive screening.MethodsData from the Canadian National Population Health Survey (NPHS) 1998–9 were used. Independent variables were income, education, age, sex, marital status, body mass index, urban/rural residence and access to a regular physician. Dependent variables included smoking, excessive alcohol use, physical activity, blood pressure checks, mammography in past year and Pap smear in past 3 years. Logistic regression models were developed for each dependent variable.Results13,756 persons 20 years of age and older completed the health portion of the NPHS. In general, higher levels of income were associated with healthier behaviours, as were higher levels of education, although there were exceptions to both. The results for age and gender also varied depending on the outcome. The presence of a regular medical doctor was associated with increased rates of all preventive screening and reduced rates of smoking.ConclusionThese results expand upon previous data suggesting that socioeconomic disparities in healthy behaviours and health promotion continue to exist despite equal access to medical screening within the Canadian healthcare context. Knowledge, resources and the presence of a regular medical doctor are important factors associated with identified differences.
Highlights
This study explores the associations between individual characteristics such as income and education with health behaviours and utilization of preventive screening
The survey was conducted by computer assisted interviewing (CAI), which allowed interviews to be customized to each respondent
The Cox & Snell r2 provides an estimate of the percentage of variation in outcome accounted for by the model, while the Hosmer & Lemeshow X2 provides an estimate of model fit
Summary
This study explores the associations between individual characteristics such as income and education with health behaviours and utilization of preventive screening. A socioeconomic gradient favouring those with greater income exists for a variety of chronic conditions, including cardiovascular disease, most cancers, diabetes, hypertension, arthritis, respiratory disease, gastrointestinal disease and metabolic syndrome [1]. Many of these can be prevented, identified early, or ameliorated by screening and individual behaviour. Patterns of alcohol consumption are more complex, low socioeconomic status is linked to (page number not for citation purposes)
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