Parameters of the subjective and objective indicator of health among women of urban population

Abstract

Highlights. The subjective and objective indicator of health is the most important parameter characterizing the motivation of the population to preserve public health. In Russian and foreign epidemiological studies, differences in attitude to one`s health are dependent upon social and economic status, gender differences, ecology, and marital status. For the first time, the parameters of the subjective and objective indicator of health were determined among women in the population of a medium-sized urban city in Western Siberia. It must be mentioned that women remain to be the most vulnerable category of the population in terms of psychological stress. The data obtained using Tyumen`s population will assist in the prediction of the population`s response to preventive programs, estimation of the amount of preventive care needed, taking into account the expenses, and analysis of the effectiveness of possible intervention.Aim. To determine some parameters of the subjective and objective indicator of health (health attitudes and health self-assessment) among women in urban population.Methods. The epidemiological study included a representative sample of women of working age (25–64 years old) residing in the Central Administrative District of Tyumen, stratified by age (1 000 women, response rate 70.3%). The attitude of the population towards health was assessed using the standard WHO MONICA-psychosocial questionnaire “Awareness and Attitude towards Health”.Results. The obtained data revealed low responsibility for health among working age women (36.5–46.7%), and predominantly negative self-assessment of health (70.0%). The results showed a low responsibility for cardiovascular health in the female population (a fifth of the population trusted only their own feelings, and more than half of the population would not seek medical help for mild pain in the chest). A trend towards increasing negative self-assessment of health and increasing trust in the examination of a physician without additional examination was noted in the participants in young to middle age range.Conclusion. The subjective and objective indicator of population`s health requires further studies and can be used as a basis for the development and implementation of comprehensive preventive programs that take into account gender and age-dependent features and risks.