Int. J. Environ. Res. Public Health 2009, 6(10), 2712-2724; doi:10.3390/ijerph6102712
Article

Factors Affecting Use of Preventive Tests for Cardiovascular Risk among Greeks

Evelina Pappa 1,* email, Nick Kontodimopoulos 1 email, Angelos A. Papadopoulos 1,2 email, Georgia Pallikarona 3 , Dimitris Niakas 1 email and Yannis Tountas 1,3 email
1 Hellenic Open University, Faculty of Social Sciences, Bouboulinas 57, Patras, 26222, Greece 2 \"ATTIKON\" University Hospital, 1 Rimini Street, Athens, 12462, Greece 3 Centre for Health Services Research, Department of Hygiene and Epidemiology, Medical School, Athens University, 25 Alexandroupoleos Street, Athens, 11527, Greece
* Author to whom correspondence should be addressed.
Received: 26 August 2009 / Accepted: 19 October 2009 / Published: 23 October 2009
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Health Behavior and Public Health)
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Abstract: Data from a Greek national representative sample was used to investigate socio-demographic, self-perceived health, and health risk factors that determine the use of cardiovascular preventive tests (blood pressure, cholesterol and blood glucose). Chi-square and logistic regression analyses were used (p < 0.05). Older age, marriage, regular family doctor and chronic diseases increased the likelihood of receiving preventive tests, whereas low education and alcohol consumption reduced the likelihood of having these tests. The effect of obesity varied. Interventions which improve the knowledge of the poorly educated and empower the preventive role of the physicians may redress the inequalities and improve the effectiveness of preventive services utilization.
Keywords: preventive tests; cardiovascular disease; socio-demographic factors; self-perceived health; health risks; Greece

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MDPI and ACS Style

Pappa, E.; Kontodimopoulos, N.; Papadopoulos, A.A.; Pallikarona, G.; Niakas, D.; Tountas, Y. Factors Affecting Use of Preventive Tests for Cardiovascular Risk among Greeks. Int. J. Environ. Res. Public Health 2009, 6, 2712-2724.

AMA Style

Pappa E, Kontodimopoulos N, Papadopoulos AA, Pallikarona G, Niakas D, Tountas Y. Factors Affecting Use of Preventive Tests for Cardiovascular Risk among Greeks. International Journal of Environmental Research and Public Health. 2009; 6(10):2712-2724.

Chicago/Turabian Style

Pappa, Evelina; Kontodimopoulos, Nick; Papadopoulos, Angelos A.; Pallikarona, Georgia; Niakas, Dimitris; Tountas, Yannis. 2009. "Factors Affecting Use of Preventive Tests for Cardiovascular Risk among Greeks." Int. J. Environ. Res. Public Health 6, no. 10: 2712-2724.

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