Health knowledge and behaviour change: a comparison of Edinburgh and north Glasgow

Abstract

DATA from surveys relating to coronary heart disease have been used to investigate differences between Edinburgh and north Glasgow in levels of health knowledge and changing behaviour, and the links between them. Little difference was found between the conurbations when people were asked about par ticular ways of reducing their risk of a heart attack, but further analysis suggests that people in Edin burgh are more likely to have changed their behav iour in accordance with their knowledge of the health benefits. Attitudes to healthy behaviour, rather than health knowledge, appear to be associ ated with risk factor levels. Responses varied consid erably according to socio-economic status and the social differences between the conurbation were found partly to explain the differences in levels of health knowledge and behaviour change.