Health-risk behaviour in Croatia.
OBJECTIVE
To identify the health-risk behaviour of various homogeneous clusters of individuals.


METHODS
The study was conducted in 13 of the 20 Croatian counties and in Zagreb, the Croatian capital. In the first stage, general practices were selected in each county. The second-stage sample was created by drawing a random subsample of 10% of the patients registered at each selected general practice.


METHODS
The sample was divided into seven homogenous clusters using statistical methodology, combining multiple factor analysis with a hybrid clustering method.


RESULTS
Seven homogeneous clusters were identified, three composed of males and four composed of females, based on statistically significant differences between selected characteristics (P<0.001). Although, in general, self-assessed health declined with age, significant variations were observed within specific age intervals. Higher levels of self-assessed health were associated with higher levels of education and/or socio-economic status. Many individuals, especially females, who self-reported poor health were heavy consumers of sleeping pills. Males and females reported different health-risk behaviours related to lifestyle, diet and use of the healthcare system. Heavy alcohol and tobacco use, unhealthy diet, risky physical activity and non-use of the healthcare system influenced self-assessed health in males. Females were slightly less satisfied with their health than males of the same age and educational level. Even highly educated females who took preventive healthcare tests and ate a healthy diet reported a less satisfactory self-assessed level of health than expected.


CONCLUSIONS
Sociodemographic characteristics, life style, self-assessed health and use of the healthcare system were used in the identification of seven homogeneous population clusters. A comprehensive analysis of these clusters suggests health-related prevention and intervention efforts geared towards specific populations.
Bécue-Bertaut
Mónica
M
Department of Statistics and Operational Research, Polytechnical University of Catalonia, Barcelona, Spain.
Kern
Josipa
J
Hernández-Maldonado
Maria-Luisa
ML
Juresa
Vesna
V
Vuletic
Silvije
S
D000293:Adolescent; D000328:Adult; D000367:Age Factors; D016000:Cluster Analysis; D017523:Croatia / Q000453:epidemiology; D005260:Female; D015438:Health Behavior; D006296:Health Services / Q000706:statistics & numerical data*; D006304:Health Status; D054624:Health Status Disparities; D006801:Humans; D008019:Life Style; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D011314:Preventive Health Services / Q000706:statistics & numerical data; D012309:Risk-Taking; D012737:Sex Factors; D012959:Socioeconomic Factors