<p>The overall aim was to study factors that affect behaviour related to CVD (cardiovascular diseases). Study I tested whether gender, education and so-cioeconomic status correlated to knowledge about risk factors, and Study II studied knowledge and risk behaviour from a national perspective (Sweden versus Poland). Furthermore, Study III examined whether obese people dif-fered from people of normal weight regarding knowledge about risk factors, and Study IV examined whether risk behaviour is affected by personal ex-perience of illness and family history of CVD. </p><p>The studies are population-based with cross-sectional design. Data were obtained by questionnaires and by screening results of risk factors related to CVD. The studies were carried out among 50-year old men and women in Västmanland, Sweden (n=1011) and in Wroclaw, Poland (n=1043).</p><p>The results show that women are more knowledgeable than men about the risk factors for CVD, and that low education is associated with insufficient knowledge about CVD (Study I). The discrepancy between knowledge and behaviour was greater among the Poles than it was among the Swedes (Study II). Obese individuals did not differ significantly from individuals with a normal weight regarding knowledge of cardiovascular risk factors when education was controlled for (Study III). Individuals with a personal experience of illness may be more inclined to change smoking behaviour than the average person (Study IV).</p><p>In conclusion, knowledge about risk factors for CVD varies with education, gender and, to a certain degree, nationality. However, knowledge does not only consist of the conditions of behaviour change. The results in the thesis substantiate theories suggesting that change in risk behaviour is a process over time. Predictors of risk behaviours on the individual level as well as national level are of importance, and needs to be considered in the every day practice of health care professionals.</p>

The overall aim was to study factors that affect behaviour related to CVD (cardiovascular diseases). Study I tested whether gender, education and so-cioeconomic status correlated to knowledge about risk factors, and Study II studied knowledge and risk behaviour from a national perspective (Sweden versus Poland). Furthermore, Study III examined whether obese people dif-fered from people of normal weight regarding knowledge about risk factors, and Study IV examined whether risk behaviour is affected by personal ex-perience of illness and family history of CVD. The studies are population-based with cross-sectional design. Data were obtained by questionnaires and by screening results of risk factors related to CVD. The studies were carried out among 50-year old men and women in Västmanland, Sweden (n=1011) and in Wroclaw, Poland (n=1043). The results show that women are more knowledgeable than men about the risk factors for CVD, and that low education is associated with insufficient knowledge about CVD (Study I). The discrepancy between knowledge and behaviour was greater among the Poles than it was among the Swedes (Study II). Obese individuals did not differ significantly from individuals with a normal weight regarding knowledge of cardiovascular risk factors when education was controlled for (Study III). Individuals with a personal experience of illness may be more inclined to change smoking behaviour than the average person (Study IV). In conclusion, knowledge about risk factors for CVD varies with education, gender and, to a certain degree, nationality. However, knowledge does not only consist of the conditions of behaviour change. The results in the thesis substantiate theories suggesting that change in risk behaviour is a process over time. Predictors of risk behaviours on the individual level as well as national level are of importance, and needs to be considered in the every day practice of health care professionals.

Made available in DSpace on 2011-05-04T12:36:25Z (GMT). No. of bitstreams: 0 Previous issue date: 2010 / A brucelose humana é endemica e problema de saúde pública em África, inclusive Angola e sua Provícia do Namibe. O propósito deste estudo foi observar os níveis de conhecimento de factores de risco e de profilaxia na transmissão da brucelose nos profissionais da pecuária da Província do Namibe, comparando-se os criadores de gado com os trabalhadores de talhos, salas municipais de abate e matadouro. As características gerais do Namibe e, em especial, os ambientes em que trabalham os profissionais da pecuária são descritas. A metodologia do estudo é a de um estudo seccional, realizado em Novembro de 2009, com aplicação de questionário sobre aspectos sócio-demográficos, conhecimento de factores de risco, de profilaxia da brucelose humana e de vigilância sanitária. Todos os trabalhadores (N=40) e uma amostra aleatória dos criadores (n=130) foram entrevistados. O estudo se limitou aos profissionais da pecuária controlados pelo Departamento Provincial da Pecuária do Namibe. Os profissionais da pecuária são predominantemente do sexo masculino (93,7 por cento) e quase 70 por cento têm 40 anos ou mais. Os criadores são na sua maioria da etnia dos Mucubais e dos Nhaneca, e naturais do Namibe, enquanto que metade dos trabalhadores são da província vizinha, Huila. Declararam não ter ouvido falar de brucelose 60,8 por cento dos profissionais. Todas as questões sobre conhecimento de factores de risco foram respondidas de forma positiva por menos da metade dos profissionais. Os criadores demonstraram maior conhecimento do que os trabalhadores, quando se consideram as respostas a cada questão. Quanto à profilaxia não há diferenças relevantes entre trabalhadores e criadores, que não se protegem de forma adequada contra o risco de transmissão da brucelose. Não há associação entre conhecimento e profilaxia. Portanto, os níveis de conhecimento e de profilaxia são insuficientes e precisam ser transformados por meio de educação adequada. Também é necessário implantar sistema de vigilância sanitária efetivo e políticas públicas que aumentem os recursos para o controle das zoonoses. / Human brucellosis is endemic, and public health problem in Africa, including Angola and it province of Namibe. The purpose of this study was to observe the levels of knowledge of risk factors and prevention in the occupational transmission of brucellosis in livestock in the Province of Namibe, comparing the farmers with workers in slaughterhouses, municipal halls of killing and slaughter. General characteristics of Namibe and in particular the environments in which professionals working livestock were described. The methodology of the study is cross-sectional survey, conducted in November 2009, with application of a questionnaire on sociodemographics, knowledge of risk factors, prophylaxis of brucellosis and health surveillance. All workers (N = 40) and a random sample of farmers (n = 130) were interviewed. The study was confined to the livestock professionals controlled by the provincial Department of Livestock Namibe. Professionals of livestock are predominantly male (93.7%) and almost 70% have 40 years or more. The creators are mostly of ethnics groups of Mucubal and Nhaneca, naturals of Namibe, whereas half of the workers are from neighboring province, Huila. Said they had not heard of brucellosis 60.8% of professionals. All questions about knowledge of risk factors were answered positively by less than half of the professionals. The creators have demonstrated greater knowledge than workers, when considering the responses to each question. For prophylaxis there are no significant differences between workers and farmers; both do not adequately protect against the risk of transmission of brucellosis. There are no statistical association between knowledge and prophylaxis. Thus, the levels of knowledge and prevention are insufficient and must be processed through proper education. It is also necessary to implement effective health monitoring system and public policies that increase resources for the control of zoonoses.