A comparative cross-cultural health survey in the Alpe-Adria region of Central Europe.
OBJECTIVE
To develop cross-culturally applicable health indicators.


METHODS
An interview survey was conducted in 4 communities of Austria, Italy and Slovenia, targeting a total sample of 800 subjects aged 18 to 70 years. 19 health indicators were assessed: among them self-reported ill-health, health behaviour, personal and social resources. Descriptive statistics were used for the comparison of the communities and multiple logistic regression to analyse correlating factors to the self-reported state of health in the different communities.


RESULTS
The study results demonstrate that the distribution of health indicators varies greatly over the 4 communities. Furthermore the correlations of health behaviour and health resources with self-reported health status are not homogenous in the different communities; in some cases they are even inverse.


CONCLUSIONS
This study illustrates the need for the development of a sound theoretical background and for careful application of cross-cultural health indicators.
Freidl
Wolfgang
W
Medical University of Graz, Austria Institute of Social Medicine and Epidemiology, Universitätsstrasse 6/1, A-8010, Graz, Austria. wolfgang.freidl@meduni-graz.at
Rosolen
Valentina
V
Albreht
Tit
T
Wegher
Lino
L
Barbone
Fabio
F
D000293:Adolescent; D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D001317:Austria; D015992:Body Mass Index; D003431:Cross-Cultural Comparison; D005260:Female; D015438:Health Behavior; D006305:Health Status Indicators; D006306:Health Surveys; D006801:Humans; D007389:Internal-External Control; D007558:Italy; D016015:Logistic Models; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D009017:Morbidity; D017524:Slovenia; D012931:Social Environment; D012944:Social Support; D012959:Socioeconomic Factors; D055815:Young Adult