Health risk behaviors and health perceptions in the Peruvian Amazon.

• DOI: 10.4269/ajtmh.2001.65.252
• Publication Date: 2017-05-10T16:31:18Z
• Authors: H Nawaz; M A Rahman; D Graham; D L Katz; J F Jekel
• Keywords: Adult; Complementary Therapies; Male; Rural Population; Adolescent; Alcohol Drinking; Health Behavior; Health Services Accessibility; Interviews as Topic; 03 medical and health sciences; 0302 clinical medicine; Peru; Humans; Sanitation; Health Education; Aged; Aged, 80 and over; Indians, South American; 1. No poverty; Middle Aged; 15. Life on land; Malaria; 3. Good health; Educational Status; Female

Behavioral health risk factor and belief data for the indigenous population of Peruvian Amazon are unavailable. Therefore, we conducted structured interviews adults living in 5 towns remote region Peru. Respondents (n = 179) were 67% women with a mean age 35.4 years. The average household size was 6.7 people. A majority (72%) unable to see doctor when needed because lack money distance. Only 6% reported excellent health, nearly half (49%) fair health. Forty-eight percent drank alcohol 73% smoked. 34% thought mosquitoes cause malaria, but 98% using mosquito nets. In conclusion, our findings indicate has limited access basic care. Although most those surveyed use netting, few know that transmit malaria. Tobacco major behavioral factors.