Micro-scale socioeconomic inequalities and health indicators in a small isolated community of Vis Island, Croatia

Smoljanović, Ankica and Vorko-Jović, Ariana and Kolčić, Ivana and Bernat, Robert and Stojanović, Dražen and Polašek, Ozren (2007) Micro-scale socioeconomic inequalities and health indicators in a small isolated community of Vis Island, Croatia. Croatian Medical Journal, 48 (5). pp. 734-740. ISSN 0353-9504

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Abstract

AIM: To investigate whether socioeconomic inequalities at a micro-scale, through their effect on major health risk factors and other health indicators, contribute to health status in an isolated island population with demonstrated reduced genetic and environmental variability. ----- METHODS: This cross-sectional study was performed in 2003 and 2004 in the adult population of the island of Vis, Croatia. Participants were recruited from the electoral register. A total of 1024 participants were included in the study, which represented a response rate of approximately 70%. The level of education and household socioeconomic status were used as the socioeconomic status indicators. Associations of these indicators with hypertension, obesity, hyperlipidaemia, smoking, diet indicators, and supplementary vitamins and calcium intake were investigated. Data analysis was performed by multivariate methods. ----- RESULTS: Age and gender were most commonly associated with the presence of major health risk factors. Level of education did not show significant association with any of the investigated risk factors, supplements intake, or with dietary habits. Household socioeconomic status was significantly associated only with excessive alcohol intake (logistic regression odds ratio [OR], 1.85; 95% confidence interval [CI], 1.12-3.07, P=0.016), obesity (OR, 1.78; 95% CI, 1.13-2.81 P=0.013), and high-fat diet (multiple linear modeling F=2.75, P=0.042). ----- CONCLUSION: In isolated communities, socioeconomic stratification may be a less important health determinant than in large general populations, making these populations favorable resource for biomedical research into other health risk factors.

Abstract in Croatian

CILJ: Ispitati utječu li fine društveno-ekonomske razlike, djelovanjem na glavne zdravstvene rizične čimbenike, na stanje zdravlja u izoliranoj otočkoj populaciji koja je manje genetički i okolišno raznolika. ----- POSTUPCI: Ovo je presječno istraživanje provedeno 2003. i 2004., na populaciji odraslih ljudi otoka Visa u Hrvatskoj. Ispitanici su odabrani iz popisa birača. U istraživanje je uključeno ukupno 1024 osoba, što je činilo oko 70% ukupne populacije. Kao pokazatelji društveno-ekonomskoga stanja uzeti su stupanj izobrazbe i ekonomski stanje kućanstva. Istražena je povezanost tih parametara s povišenim krvnim tlakom, debljinom, hiperlipidemijom, pušenjem cigareta, pokazateljima prehrane i dodatnim uzimanjem vitamina i kalcija. Prikupljeni podatci analizirani su multivarijatnim statističkim postupcima. ----- REZULTATI: Dob i spol bili su najčešće povezani s glavnim zdrvstvenim rizičnim čimbenicima. Stupanj izobrazbe nije bio povezan s tim rizičnim čimbenicima, ni s uzimanjem rečenih dodataka, niti s prehrambenim navikama. Društveno-ekonomsko stanje kućanstva bilo je značajno povezano samo s prekomjernim uzimanjem alkohola (logistička regresija, omjer izgleda [OR], 1.85; 95% raspon pouzdanosti [CI], 1.12-3.07, P=0.016), debljinom (OR, 1.78; 95% CI, 1.13-2.81 P=0.013) i prevelikim uzimanjem masnoća (multiplo linearno modeliranje F=2.75, P=0.042). ----- ZAKLJUČAK: U izoliranim zajednicama društveno-ekonomske nejednakosti mogle bi manje utjecati na zdravlje nego u većim populacijama, što manje zajednice čini modelom podobnim za biomedicinska istraživanja drugih rizičnih čimbenika.

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