RHP&EO is the electronic journal of the International Union for Health Promotion and Education

Survey On Healthy Lifestyles And Well-Being In Iceland

Aradottir, Anna Bjorg R.N., Project manager Jakobinudottir, Sigriour M.P.H., R.N.

The Health Promotion Project, Ministry of Health Laugavegur 116 - 150 Reykjavfik Iceland

Introduction

In spring 1994 The Health promotion Project in Iceland decided to do a survey on healthy lifestyles and well-being in Iceland. The Health Promotion Project started in November 1993 and has a sub-project of four Healthy Communities that started in May 1994.

Purpose

The main purpose was to evaluate the status regarding health and well-being in Iceland. A survey was done in the beginning of the Icelandic Health Promotion Project and will be repeated in May 1996 for comparison purposes.

Methods

A telephone survey was cat out by the Institute of Sociology at The University of Iceland. A randomized sample was taken from the general public of total 1500 people at age 18 to 75 years. The response rate was 74%.

There was also taken extra randomized sample from each of the Healthy Communities for special attention.

Results

Physical health: 67,7% claim their health is good. People with more education and higher job status score higher.

Psychological health: 71,5% say it is good. People score less with more education and oven worse those who are homework/n/.

Daily smoking: 30,8% smoke daily. Women smoke less than men and higher educated less than others.

Use of alcohol: About 27% use alcohol 2-3 times per month or more and more often with higher job-status.

Choosing healthy food: 56,6% always or often think about choosing healthy food. Women more than men and more with higher education and age.

Regular motion: About 75% motion regularly and strenuously once to twice in week or more often. Men more than women and less with higher age.

Strew: 14,4% feel often stressed sod, 57,2% sometimes. Men less than women, more with higher education and higher job-status.

Use of seat-bolts: 66,9% claim they always use seat-belts but less those living outside the capital city.

Discussion

There seems to be a good trend for living healthy and physical and psychological well-being is rather good. Planners of healthy lifestyles projects must bear in mind that more emphasis must be laid on those with less education and social status.

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