Preventive Health Education Needs: A Survey of Adults in Elkland Borough, Tioga County, Pennsylvania, 1976. Rural Health Staff Papers - Paper Number 10.

From a population of 117 adult residents of Elkland Borough formerly interviewed in August 1974, 72 cases were chosen. Of these, 57 persons (43 women and 14 men) were reinterviewed in March 1976 as to their behaviors, beliefs, and attitudes related to preventing cancer and coronary heart disease. The age and sex of those interviewed were compared to those of the actual population as reported in the 1970 population census. The age ratio of the sample was found to be very similar to that of the actual population. Each respondent was asked 117 questions pertaining to: the seriousness and susceptibility of the disease, early detection, their knowledge about the disease, high blood pressure, dietary and weight control practices, regular health maintenance practices, and medical services. Each person rated five selected diseases regarding their seriousness and susceptibility. Findings included: 76% regarded cancer and 81% regarded heart disease as serious enough to require changes in their present life; 25% felt they were likely to have heart disease; 36% believed they were likely to have cancer; 21% of those interviewed in 1976 could name 1 or none of the 7 cancer signs as compared to 29% in 1974; 54% of the women and 14% of the men reported never or occasionally observing dietary rules; and 41 persons named exercise and/or dieting as preventive health measures that they practiced. (NQ)