title: Trends and educational differences in non-communicable disease risk factors in Pitkäranta, Russia, from 1992 to 2007.
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  Mortality and morbidity from non-communicable diseases (NCDs) is a major public health problem in Russia. The aim of the study was to examine trends and educational differences from 1992 to 2007 in NCD risk factors in Pitkäranta in the Republic of Karelia, Russia.
  
  
  METHODS
  Four cross-sectional population health surveys were carried out in the Pitkäranta region, Republic of Karelia, Russia, in 1992, 1997, 2002, and 2007. An independent random sample of 1000 persons from the general population aged 25-64 years was studied in each survey round. The total number of respondents in the four surveys was 2672. The surveys included a questionnaire, physical measurements, and blood sampling, and they were carried out following standard protocols.
  
  
  RESULTS
  The NCD risk factor trends generally increased in Pitkäranta during the study period with the exception of systolic blood pressure and smoking among men. Especially significant increases were observed in alcohol consumption among both sexes and in smoking among women. Educational differences and differences in trends were relatively small with the exception of a significant increase in smoking in the lowest female educational category.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  Trends showing an increase in some major NCD risk factors and signs of emerging socio-economic differences call for stronger attention to effective health promotion and preventive policies in Russia.
authors.affiliation: North Karelia Center for Public Health, Finland tiina.vlasoff@kansanterveys.info.
authors.forename: Tiina
authors.initials: T
authors.lastname: Vlasoff
authors.affiliation: Division of Welfare and Health Promotion, National Institute for Health and Welfare, Finland Institute of Public Health and Clinical Nutrition, University of Eastern Finland, Finland North Karelia Hospital District, Finland.
authors.forename: Tiina
authors.initials: T
authors.lastname: Laatikainen
authors.affiliation: North Karelia Center for Public Health, Finland.
authors.forename: Vesa
authors.initials: V
authors.lastname: Korpelainen
authors.affiliation: Central Hospital of Pitkäranta, Republic of Karelia, Russia.
authors.forename: Mihail
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Uhanov
authors.affiliation: Central Hospital of Pitkäranta, Republic of Karelia, Russia.
authors.forename: Svetlana
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Pokusajeva
authors.affiliation: Department of Nursing Sciences, University of Eastern Finland, Finland.
authors.forename: Kerttu
authors.initials: K
authors.lastname: Tossavainen
authors.affiliation: Division of Welfare and Health Promotion, National Institute for Health and Welfare, Finland.
authors.forename: Erkki
authors.initials: E
authors.lastname: Vartiainen
authors.affiliation: Division of Welfare and Health Promotion, National Institute for Health and Welfare, Finland.
authors.forename: Pekka
authors.initials: P
authors.lastname: Puska
mesh_terms: D000328:Adult; D000428:Alcohol Drinking / Q000453:epidemiology; D001794:Blood Pressure; D002318:Cardiovascular Diseases / Q000453:epidemiology*; D003430:Cross-Sectional Studies; D004522:Educational Status; D005260:Female; D054624:Health Status Disparities; D006306:Health Surveys; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D012307:Risk Factors; D012426:Russia / Q000453:epidemiology; D012907:Smoking / Q000453:epidemiology
keywords: Alcohol; Russia; cardiovascular disease; education; health behavior; smoking