Behavioral risk factors: a comparison of Latinos and non-Latino whites in San Francisco

The purpose of the study was to evaluate differences between Latino and non-Latino White adults in health-related behavioral risk factors. Telephone interviews were conducted with 652 Latinos and 584 non-Latino Whites in San Francisco selected by random-digit dialing. Latino men and women, compared...

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Bibliographic Details
Published in:American journal of public health (1971) 1994-06, Vol.84 (6), p.971-976
Main Authors: Perez-Stable, E J, Marin, G, Marin, B V
Format: Article
Language:English
Subjects:
Adolescent
Adult
Aged
Alcohol Drinking - ethnology
Behavior
Ethnicity
Female
Health Behavior - ethnology
Health behaviour
Health care
Health promotion
Hispanic Americans
Hispanic Americans - statistics & numerical data
Humans
Latin American people
Life Style - ethnology
Male
Medical screening
Middle Aged
Public health
Risk factors
San Francisco
Smoking - ethnology
Social research
Wellness programs
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Summary:The purpose of the study was to evaluate differences between Latino and non-Latino White adults in health-related behavioral risk factors. Telephone interviews were conducted with 652 Latinos and 584 non-Latino Whites in San Francisco selected by random-digit dialing. Latino men and women, compared with their non-Latino White counterparts, were less likely to have consumed any alcoholic beverage in the previous month (59% and 29% vs 77% and 75%, respectively), consumed fewer drinks per week (6.6 and 3.0 vs 8.9 and 5.1, respectively), and were more likely to be sedentary (40% and 46% vs 17% and 23%). Latina women were less likely than non-Latina Whites to smoke cigarettes (8% vs 29%), to have ever had a Pap smear (76% vs 93%), and to have ever had a clinical breast examination (81% vs 96%). Multivariate analyses adjusting for sex, age, education, and employment confirmed univariate findings. Behavioral risk factor profiles by ethnicity help emphasize priorities of health promotion programs for a community. Latino needs include maintenance of limited consumption of alcohol and cigarettes, promotion of regular physical activity, and increasing use of low-cost cervical and breast cancer screening tests.
ISSN:0090-0036
1541-0048
DOI:10.2105/AJPH.84.6.971