Prevalence of anaemia in the Curacao health study: its relationship with socio-economic status and self-reported health status - abstract

The main goal of the Curacao Health Study (CHS), which is cross-sectional in design, is to give insight into the determinants of health in the Curacao population. Anaemia often occurs as a secondary manifestation of underlying conditions. In addition, socio-economic factors affect health-status and, anaemia can also be related to these variables. Prevalence of anaemia for the population in the CHS 15.0 percent. Of the males 10.5 percent were anaemic, while 18.1 percent of the females were anaemic. Microcytic/hypochromic anaemia accounted for 28.8 percent of the anaemias, while normochromic anaemias accounted for 69.2 percent and macrocytic anaemias for 2.0 percent of all anaemias. Prevalence of iron deficiency anaemia (IDA) was 7.2 percent and 0.5 percent in the female and male populations, respectively. An inverse relationship was noted between socio-economic status and anaemia. A relationship was also evident between malignant neoplastic conditions, menstrual and severe kidney disorders and anaemia (AU)

Prevalence of lipid risk factors for atherosclerosis in the Curacao Health Study: interactions with demographic and socio-economic variables - asbtract

The Curacao Health Study is a cross-sectional population-based study designed to give insight into the determinants of health on Curacao. This study presents prevalence data for lipid risk factors and interactions with demographic and socio-economic variables. Serum was collected from 1001 (44.5 percent) respondents included in the CHS study. These respondents were representative for all respondents. Cholesterol, HDL-cholesterol and triglycerides were measured and LDL-cholesterol was calculated. Cholesterol levels increased significantly in women > 50 years of age, as did LDL-cholesterol levels. HDL-cholesterol was higher in women than in men (52 ñ 13 mg/dl vs 48 ñ 15 mg/dl). Mean total and LDL-cholesterol levels were comparable to Western European and Northern American populations. Multiple regression indicated that race (Black vs non-Black) did not contribute to cholesterol levels, whereas education, living in the East District, age, and gender did. These associations need further study before definitive conclusions can be drawn. We conclude that lipid risk factors are as prevalent on Curacao as in most Western societies (AU)

Body mass index distribution in the Curacao health study: differences in socio-economic factors - abstract

The objective of this paper was to determine the prevalence of underweight, normal weight and over weight based on the body mass index (BMI) for sex and age groups, as well as for socio-economic factors. This is important since obesity is a risk factor for prevalent diseases (diabetes mellitus, in Curacao. From a random sample of 3000 persons > 18 years of age in Curacao, weight and length were measured in 2248 (75 percent) individuals. Using the U.S. National Center for Health Statistics ((NCHS) cut-off values of BMI for over-weight (male = 27.8; female = 27.3) we found a markedly higher prevalence of overweight in both sexes when comparing the data to international findings, but more so in females. Fifty per cent of women > 25 years of age are overweight, peaking at 62.2 percent in the 45 to 64-year of age gruop. In females socio-economic status (SES) was inversely related to mean BMI, lowest SES groups having the highest mean BMI. Approximately one-third of the male population greater than and equal to 18 years of age were overweight. Further, it was found that length was proportionately related to SES for both sexes (AU)

Socio-economic health differences in Curacao: results from the Curacao Health Study - abstract

In Curacao, individuals from the lower socio-economic strata are relatively disadvantaged with regard to both their physical and their mental health. They also have a relatively poorer perceived health. The objective of the current study was to investigate whether gender and age-specific socio-economic health differences can be found in Curacao. In order to do this, analyses were performed on data from 2248 of a random sample of 3000 persons from the Curacao Health Study. Averaged over all age groups, a socio-economic gradient was found in males with respect to physical functioning and in females with respect to the number of chronic conditions. Regarding mental health and perceived general health, socio-economic differences were found in both males and females. To determine whether these socio-economice differences in physical health were more prominent. In mental health the differences appeared in younger age groups, for males as well as females. In the latter the differences are more prolonged. The proportion of persons in "average" or "poor' health differed by socio-economic status in early old age in males and in early middle age in females. In short-term complaints, no socio-economic differences were found, except for females in the middle age group (45 - 54 years). Socio-economic health differences exist in Curacao. These differences are not apparent for all health indicators, they vary by gender and age group. In efforts to reduce socio-economic inequalities in adult health these factors have to be taken into account and, depending on the health indicator of interest, policy must be formulated geared towards specific groups (AU)

A health profile of Curacao: results from the Curacao health study - abstract

Based on the outcomes of the Curacao Health Study, a health profile of the adult non-institutionalized population of Curacao was drawn. A randomly drawn sample of 2248 participants has been surveyed in face-to-face interviews. Data were collected on the prevalence of chronic disorders and functional limitations, and on the subjects' self-perceived health. Of the total sample 58.8 percent reported to be suffering from one or more chronic disorders. The most prevalent chronic conditions are hypertension (14.5 percent), arthrosis and arthritis (11.1 percent), dizziness (10.85 percent), chronic back problems (10.1 percent) and psychological problems (9.6 percent). As regards functional limitations, 4.7 percent of the total sample have very serious visual disabilities and 1.4 percent are (practically) deaf; the prevalence of limitations in activities of daily living can be estimated at 0.3 to 2.8 percent, depending on the kind of activities that are taken as a criterion. A general conclusion is that women, the elderly and individuals from the lower socio-economic strata (SES) are relatively disadvantaged as regards health. The disadvantage for women and individuals from the lower SES applies to both their physical and their mental health. Ageing is soley related to a worsening of the physical health status. The subjective health perceptions of the participants are in accordance with their more objective health status; women, individuals from the lower SES and the elderly have a relatively poorer perceived health. The particular value of these profiles lies in their usefulness for the establishment of priority areas in health policy, by identifying relatively disadvantaged groups who need specific attention (AU)

The Curacao health study: cross-cultural use of a health survey; results from the pilot study - abstract

A health survey offers a unique opportunity to explore the health-related needs of a population by collecting complete, comprehensive and integrated information on health, health-related behaviour and sociodemographic factors. Preparatory to a large-scale health survey on Curacao, a pilot study was carried out. The instruments used include measures of health status, lifestyle, use of conventional and traditional medicine, health-related attitudes and knowledge, as well as personal characteristics and characteristics of social relations. For this pilot study, the questionnaire was translated into Dutch and Papiamento. For the main study, English and Spanish versions will also be available. The questionnaire has been tested in face-to-face interviews with 134 individuals aged 18-90 years, randomly selected from the Registry Office. The willingness of the population to participate in the survey was remarkably high. The interview protocol has been evaluated, and the psychometric properties of the instruments have been determined. The experiences with the interview protocol are generally positive, and the psychometric analyses show that most instruments yield valid and reliable information. The overall conclusion is that, when adapting the survey design to the specific conditions of a multilingual community with a large variation in socio-economic levels, a health survey in Curacao is feasible and that a useful and relevant instrument is available (AU)

Socio-economic health differences in Curacao: results from the pilot of the Curacao health study - abstract

The objective of the current study is to investigate whether the data collected in the pilot of the Curacao Health Study could be used to determine possible socio-economic health differences in Curacao. In order to do this, secondary analyses were performed on data from a sample of 134 persons. In males there appeared to be a difference between higher versus lower educated groups with respect to the total number of chronic complaints and perceived general health. In addition, males without access to a car reported a poorer general health compared to the group that does have access to a car. In females, these differences were not significant. However, females reported on the average more chronic diseases, more short-term complaints, worse physical functioning and a poorer general health compared to males. Because of the small sample size no definite statements on socio-economic health differences in Curacao can be made, although the type of data collected proved not only useful but necessary to conduct further investigation in this matter (AU)