THE GOOD HEART, GOOD LIFE SURVEY - SELF-REPORTED CARDIOVASCULAR-DISEASE RISK-FACTORS, HEALTH KNOWLEDGE AND ATTITUDES AMONG GREEK-AUSTRALIANS IN SYDNEY

This survey aimed to assess the prevalence and knowledge of coronary r isk factors and self-perceived coronary heart disease risk among Greek -Australians in the Marrickville area of inner Sydney. A random sample of 834 household addresses was selected from the 2 403 households hav ing Greek-Australian surnames on the electoral roll. In each household , one individual aged 18 years or over was selected using a Kish grid, and a questionnaire was administered by a bilingual interviewer. Ques tions concerned knowledge of and self-reported risk factors for corona ry heart-disease, and ratings of perceived stress, social support and networks. There was a response rate of 81 per cent of actual Greek-Aus tralian households, a total of 541 interviews (61 per cent women). Mos t of the sample (86 per cent) were born in Greece and 77 per cent of i nterviews were administered in Greek. The age-adjusted male prevalence s of self-reported smoking, high blood pressure, high blood cholestero l and body mass index over 26 kg/m2 were 44 per cent, 5 per cent, 14 p er cent and 58 per cent, respectively. The age-adjusted female prevale nces of self-reported smoking, high blood pressure, high blood cholest erol and body mass index over 26 kg/m2 were 19 per cent, 8 per cent, 1 5 per cent and 40 per cent, respectively. Compared to the National Hea rt Foundation risk-factor prevalence survey, the prevalence of self-re ported high blood pressure was lower, but obesity and, among males, sm oking, were higher. Low levels of education and poor English-language skills among older Greek-Australians may be contributing to the proble m. There is a need for linguistically and culturally appropriate healt h promotion programs for communities of non-English-speaking backgroun d.