Health-related Behavioral Factors Research Articles

Factors Affecting Adherence to Social Distancing among Adults Aged 19-44 Years: Insights from a Nationwide Survey during COVID-19 Pandemic.

Background and Objectives: Before COVID-19 vaccinations became available, adhering to non-pharmaceutical interventions (NPIs), like social distancing (SD), wearing masks, and hand hygiene, were crucial to mitigating viral spread. Many studies reported that younger individuals were more reluctant to follow these measures compared with older ones. We hypothesized that it would be worthwhile to find factors that influenced SD compliance among young people during the pre-vaccination phase of a pandemic. Materials and Methods: We analyzed data of adults aged 19-44 from the 2020 South Korean Community Health Survey and compared socio-demographic, health-related behavioral, and psychological factors between compliant and non-compliant cohorts. Results: A total of 59,943 participants were enrolled and we found that older age groups (30-39 and 40-44) and safety concerns (such as viral infection, virus-related death, economic damage, and transmitting virus to vulnerable people) were significantly associated with adherence to SD. Conversely, participants who were not living with a spouse, were unable to stay at home despite symptoms, smoked, drank, and had a negative attitude toward government policy statistically correlated with non-compliance. Conclusions: In times when NPIs were the primary defense against the pandemic, it is essential to identify factors that positively or negatively affect individual compliance with them, especially among young people. Using a large-scale, well-designed national survey, we could gain insights into the early recognition of risk factors for non-compliance and appropriate follow-up interventions (i.e., education campaigns, clear communication of public guidelines, and implementation of guidelines), which will help people to avoid suffering from other waves of future infectious diseases.

Association of Urine (pH < 5.5) with Community Periodontal Index (CPI) and the Number of Remaining Teeth in Korean Adults: A Cross-Sectional Study Using Data from Korea National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey 2016-2018.

This study aims to determine the association between UpH (<5.5), Community Periodontal Index (CPI), and the number of remaining teeth-cumulative indicators of oral health-using data from the 7th Korea National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey (KNHANES, 2016-2018), which represents the Korean population. Data from 12,689 adults aged 19 years and older who had periodontal examinations were analyzed. Logistic regression analysis was performed after adjusting for demographic, health, and health-related behavioral factors as covariates to determine the association between UpH, CPI, and the number of remaining teeth. This study found that UpH (<5.5) was associated with CPI and the number of remaining teeth. For UpH (<5.5), the odds ratio for CPI (≥4 mm) was 1.19 times (95% CI: 1.06-1.33). The risk of tooth loss was 1.25 times (95% CI: 1.06-1.48) for those with 0-19 remaining teeth and 1.20 times (95% CI: 1.07-1.34) for those with 20-27 teeth. The results revealed an association between UpH, CPI, and the number of remaining teeth. However, further longitudinal research on UpH and oral status is necessary.

Prevalence and associated factors of overweight and obesity among medical students from the Western Balkans (South-East Europe Region).

Being overweight and obese is associated with an elevated risk of developing noncommunicable diseases, which are the leading causes of mortality worldwide. It is a warning that global prevalence of overweight among university students ranges from 20 to 40%, which presents a significant public health problem. To date, there was no research conducted on medical students regarding the prevalence and associated factors of overweight and obesity in the countries of the Western Balkans (Slovenia, Croatia, Bosnia and Herzegovina, North Macedonia, and Serbia). The aim of this study was to determine the prevalence and potential demographic, socioeconomic, and health-related behavioral factors associated with overweight and obesity of medical students from Western Balkans. A cross-sectional study was conducted, surveying 2452 students from 14 medical faculties from 5 countries in the region. The prevalence of overweight was 12% and obesity was 2.3% among medical students from Western Balkans. Male gender and smoking status are significant positive predictors of overweight and obesity. Daily level of physical activity up to 1h per day, going to preventive check-ups once a year or as a part of annual dormitory check-ups are associated with lower odds of being overweight and obese. By creating adequate public health educational programs, students can be influenced to acquire proper health-related lifestyle habits, which would lead to reducing the prevalence of overweight and obesity among the student population, as well as risk of developing noncommunicable diseases and improving the overall health of the population.

Impact of health-related behavioral factors on participation in a cervical cancer screening program: the lifelines population-based cohort

BackgroundRegular participation in cervical cancer screening is critical to reducing mortality. Although certain sociodemographic factors are known to be associated with one-time participation in screening, little is known about other factors that could be related to regular participation. Therefore, this study evaluated the association between health-related behavioral factors and regular participation in cervical cancer screening.MethodsThe Lifelines population-based cohort was linked to data for cervical cancer screening from the Dutch Nationwide Pathology Databank. We included women eligible for all four screening rounds between 2000 and 2019, classifying them as regular (4 attendances), irregular (1–3 attendances), and never participants. Multinomial logistic regression was performed to evaluate the association between behavioral factors and participation regularity, with adjustment made for sociodemographic factors.ResultsOf the 48,325 included women, 55.9%, 35.1%, and 9% were regular, irregular, and never screening participants. After adjustment for sociodemographic factors, the likelihood of irregular or never screening participation was increased by smoking, obesity, marginal or inadequate sleep duration, alcohol consumption and low physical activity, while it was decreased by hormonal contraception use.ConclusionAn association exists between unhealthy behavioral factors and never or irregular participation in cervical cancer screening.

Findings from the Indonesian family life survey on patterns and factors associated with multimorbidity

The prevalence of multimorbidity tends to increase with age, but it is now also reported in the middle-aged population, which has a negative impact on healthcare systems and health outcomes. This study aims to analyze the patterns and factors associated with multimorbidity in Indonesia. This national cross-sectional population-based survey used publicly available data from the Indonesian Family Life Survey (IFLS-5) for 2014 among middle-aged (40–59 years old) and elderly (≥ 60 years old) respondents. Information on all chronic diseases was assessed using a self-reported questionnaire. Sociodemographic and health-related behavioral factors were obtained from self-reported data. Binary logistic regression analysis was used to identify the factors associated with multimorbidity. Adjusted odds ratios (AORs) with 95% confidence intervals (CIs) were reported. The study recruited 11,867 respondents. The prevalence of multimorbidity was 18.6% (95% CI 17.9–19.3) with which 15.6% among middle age (95% CI 14.95–16.25) and 24.9% among the elderly (95% CI 24.12–25.68). Hypertension was the most commonly reported disease (23.2%) in all combinations of multimorbidity and among all age groups. Socio-demographic factors: elderly (AOR: 1.66; 95% CI 1.46–1.89), female (AOR: 1.42; 95% CI 1.20–1.69), living in the urban area (AOR: 1.22; 95% CI 1.09–1.38), higher educational level (AOR: 2.49; 95% CI 1.91–3.26), unemployed (AOR: 1.63; 95% CI 1.44–1.84), and higher economic level (AOR: 1.41; 95% CI 1.18–1.68) were associated with multimorbidity. Poor health behavior factors: being former smokers (AOR: 2.03; 95% CI 1.65–2.51) and obesity (AOR: 1.53; 95% CI 1.35–1.75) were also associated with multimorbidity. The prevalence of multimorbidity in the middle-aged and elderly population in Indonesia is relatively high, particularly in populations with poor health behaviors. Therefore, healthcare professionals should integrate more patient-specific factors when designing and implementing tailored interventions to manage multimorbidity in Indonesia.

Main results and public health implications of the National School Health Survey (ENSE), Colombia 2017.

The school population represents a fundamental group for health promotion actions, given that the foundations of healthy behaviors in adult life are established in children and adolescents, who can be greatly influenced by the school. To describe the health-related behavioral factors of schoolchildren between 13 and 17 years of age in secondary and middle school in Colombia. A national cross-sectional study was conducted (i.e., School Health Survey -ENSE-) that recorded information on dietary practices, physical activity, alcohol and drug consumption, injuries and bullying, and oral, visual and hearing health. Sampling was probabilistic, cluster and multistage. Schoolchildren have low consumption of fruits, vegetables (13.1%) and dairy (76.5 %), high consumption of ultra-processed foods (82.4 %), sugary drinks (74.0 %) and fast foods (14.8 %), frequent addition of salt at the table (43.3 %), low compliance with physical activity recommendations (15.0 %) and high sedentary lifestyle (46.3 %), frequent consumption of alcohol (44.7 %) and psychoactive substances (14.7 %), in addition to prevalent situations of bullying (15.4 %), rejection (8.2 %) and verbal aggression (42.7 %). The ENSE shows critical inequalities by gender, ethnicity and social class, throughout the country. The indicators observed in schoolchildren are precursors of various chronic and degenerative diseases and mental illness, which requires the urgent attention of the different social actors in the country.

Association of study- and health behavior-related factors with university students’ health and health literacy - A monocenter cross-sectional study in Germany

Association of study- and health behavior-related factors with university students’ health and health literacy - A monocenter cross-sectional study in Germany

Unhealthy weight control behaviors and related factors by gender and weight status: Results from a nationally representative sample of Korean adolescents

Given the serious consequences of unhealthy weight control behaviors (UWCB) among adolescents, identifying factors contributing to it in this population is crucial. Although gender differences have been reported as UWCB-related factors, studies on weight status remain limited. Hence, using a nationally representative sample, we investigated the differences in UWCB-related factors by gender and weight status. Most sociodemographic, health-related behavior, psychosocial, and school factors were remarkably correlated with UWCB in the normal-weight female group; however, they demonstrated most inconsistent correlations in the overweight female group. Overall, this study suggests that UWCB-preventing interventions in adolescents should be customized by gender and weight status.

Health-related factors leading to disabilities in Korea: Survival analysis.

The purpose of this study is to analyze (a) population and socioeconomic factors affecting disability, excluding the occurrence of disability due to accidents and congenital diseases, and (b) health-related behavioral factors and factors that can prevent and reduce the cause of disability due to disease in Korea. This study was a longitudinal research. Data were obtained from The 2018 Korean Health Panel (KHP) is a survey jointly conducted by the Korea Institute of Health and Social Affairs and the National Health Insurance Service. A total of 7, 372 (Mage = 52.14, SD = 21.39; Male = 47.52%) were analyzed in this study. People with Higher education attainments and more income levels were associated with lower hazard of developing new disabilities (all p < 0.05). In this study, the health factors that could be related to the occurrence of new disabilities were smoking, alcohol consumption, physical activity, and stress (all p < 0.0001). However, physical activity was negatively associated with the risk of developing a disability at all follow-ups (p < 0.05). Higher scores on the number of chronic diseases (valid scores = 0, 1, 2, 3, or more) represented a greater level of newly developing disability present at all follow-ups (all p < 0.0001). This longitudinal study confirmed the relationship between health-related factors and specific chronic diseases. Its findings can be used as a crucial foundation for establishing healthcare policies and services that can lower and prevent disability by preventing and reducing specific negative health behaviors and unhealthy behavioral factors, and alleviating chronic diseases in Korea.

Stressful Life Events and Chronic Fatigue Among Chinese Government Employees: A Population-Based Cohort Study.

BackgroundCurrently, evidence on the role of stressful life events in fatigue among the Chinese working adults is lacking. This study aimed at exploring the prospective associations between stressful life events and chronic fatigue among Chinese government employees.MethodsFrom January 2018 to December 2019, a total of 16206 government employees were included at baseline and they were followed-up until May 2021. A digital self-reported questionnaire platform was established to collect information on participants' health and covariates. Life events were assessed by the Life Events Scale (LES), fatigue was assessed by using a single item, measuring the frequency of its occurrence. Binary logistic regression analysis was used for the data analysis.ResultsOf the included 16206 Chinese government employees at baseline, 60.45% reported that they experienced negative stressful life events and 43.87% reported that they experienced positive stressful life events over the past year. Fatigue was reported by 7.74% of the sample at baseline and 8.19% at follow-up. Cumulative number of life events at baseline, and cumulative life events severity score at baseline were positively associated with self-reported fatigue at follow up, respectively. After adjusting sociodemographic factors, occupational factors and health behavior related factors, negative life events at baseline (OR: 2.06, 95% CI: 1.69–2.51) were significantly associated with self-reported fatigue at follow-up. Some specific life events including events related to work and events related to economic problems were significantly associated with self-reported fatigue. Specifically, work stress (OR = 1.76, 95%CI: 1.45–2.13), as well as not satisfied with the current job (OR = 1.95, 95%CI: 1.58–2.40), in debt (OR = 1.75, 95%CI: 1.40–2.17) were significantly associated with self-reported fatigue. The economic situation has improved significantly (OR = 0.62, 95%CI: 0.46–0.85) at baseline was significantly associated with lower incidence of self-reported fatigue.ConclusionNegative stressful life events were associated with fatigue among Chinese government employees. Effective interventions should be provided to employees who have experienced negative stressful life events.

Cohort profile: the Liyang cohort study on chronic diseases and risk factors monitoring in China (Liyang Study)

PurposeThe Liyang cohort study on chronic diseases and risk factors monitoring in China (Liyang Study) is a prospective population-based study which aims to investigate and identify the determinants of the...

Self-rated health may be a predictor for metabolic syndrome and high hs-CRP prevalences in healthy adults in South Korea: Based on the 2015 Korea National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey

Self-rated health (SRH), affected by sociodemographic and health-related behavioral factors, is related to metabolic syndrome (MetS) and high-sensitivity C-reactive protein (hs-CRP) levels. We hypothesized that SRH would have an independent effect on MetS and high hs-CRP incidence in healthy adults after adjusting for sociodemographic and health-related behavioral confounding factors. Data of 1545 healthy participants (aged 19-65 years; 654 men), selected from the 2015 Korean National Health and Nutritional Examination Survey, were cross-sectionally analyzed. The SRH levels significantly increased with higher income (P < .05) and educational levels (P < .01) and were associated with sex, job, marital status, smoking, physical activity, perceived body image, and weight change (all P < .05). The percentage of participants with “very high or high” perceived stress were significantly lower in the “very healthy” group (18.5%) than in the “unhealthy” group (49.7%). Dietary protein, calcium, and phosphorus intakes were significantly higher with better SRH levels. MetS prevalence was related to sex, educational level, job, marital status, smoking, high-intensity exercise, and aerobic exercise (all P < .05), with a 2.776 times higher risk in the “unhealthy” than in the “very healthy” group after adjusting for these confounders. High hs-CRP levels were related to marital status, smoking, weekly walking, and aerobic exercise (all P < .05), with its risk being 2.093 times higher in the “unhealthy” than in the “very healthy” group after adjusting for these confounders. Thus, SRH may be an independent predictor of MetS and high hs-CRP levels and could be used for the development of a health promotion program in healthy adults.

Potential risk groups and psychological, psychosocial, and health behavioral predictors of pharmacological neuroenhancement among university students in Germany

Aiming to develop and implement intervention strategies targeting pharmacological neuroenhancement (PN) among university students more specifically, we (1) assessed the prevalence of PN among German university students, (2) identified potential sociodemographic and study-related risk groups, and (3) investigated sociodemographic, psychological, study-related psychosocial, general psychosocial and health behavior related factors predicting the 12-month prevalence of PN. Therefore, a cross-sectional online survey was administered to students of the University of Mainz, Germany. A binary logistic regression with stepwise inclusion of the five variable groups was performed to predict PN. A total number of 4351 students out of 31,213 registered students (13.9%) participated in the survey, of which N = 3984 answered the question concerning PN. Of these, 10.4% had used one substance for PN at least once in the past 12 months. The regression analysis revealed 13 variables that were significantly related to the 12-month prevalence of PN. Specifically, the group of health behavior related variables showed the strongest relationship with PN. Therefore, an approach to the prevention of PN should be multifactorial so that it addresses social conditions, as well as education on substance use and healthy behaviors in terms of non-pharmacological strategies as alternatives of PN.

Self-perceived health in older adults with low education: demographic, social and health-related behavior factors

Resumo Objetivo Verificar a relação entre a autopercepção de saúde positiva (AS positiva) em idosos de baixa escolaridade com variáveis demográficas, de participação social e comportamentais. Método Tratou-se de um estudo transversal (n=12.367), com idosos de mais de 60 anos de ambos os sexos, com até quatro anos de estudo de diversas cidades do Brasil entrevistados pela Pesquisa Nacional de Saúde do ano de 2019. Para a análise de dados, inicialmente, realizou-se a descrição das prevalências e, posteriormente, construíram-se três modelos de regressão de Poisson com ajuste robusto para variância, sendo as análises estratificadas por sexo. Resultados A prevalência de AS positiva foi de 38,8% nos homens e 34,8% nas mulheres. No último modelo de regressão construído foram encontradas associações com menores prevalências de AS positiva nas mulheres pretas ou pardas, enquanto maiores prevalências foram encontradas nas solteiras, com renda mais elevada, que participam de alguma associação, de atividades religiosas, iam ao médico com mais frequência, eram fisicamente ativas e consumiam regularmente frutas e hortaliças. Nos homens, foram encontradas menores prevalências nos pretos ou pardos e nos viúvos, já maiores prevalências foram encontradas naqueles que participavam de atividades religiosas e iam ao médico mais frequentemente. Conclusões O estudo reforça a importância de políticas para a melhoria de renda, bem como para promoção de comportamentos saudáveis e estímulo a participação social.

1469Inequalities in diabetes management by area deprivation: the mediating role of healthcare resource distribution

Abstract Background We sought to identify the existence of regional socioeconomic inequalities in diabetes management and to examine whether the distribution of healthcare resources could explain regional inequalities in diabetes management. Methods Data were derived from the Korean Community Health Survey in 2018. Our study subjects included 23,760 participants who have been diagnosed with diabetes by a doctor. The dependent variables were self-reported glycemic control, Hemoglobin A1c (HbA1c) testing, recognition of the term HbA1c, and diabetic complications testing. Socio-demographics, health behavior-related factors, and factors related to regional healthcare resources were considered as potential mediating variables in explaining the association between diabetes management and area deprivation. A multilevel logistic regression analysis was used. Results Compared to the least deprived area, the likelihood of not taking HbA1c tests, not recognizing the term HbA1c, and not taking diabetic complication tests in the most deprived area were approximately 1.5, 2.6, and 2 times higher, respectively. In the most deprived areas, the coefficient of variation value of clinics was the highest and the number of doctors was the lowest. Regional healthcare resource factors explained regional inequalities in managing diabetes by 14% to 18%, especially in the most deprived area. Conclusions Policy interventions for more even distribution of healthcare resources would contribute to reducing the magnitude of regional inequalities in diabetes management. Key messages Our study suggests that reducing inequality in diabetes management could be possible through the appropriate allocation of healthcare resources.

Abstract P146: Sex Differences In The Association Between Systolic Blood Pressure And Carotid Distensibility In Adults

Background and Aim: We explored sex differences in the association between systolic and diastolic blood pressure (SBP), in early adulthood with carotid plaques, carotid IMT and carotid distensibility (CD) in mid-adulthood. Methods: Participants in the Childhood Determinants of Adult Health study at ages 26-36 years were followed-up at ages 39-49 years. Systolic BP and diastolic BP and carotid ultrasound measures (plaques, IMT and CD) were performed in clinics. We used log binomial and linear regression models with risk factor*gender interactions for predicting these carotid measures. Sex-stratified models adjusted for sociodemographic, health-related behavior and biomedical factors were fitted when likelihood ratio tests suggested the effect of risk factors on outcomes differed by sex. Results: Among 1,286 participants (53% women), men, compared to women, had higher prevalence of carotid plaques (17% vs. 10%), thicker carotid IMT (Mean 0.66 ± 0.09 vs. 0.61 ± 0.07) and lower CD (Mean 1.87 ± 0.60 vs. 2.37 ± 0.77). In women, greater SBP in early adulthood was sharply associated with significantly smaller CD (β -0.016 95%CI -0.023, -0.010 vs. β -0.006 95%CI -0.012, -0.001) than men in mid-adulthood adjusted for sociodemographic factors (Figure 1a). In analyses restricted to women, the effect of SBP on CD has decreased after adjusting for age, education, occupation, DBP and use of contraceptives (β -0.009 95%CI -0.019, 0.000) (Figure 1b). Conclusion: CV health was worse in men than women. However, elevated SBP in women put them at greater risk of poorer CV health compared to men, which was partly explained by sociodemographic, biomedical and female-specific factors.

Abstract P183: Contribution Of Childhood Risk Factors To Sex Differences In Adult Carotid Imt And Plaques: The Childhood Determinants Of Adult Health Study

Background: Understanding the origins of sex differences in cardiovascular diseases (CVD) may help with prevention. We examined sex differences in carotid artery IMT and plaques in adulthood including the contribution of childhood risk factors. Methods: Boys and girls aged 7-15 years old from the Australian Schools Health and Fitness Survey in 1985 were followed up in the Childhood Determinants of Adult Health study at ages 36-49 years between 2014-19. Sex differences in adult carotid IMT and plaques, identified with 2D ultrasound of left and right carotid arteries, were examined with linear and log binomial regression, respectively. Childhood sociodemographic, psychosocial, health-related behavioural and biomedical risk factors that might contribute to sex differences in carotid IMT/plaques were identified with purposeful model building. Results: Among 1,286 men and women with vascular measurements of carotid IMT (53% women, mean carotid IMT 0.63 mm ± 0.09 standard deviation) women had thinner carotid IMT measurements than men (β coefficients -0.053 95% CI -0.063, -0.043). Adjusting for age standardised waist circumference (WC), waist/hip ratio (WHR), waist/height ratio (WHtR) and systolic blood pressure (SBP) in childhood reduced the sex difference of carotid IMT in adulthood (see Figure), but a significant sex-difference in carotid IMT remained. Women had a 42% lower risk of plaques than men (Relative Risk 0.58 95% CI 0.42, 0.79). School achievement levels, endurance/power fitness and SBP in childhood partially explained the sex difference in the prevalence of plaques at adulthood (see Figure) as the sex difference decreased and became statistically insignificant. Conclusion: Various factors in childhood had contributed to thicker carotid IMT and higher prevalence of carotid plaques in men compared to women. These findings suggest that the origins of adult sex differences in CVD may begin in childhood. There may be benefits of sex-specific primary prevention programs starting in childhood.

Association between urbanisation and the risk of hyperuricaemia among Chinese adults: a cross-sectional study from the China Health and Nutrition Survey (CHNS)

ObjectiveTo explore the association between urbanicity and hyperuricaemia (HUA) and whether urbanicity is an independent risk factor for HUA in Chinese adults.DesignData analysis from a cross-sectional survey.Setting and participants8579 subjects...

Optimism and telomere length among African American adults in the Jackson Heart Study

BackgroundOptimism is linked with greater longevity in both White and African American populations. Optimism may enhance longevity by slowing cellular aging, for which leukocyte telomere shortening is a biomarker. However, limited studies have examined the association of optimism with leukocyte telomere length among African Americans. MethodsData are from 723 men and 1244 women participating in the Jackson Heart Study (age = 21–93 years). We used multivariable linear regression models to conduct cross-sectional analyses examining whether higher optimism was associated with longer mean absolute leukocyte telomere length (assayed with Southern blot analysis). Models adjusted for sociodemographic characteristics, depressive symptomatology, health conditions, and health behavior-related factors. We also considered potential effect modification by key factors. ResultsIn the age-adjusted model, optimism, measured as a continuous variable, was not associated with leukocyte telomere length (β = 0.01, 95%CI: −0.02, 0.04). This association remained null in the fully-adjusted model (β = 0.02, 95%CI: −0.02, 0.05) and was also null when considering optimism as a binary measure (higher vs. lower optimism). We found no evidence of effect modification by sex, age, body mass index, income, or chronic conditions. ConclusionsOptimism was not associated with leukocyte telomere length among African American adults. Future studies should investigate alternate biological and behavioral mechanisms that may explain the optimism-health association.

Caries experience among adults in core Sámi areas of Northern Norway.

Dental caries is a major oral health problem among indigenous people worldwide, but knowledge on this issue among the indigenous Sámi people in Norway is scarce. The aim of the study was to describe dental caries experience in an adult population in core Sámi areas of Northern Norway and to assess the corresponding associations with socio-demographic, socioeconomic and oral health-related behavioural factors. This cross-sectional study is based on data from the Dental Health in the North study (2033 participants aged 18-75years). A questionnaire was used to collect data on socio-demographic, socioeconomic and oral health-related behavioural factors. Clinical examinations were performed by dentists and dental hygienists at Public Dental Service (PDS) clinics in core Sámi areas of Northern Norway. About 68% (n=1380) of participants reported Sámi ethnicity, and the mean number of decayed (D), missed (M) and filled (F) teeth (T) was 16.2 (standard deviation [SD]=6.7). The mean DMFT was 15.7 (SD=6.7) among Sámi and 17.0 (SD=6.7) among non-Sámi. The mean DT among Sámi was 1.0 (SD=1.6), with a significant, higher prevalence among coastal Sámi (DT=1.3, SD=1.8) than inland Sámi (DT=0.8, SD=1.5). Living in the coastal region, consumption of sugary soft drinks several times a week or daily, toothbrushing less than daily and irregular dental visits were associated with DT. Caries experience among adults in core Sámi areas of Northern Norway was common. Dental caries were more common in the coastal than the inland region, with minor differences in caries experience between Sámi and non-Sámi people within these regions.