Young parents' understanding and actions related to the determinants of health.
Broad health determinants are accepted as key contributors to health; however, little is known about the public's understanding of these determinants. We describe the results of a survey of young parents (18-30 years) in Alberta regarding their understanding of determinants of health, and their actions (planned or undertaken) in promoting well-being and health for themselves, their families, and their communities. A telephone survey of young parents (N = 652) was conducted, using both open-ended and fixed response questions. In the open-ended responses, social support networks (46%) and personal health practices (40%) were most often cited as contributors to family well-being and health and as current actions (62% and 54% respectively). Health services were rarely mentioned as a contributor. Most frequently mentioned barriers to well-being and health related to income (36%) and coping skills (34%). Sub-sample differences by gender, age, income, and residence were detected. Fixed response questions indicated that parents rated a broad range of health determinants as "very important."
Reutter
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LI
Faculty of Nursing, 3rd Floor, Clinical Sciences Building, University of Alberta, Edmonton, AB T6G 2G3. linda.reutter@ualberta.ca
Dennis
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DN
Wilson
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DR
D000328:Adult; D000416:Alberta; D001364:Awareness; D019058:Community Networks; D005260:Female; D007722:Health Knowledge, Attitudes, Practice; D006306:Health Surveys; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D010290:Parents / Q000523:psychology*; D012944:Social Support; D012959:Socioeconomic Factors