Clustering of risk factors for non communicable diseases in adults from Florianopolis, SC

Abstract

Objective: To investigate clustering patterns of health risk behaviors for non communicable diseases and its associated factors.

Methods: a Random telephone survey with 1,996 adults from Florianopolis, SC, was conducted in 2005. Tobacco use, high alcoholic intake episodes, fruit consumption and physical inactivity were investigated. Clustering was examined by the ratio between observed and expected prevalence of each of the 16 possible combinations. These clustered risk factors comprised the main outcome and binomial and multinomial logistic regression was conducted to examine socio-demographic correlates.

Results: 43% of men and 36.6% of women clustered at least two health risk factors. Three (19.2%; CI 95% 16.7 - 21.7) and five (9.8%; CI 95% 8.0 - 11.6) specific combinations exceed the expected prevalence, respectively, in men and women. Women with low schooling level and older were more likely to cluster health risk behaviors.

Conclusion: although men showed higher prevalence of single health risk behavior and its combinations, women presented more specific combinations that clustered above the expected. Knowledge on the clustering pattern of these health risk behaviors may guide the design of more effective health promotion initiatives.