title: [Drinking/smoking habits and knowledge regarding heavy drinking/ smoking as a risk factor of stroke among Japanese general population].
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  We examined the knowledge regarding heavy drinking and smoking as risk factors of stroke according to drinking/smoking habits among randomly selected Japanese general population.
  
  
  METHODS
  The Japan Stroke Association and co-researchers have performed a large-scale educational intervention to improve knowledge concerning stroke from 2006 to 2008. Prior to above-mentioned intervention, we conducted mail-surveillance on knowledge about stroke in 11,306 randomly selected residents aged 40 to 74. We assessed the relationship between drinking/smoking habits and knowledge regarding heavy drinking and smoking as risk factors by using the chi-square test and multiple logistic regression analysis adjusting for age, sex, area, employment, living situation, history of stroke and other stroke related diseases, history of liver disease, family history of stroke and drinking (non-drinker / ex-drinker / occasional drinker / habitual drinker) / smoking habits (non-smoker / ex-smoker / current smoker).
  
  
  RESULTS
  Total 5,540 subjects (49.0%) participated in this study. Ex-smokers and current smokers had better knowledge regarding smoking as a risk factor of stroke than non-smokers (odds ratio and 95% confidence intervals: 1.89, 1.55-2.31, 1.76, 1.45-2.12, respectively).
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  There was no difference between habitual drinkers and non-drinkers in their knowledge, whereas current smokers had greater knowledge regarding smoking than nonsmokers. Accordingly, it is suggested that it will be necessary for habitual drinkers to be enlightened regarding heavy drinking as a risk factor of stroke and for current smokers to be provided with information regarding not only these risks but also the specific strategies for invoking behavioral changes.
authors.affiliation: Department of Clinical Nursing, Shiga University of Medical Science, Setatsukinowa-cho, Otsu-shi, Shiga 520-2192, Japan.
authors.forename: Akiko
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Morimoto
authors.forename: Naomi
authors.initials: N
authors.lastname: Miyamatsu
authors.forename: Tomonori
authors.initials: T
authors.lastname: Okamura
authors.forename: Hirohumi
authors.initials: H
authors.lastname: Nakayama
authors.forename: Miho
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Morinaga
authors.forename: Akihiro
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Toyota
authors.forename: Kazuo
authors.initials: K
authors.lastname: Suzuki
authors.forename: Takashi
authors.initials: T
authors.lastname: Hata
authors.forename: Takenori
authors.initials: T
authors.lastname: Yamaguchi
mesh_terms: D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D000428:Alcohol Drinking / Q000009:adverse effects* / Q000453:epidemiology; D044466:Asian People; D005260:Female; D006184:Habits; D006266:Health Education; D006801:Humans; D007564:Japan / Q000453:epidemiology; D019359:Knowledge; D016015:Logistic Models; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D012307:Risk Factors; D012907:Smoking / Q000009:adverse effects* / Q000453:epidemiology; D020521:Stroke / Q000209:etiology*; D011795:Surveys and Questionnaires