The 131st Annual Meeting (November 15-19, 2003) of APHA

Abstract #57728

Nuriye Nalan Sahin-Hodoglugil, MD¹, Akile Gursoy, PhD², Johannes Sommerfeld, PhD³, and Sabahat Tezcan, MD, PhD¹. (1) Hacettepe University, Department of Public Health, Ankara, Turkey, +90-312-3243975, hodoglugiln@yahoo.com, (2) Yeditepe University, Department of Social Anthropology, Istanbul, Turkey, (3) World Health Organization, Special Programme for Research and Training in Tropical Diseases, Geneva, Switzerland

Cardiovascular disease (CVD) risk factors, such as smoking, obesity and high blood cholesterol levels are highly prevalent in Turkey. This study was part of an ongoing community based intervention project for the prevention of CVD risk factors in a semi-urban settlement of Ankara. The objectives were to provide a socio-cultural background to “heart health” and to understand the attitudes, lifestyles and perceptions related to some modifiable CVD risk factors in order to suggest culturally sensitive and appropriate interventions. Data was collected through participant observation, group interviews (at homes, schools, work places, political and religious organizations), and in-depth interviews with key informants. Results: “Stress” was indicated as the major reason for CVD. While women’s major stressors were problems within the family, men mainly suffered from unemployment and poverty. Smoking was identified as the major stress-management tool among men, exemplified in the words of a men to his wife: “Ask me to stop eating bread, and I will, but don’t ask me to quit smoking”. Smoking was also a significant promoter of the masculine role, and a man “had to smoke”, while women picked up smoking as a sign of wealth and prestige. “Having some flesh”, i.e. being slightly overweight was regarded as a sign of beauty. Overall, the lay perceptions and the socio-cultural environment leading to life styles in this community pose serious challenges to traditional interventions within the medical model. The results call for the implementation of innovative, culture, time and gender specific interventions incorporating lay perceptions.

Learning Objectives:

At the conclusion of the session, the participant in this session will be able to:
• Identify the ways in which socio-cultural environment can lead to different life styles and risk perceptions about cardiovascular diseases (CVD)
• Recognize the diversity of attitudes, perceptions and beliefs about CVD risk factors in a semi-urban community in Turkey
• Discuss challenges to community based health education and promotion programs aiming at “life style change” in the area of CVD

Keywords: Chronic (CVD), Community-Based Health Promotion

Presenting author's disclosure statement:
I do not have any significant financial interest/arrangement or affiliation with any organization/institution whose products or services are being discussed in this session.