Abstract
Objective
Although Chinese are one of the fastest growing minorities in Canada, there is little information about heart disease prevention behaviour in Chinese immigrants. Our objective was to examine the knowledge and practices of Chinese immigrants regarding heart disease prevention.
Methods
504 randomly selected Chinese adult immigrants participated in a community-based, in-person survey in Vancouver during 2005. The survey included questions on heart disease prevention knowledge and practices.
Results
Although respondents were quite knowledgeable about heart disease risk factors, their behaviours to reduce heart disease risk were generally low. Thirteen percent of respondents consumed five or more servings of fruit/vegetables per day; 37% engaged in regular physical activity; 54% never used tobacco; 81% had received a blood pressure check in the past 2 years; and 54% had received a cholesterol test in the past 5 years. Differences were found in these behaviours by gender, age, English fluency, birth country and duration of residence in North America. The associations are presented between these demographic variables and heart disease prevention behaviours.
Conclusion
Heart disease prevention programs are needed in Chinese immigrant populations, especially aimed at increasing fruit/vegetable consumption and regular physical activity. Efforts are also needed to decrease tobacco use and to increase cholesterol testing.
Key words: Heart diseases, health knowledge, attitudes, practice, Asian Continental Ancestry Group, emigration and immigration
Résumé
Objectif
Bien que les Chinois constituent l’une des minorités dont la croissance est la plus rapide au Canada, on manque d’information sur les habitudes de prévention des maladies coronariennes des immigrants chinois. Nous avons cherché à examiner les connaissances et les pratiques de ces immigrants en matière de prévention des maladies coronariennes.
Méthode
504 immigrants chinois adultes sélectionnés au hasard ont pris part à une enquête locale effectuée en personne à Vancouver en 2005. L’enquête comportait des questions sur les connaissances et les pratiques liées à la prévention des maladies coronariennes.
Résultats
Les répondants étaient très bien renseignés sur les facteurs de risque des maladies coronariennes, mais ils avaient dans l’ensemble peu de comportements visant à réduire ces risques. Treize p. cent consommaient cinq portions ou plus de fruits et légumes par jour; 37% pratiquaient régulièrement une activité physique; 54% ne consommaient jamais de produits du tabac; 81% avaient fait vérifier leur pression artérielle au cours des deux années précédentes; et 54% avaient subi un test de cholestérolémie au cours des cinq années précédentes. Des écarts ont été observés dans ces comportements selon le sexe, l’âge, la maîtrise de l’anglais, le pays de naissance et la durée de résidence en Amérique du Nord. Nous présentons les liens entre ces variables démographiques et les habitudes de prévention des maladies coronariennes.
Conclusion
Des programmes de prévention des maladies coronariennes sont nécessaires dans les populations immigrantes d’origine chinoise, surtout pour ce qui est d’accroître la consommation de fruits et légumes et l’activité physique pratiquée régulièrement. Il faudrait aussi prendre des mesures pour réduire le tabagisme et promouvoir les tests de cholestérolémie.
Mots clés: connaissances, attitudes et pratiques liées à la santé, Groupe d’ascendance asiatique, émigration et immigration
Footnotes
Funding: This work was supported by the US National Cancer Institute (grant number CA113663). Y. Yasui was partially supported by the Canada Research Chair Program.
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