Health lifestyles in Ukraine.
OBJECTIVE
Several studies have identified negative health lifestyles as a primary determinant of the mortality crisis in Europe's post-communist states, but little is known about Ukraine. In order to address this gap in the literature, this paper provides data on Ukrainian health lifestyles.


METHODS
Data were collected by face-to-face interviews in the households (N = 2 400) of a random sample of respondents in Ukraine in November, 2001. The sample was selected using multi-stage random sampling with stratification by region and area (urban/rural). Data were analyzed using logistic regression.


RESULTS
Male gender was found to be the most powerful single predictor of negative health lifestyles as shown in the results for frequent drinking, heavy vodka use at one occasion, smoking, and diet. Males rated their health status better than females, but over one-third of the males and one-half of the females rated their health status as rather bad or bad.


CONCLUSIONS
Gender and class differences in health lifestyle practices appear to be key variables, with working-class males showing the most negative practices. The results for health status suggest that the overall level of health in Ukraine is not good.
Cockerham
William C
WC
Dept of Sociology, University of Alabama at Birmingham, 35294, USA. wcocker@uab.edu
Hinote
Brian P
BP
Abbott
Pamela
P
Haerpfer
Christian
C
D000293:Adolescent; D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D000428:Alcohol Drinking / Q000009:adverse effects / Q000453:epidemiology; D000434:Alcoholic Beverages / Q000009:adverse effects; D003430:Cross-Sectional Studies; D005247:Feeding Behavior; D005260:Female; D005638:Fruit; D015438:Health Behavior; D006304:Health Status; D006801:Humans; D008019:Life Style; D008136:Longevity; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D011159:Population Surveillance; D012424:Rural Population / Q000706:statistics & numerical data; D012737:Sex Factors; D012907:Smoking / Q000009:adverse effects / Q000453:epidemiology; D012959:Socioeconomic Factors; D014455:Ukraine; D014505:Urban Population / Q000706:statistics & numerical data; D014675:Vegetables