Heart disease prevention practices among immigrant Vietnamese women.
BACKGROUND
Cardiovascular disease is a leading cause of death in the United States as well as in many countries around the world, including Vietnam.


METHODS
Using data from a household survey of Vietnamese American women aged 20-79 years in Seattle, Washington, collected in 2006 and 2007, we examined heart disease prevention practices. Multivariable analyses were conducted to examine the relationship between demographic factors and preventive behaviors.


RESULTS
A total of 1523 immigrant women completed interviews. The average daily consumption of fruits and vegetables was 3.5 servings, and 31% of our sample reported being physically active (engaging in at least 30 minutes of physical activity 5 or more days per week). Few respondents reported being current smokers (1.5%). Over three quarters of women had received a recent blood pressure check and a recent cholesterol check. Age and length of time in the United States were strongly associated with several cardiovascular prevention behaviors.


CONCLUSIONS
Our findings confirm the need for continued efforts to develop and implement targeted educational campaigns to reduce the risk of cardiovascular disease among Vietnamese American women.
Coronado
Gloria D
GD
Cancer Prevention Program, Fred Hutchinson Cancer Research Center, Seattle, Washington 98109, USA. gcoronad@fhcrc.org
Woodall
Erica D
ED
Do
Hoai
H
Li
Lin
L
Yasui
Yutaka
Y
Taylor
Vicky M
VM
D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D001213:Asian / Q000523:psychology* / Q000706:statistics & numerical data*; D040343:Behavioral Risk Factor Surveillance System; D002318:Cardiovascular Diseases / Q000208:ethnology / Q000517:prevention & control*; D004641:Emigration and Immigration; D005260:Female; D015438:Health Behavior / Q000208:ethnology*; D007722:Health Knowledge, Attitudes, Practice; D006801:Humans; D007407:Interviews as Topic; D016015:Logistic Models; D008875:Middle Aged; D014744:Vietnam / Q000208:ethnology; D014861:Washington; D016387:Women's Health / Q000208:ethnology