Health behaviors about infectious disease among adult residents in Tibet Autonomous Region

Objective To examine current situation of health practices related to infectious disease prevention among adult residents in Tibet Autonomous Region,and to provide evidences for developing strategies and health education programs by local government.Methods With multistage sampling,we conducted a face-to-face anonymous questionnaire survey among urban and rural residents aged 18 years or older in Lhasa municipality and 5 other prefectures in Tibet in 2011.Results Among the participants,the self-reported ratios of health practice were 8.8%(501/5648)for taking regular physical exercise,46.8%(2671/5703)for washing hands before meals or after toilet use,43.0%(2448/5690)for washing hands when back to home,38.3%(2166/5648)for wearing a mask in outdoor environment,41.0%(2309/5641)for only taking cooked seafood,18.2%(1025/5627)for processing cooked and uncooked food separately,23.2%(1327/5697)for using specific chopsticks when taking raw meat,26.6%(1520/5705)for paying attention to hygienic conditions when eating out,39.7%(2265/5699)and 28.3%(1610/5684)for having vaccination after being injured by a dog or a cat,and 44.2%(2498/5640)for not eating uncooked beef,mutton,or viscera.The ratio of self-reported health behaviors related to infectious disease prevention was correlated inversely with the age of the residents(P<0.05),with a lower ratio among the older residents aged ≥60 years,and positively with education level of the residents,with a lower ratio among the residents with equal or under elementary school education(P<0.05).Conclusion The prevalence of health behavior related to infectious disease prevention is relatively low among adult residents in Tibet and the elderly and the residents with lower education are the key populations for health education.