A behaviour risk factor survey in Jamaica

A population based probability sample of 958 persons (454 males and 504 fem ales) aged lj to 49 years was surveyed in Jamaica in late 1993 for lifestyl e and behaviour risk factors. Demographic characteristics of the sample wer e comparable to the general population. 60% of persons visited a private do ctor the last time that they were ill. Based on self-reporting, 18% of the women and 8% of the men were hypertensive and 4.8% of the women and 3.3% of the men were diabetic. 26% of the men and 8% of the women had never had th eir blood pressure taken. 40% of the women had never had a Papanicolaou sme ar, 28% had never had a bl east examination and 33% said that they were ove rweight compared with 18% of men. Smoking cigarettes and marijuana was more common among men (36%) than women (11%), as were drinking alcohol (79% of men, 41% of women) and heavy alcohol use (30% of men, 9% of women). Injurie s requiring medical attention in the previous five years were reported by 4 0% of the men and 15% of the women. 34% of the men and 12% of the women reg ularly carried a weapon and 18% of the sample had participated in or witnes sed at least one violent act in the previous month. Most oft he people inte rviewed used a contraceptive method; 10% were not sexually active. Signific antly more men than women had two or more sexual partners in the previous y ear (54% vs 17%, p<0.001) or reported ever having a sexually transmitted di sease (29% vs 9%, p<0.001). Younger persons were more sexually active and m ore likely to use condoms during their most recent sexual intercourse. High er socio-economic status and educational level generally had a more positiv e effect on health behaviour. This survey provides viral information releva nt to planning health promotion campaigns and assessing their success.