title: Risk factors for cardiovascular disease in rural area of Croatia.
abstract: Rural areas, where 47.6% of the Croatian population lives are not generally the focus of research; yet there are challenges which affect the rural population that often go unreported. These communities often exhibit disadvantages in many areas of health. The aim of this study is to examine the specific health needs and related determinants of rural populations influenced by transition that were affected by the consequences of war. The focus of the research is rural lifestyle, behaviour and cardiovascular risk factors in three villages of Sisacko-moslavacka County. Results show that participants generally understand that their own lifestyles influence their health, but they often neglect to change their behaviour to improve their health. This can be explained through complex socio-economic conditions and traditional values of their heritage. These results suggest a need for further research on health status, attitude, and behaviour of Croatia's rural population. Specific public health intervention and services for rural populations must be promoted.
authors.affiliation: University of Zagreb, School of Medicine, "Andrija Stampar" School of Public Health, Zagreb, Croatia. adzakula@snz.hr
authors.forename: Aleksandar
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Dzakula
authors.forename: Adis
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Keranović
authors.forename: Vanja
authors.initials: V
authors.lastname: Crnica
authors.forename: Marjeta
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Majer
authors.forename: Natasa
authors.initials: N
authors.lastname: Janev Holcer
authors.forename: Slavica
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Sović
authors.forename: Bojana
authors.initials: B
authors.lastname: Bolić
authors.forename: Nikolina Antonia
authors.initials: NA
authors.lastname: Domokus
authors.forename: Ivanka
authors.initials: I
authors.lastname: Drazić
authors.forename: Marija
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Vugrincić
authors.forename: Davor
authors.initials: D
authors.lastname: Zibar
authors.forename: Nikola
authors.initials: N
authors.lastname: Blazević
authors.forename: Tea
authors.initials: T
authors.lastname: Friscić
authors.forename: Tea
authors.initials: T
authors.lastname: Korać
authors.forename: Ilda
authors.initials: I
authors.lastname: Bander
authors.forename: Silvije
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Vuletić
mesh_terms: D002318:Cardiovascular Diseases / Q000453:epidemiology*; D017523:Croatia / Q000453:epidemiology; D005260:Female; D006301:Health Services Needs and Demand; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D012307:Risk Factors; D012424:Rural Population