title: [Prevalence of health affecting behavior factors among the population of Northern Lithuania].
abstract: The paper presents data on the prevalence of health affecting behavior factors--tobacco smoking and alcohol consumption in the region of Northern Lithuania (the districts of Birzai, Pasvalys and Pakruojis). In 1997-98, 1580 residents of this region were surveyed using the questionnaire prepared according to the recommendations of the WHO experts. Analysis of the study--patterns in tobacco smoking and consumption of alcoholic beverages--showed that 51.3% of males and 12.5% of females smoked every day. More male smokers were found in the countryside, while more female smokers--in towns. Most smokers were found in 30-39 year--old group (14.6% and 6.1%, respectively). Single women smoked more often than married ones or widows (p < 0.05). Irrespective of the marital status, the greatest proportion was of those who consumed alcohol at least once a month. There were 3.6 times more married women who never consumed alcoholic beverages compared to married men (p < 0.05). The prevalence rate of risk factors depended on education: men with higher education smoked more seldom than those with lower education; there were no men consuming alcohol every day among those with higher education; women with higher education smoked more often than those with lower education; with education getting higher, the number of women who never consumed alcohol was decreasing. In all age groups the highest proportion was of those who consumed alcohol once a month; somewhat lower was the proportion of those who consumed alcohol once a week.
authors.affiliation: Higienos instituto Ekologines medicinos centras, Didzioji 22, Vilnius. grazinaregaliene@hotmail.com
authors.forename: Grazina
authors.initials: G
authors.lastname: Regaliene
authors.forename: Natalija
authors.initials: N
authors.lastname: Jatuliene
authors.forename: Irena
authors.initials: I
authors.lastname: Paukstyte
authors.forename: Jevgenija
authors.initials: J
authors.lastname: Samuseva
authors.forename: Vida
authors.initials: V
authors.lastname: Taskūniene
authors.forename: Vaidotas
authors.initials: V
authors.lastname: Bagdonas
authors.forename: Alius
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Varvuolis
mesh_terms: D000293:Adolescent; D000328:Adult; D000367:Age Factors; D000428:Alcohol Drinking / Q000453:epidemiology*; D004493:Education; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D008097:Lithuania / Q000453:epidemiology; D008297:Male; D017533:Marital Status; D008875:Middle Aged; D015995:Prevalence; D012307:Risk Factors; D012737:Sex Factors; D012907:Smoking / Q000453:epidemiology*; D011795:Surveys and Questionnaires; D014944:World Health Organization