Teresa Haidinger, Michael Sponder, Lena Stütz, Dondue Demir, Alexandra Kaider and Jeanette Strametz-Juranek
Background: The aim of this study was to investigate differences in the awareness of cardiovascular risk factors, preventive action taken and barriers to cardiovascular health between the Turkish minority living in Austria and the indigenous people. Methods: A total of 1800 anonymous questionnaires were handed out to 573 women and 336 men with no immigration background and compared with 257 female and 250 male Turkish migrants in Turkish language living in Austria. Results: Cardiovascular disease was more likely to be identified as the leading cause of death by indigenous Austrians (75%) than by the Turkish participants. Diabetes mellitus II (DM II) was only identified by around 27% of the Austrians and 22% of the Turkish women and 28% of the Turkish men. Albeit Austrians can identify more risk factors and have a lower actual CVD risk, their main barrier to CVD health being the inability to assess their personal risk correctly, while Turkish immigrants show a lack of knowledge of how to access preventive screening. Conclusion: The main barrier for preventive action for the Turkish minority is a low educational and acculturation level, while Austrian women in particular have difficulties in assessing their personal risk correctly.
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