Health Status and Behaviors among Adults residing in Rural Dominican Republic

INTRODUCTION: The health status and behaviors of adults residing in rural areas of the Dominican Republic have been largely overlooked. Monitoring detailed community health in rural areas is critical to developing tailored health education, public and medical intervention programs to improve overall community health. We examined the general health status, conditions, and behaviors of adults in rural Dominican villages.

METHODS: Data were collected as an anonymous heath questionnaire in April 2009 from a convenience sample of adult participants receiving care through a medical mission in four rural villages in the Dominican Republic. Data on age, gender, height, weight, general health status, conditions (diabetes, hypertension, cholesterol, cardiovascular disease & asthma) and health behaviors (smoking, drinking, & reproduction) were collected and analyzed.

RESULTS: Among the 117 participants, there were 76 (63%) women and the sample mean age of the participants was 35.2± 16.1 years. Overall, 69.2% of the participants rated their general health as “Fair/Poor”; with regards to health conditions, 15.4% reported diabetes, 36.8% hypertension, 10.6% hypercholesterolemia, 14.5% asthma, and 6.9% history of heart attack while 33.6% were current smokers and 43.6% allowed smoking in their homes. When asked about their greatest health concerns, 42.7% reported nutrition and access to medical care; and 40.0% thought two children per household was appropriate, and 46.2% reported condoms as their preferred method of contraception.

CONCLUSION: Public health interventions targeting identified health measures and behaviors as well as efforts curbing tobacco exposure via education, clinic work and increasing knowledge of available regional health resources is paramount.