Health behaviours

Risk alcohol drinking

In 2008, just over one-third of adults (33.8 per cent) engaged in any risk drinking behaviour. Generally, any risk drinking behaviour decreased with age. A significantly higher proportion of males (38.9 per cent) than females (29.0 per cent) engaged in any risk drinking behaviour. A significantly lower proportion of adults in the fifth or most disadvantaged quintile (29.1 per cent) engaged in any risk drinking behaviour, compared with the overall adult population. A significantly higher proportion of adults in rural health areas (38.2 per cent) than urban health areas (32.0 per cent) engaged in any risk drinking behaviour. A significantly higher proportion of adults in the Northern Sydney & Central Coast (38.2 per cent), Hunter & New England (38.0 per cent), and Greater Southern (40.2 per cent) Area Health Services, and a significantly lower proportion of adults in the Sydney South West Area Health Service (25.4 per cent), engaged in any risk drinking behaviour, compared with the overall adult population.

Since 1997, there has been a significant decrease in the proportion of adults reporting any risk drinking behaviour (42.3 per cent to 33.8 per cent). The decrease has been significant in males and females, all age groups except 16-24 years, all quintiles of socioeconomic disadvantage, and urban and rural health areas.

Since 2007, there has been no significant change in the proportion of adults reporting any risk drinking behaviour.

High risk alcohol drinking

In 2008, 1 in 10 adults (10.0 per cent) engaged in high risk drinking behaviour. Generally, high risk drinking behaviour decreased with age. A significantly higher proportion of males (13.4 per cent) than females (6.7 per cent) engaged in high risk drinking behaviour. A significantly lower proportion of adults in the fifth or most disadvantaged quintile (6.6 per cent) engaged in high risk drinking behaviour, compared with the overall adult population. There was no significant difference between rural and urban health areas. A significantly lower proportion of adults in the Sydney South West Area Health Service (7.1 per cent) engaged in high risk drinking behaviour, compared with the overall adult population.

Since 2002, there has been a significant decrease in the proportion of adults reporting high risk drinking behaviour (14.7 per cent to 10.0 per cent). The decrease has been significant in males and females, the 16-24 year and 25-34 year age groups, the second and fourth and fifth quintiles of socioeconomic disadvantage, and urban and rural health areas.

Since 2007, there has been no significant change in the proportion of adults reporting high risk drinking behaviour.

Influenza immunisation

In 2008, just under three-quarters of adults aged 65 years and over (71.6 per cent) had been vaccinated against influenza in the last 12 months. Generally, vaccination against influenza increased with age. There was no significant difference between males and females, among quintiles of socioeconomic disadvantage, or between urban and rural health areas; however, a significantly higher proportion of adults in the Hunter & New England Area Health Service (77.4 per cent) had been vaccinated against influenza in the last 12 months, compared with the overall adult population aged 65 years and over.

Since 1997, there has been a significant increase in the proportion of adults aged 65 years and over who had been vaccinated against influenza in the last 12 months (57.1 per cent to 71.6 per cent). The increase has been significant in males and females, all age groups, all quintiles of socioeconomic disadvantage, and urban and rural health areas.

Since 2007, there has been no significant change in the proportion of adults aged 65 years and over who had been vaccinated against influenza in the last 12 months.

Pneumococcal immunisation

In 2008, just under 6 in 10 adults aged 65 years and over (58.8 per cent) had been vaccinated against pneumococcal disease in the last 5 years. Generally, vaccination against pneumococcal disease increased with age. A significantly lower proportion of males (55.1 per cent) than females (61.8 per cent) had been vaccinated against pneumococcal disease in the last 5 years. A significantly higher proportion of adults in the fourth or second most disadvantaged quintile (64.6 per cent) had been vaccinated against pneumococcal disease in the last 5 years, compared with the overall adult population aged 65 years and over. A significantly higher proportion of adults in rural health areas (63.4 per cent) than urban health areas (56.0 per cent) had been vaccinated against pneumococcal disease in the last 5 years. A significantly higher proportion of adults in the Hunter & New England (66.8 per cent) and North Coast (64.7 per cent) Area Health Services had been vaccinated against pneumococcal disease in the last 5 years, compared with the overall adult population aged 65 years and over.

Since 2002, there has been a significant increase in the proportion of adults aged 65 years and over who had been vaccinated against pneumococcal disease in the last 5 years (38.6 per cent to 58.8 per cent). The increase has been significant in males and females, all age groups, all quintiles of socioeconomic disadvantage, and urban and rural health areas.

Since 2007, there has been no significant change in the proportion of adults aged 65 years and over who had been vaccinated against pneumococcal disease in the last 5 years.

Injury prevention (smoke alarms)

In 2008, just over 9 in 10 adults (93.6 per cent) had a smoke alarm in the home. A significantly higher proportion of adults aged 35-44 years (95.4 per cent) and 65 years and over (95.0 per cent) had a smoke alarm in the home, compared with the overall adult population. There was no significant difference by socioeconomic status. A significantly higher proportion of adults in rural health areas (95.6 per cent) than urban health areas (92.8 per cent) had a smoke alarm in the home. A significantly higher proportion of adults in the Hunter & New England (96.0 per cent) and Greater Southern (96.3 per cent) Area Health Services had a smoke alarm in the home, compared with the overall adult population.

Since 1997, there has been a significant increase in the proportion of adults who had a smoke alarm in the home (58.2 per cent to 93.6 per cent). The increase has been significant in all age groups, all quintiles of socioeconomic disadvantage, and urban and rural health areas.

Since 2007, there has been no significant change in the proportion of adults who had a smoke alarm in the home; however, there has been a significant increase in rural health areas.

Adequate fruit intake

In 2008, just over one-half (56.6 per cent) of the overall adult population consumed the recommended minimum of 2 serves of fruit a day. A significantly lower proportion of adults aged 35-44 years (49.3 per cent), and a significantly higher proportion of adults aged 65 years and over (66.2 per cent), consumed the recommended minimum of 2 serves of fruit a day. A significantly lower proportion of males (52.0 per cent) than females (60.9 per cent) consumed the recommended minimum of 2 serves of fruit a day. There was no significant difference by socioeconomic status. There was no significant difference between rural and urban health areas. A significantly higher proportion of adults in the South Eastern Sydney & Illawarra Area Health Service (61.4 per cent), and a significantly lower proportion of adults in the Greater Western Area Health Service (51.1 per cent), consumed the recommended minimum of 2 serves of fruit a day, compared with the overall adult population.

Since 1997, there has been a significant increase in the proportion of adults who consumed the recommended minimum of 2 serves of fruit a day (46.1 per cent to 56.6 per cent). The increase has been significant in males and females, all age groups, all quintiles of socioeconomic disadvantage, and urban and rural health areas.

Since 2007, there has been a significant increase in the proportion of adults who consumed the recommended minimum of 2 serves of fruit a day (54.4 per cent to 56.6 per cent). The increase has been significant in males, and the second quintile of disadvantage.

Adequate vegetable intake

In 2008, just over 1 in 10 adults (10.2 per cent) consumed the recommended minimum of 5 serves of vegetables a day. A significantly higher proportion of adults aged 55-64 years (13.0 per cent) and 65 years and over years (13.7 per cent) consumed the recommended minimum of 5 serves of vegetables a day. A significantly lower proportion of males (7.2 per cent) than females (13.0 per cent) consumed the recommended minimum of 5 serves of vegetables a day. A significantly lower proportion of adults in the fifth or most disadvantaged quintile (7.9 per cent) consumed the recommended minimum of 5 serves of vegetables a day, compared with the overall adult population. A significantly higher proportion of adults in rural health areas (12.3 per cent) than urban health areas (9.3 per cent) consumed the recommended minimum of 5 serves of vegetables a day. A significantly higher proportion of adults in the North Coast Area Health Service (14.1 per cent), and a significantly lower proportion of adults in the Sydney West Area Health Service (7.6 per cent), consumed the recommended minimum of 5 serves of vegetables a day, compared with the overall adult population.

Since 1997, there has been a significant increase in the proportion of adults who consumed the recommended minimum of 5 serves of vegetables a day (8.9 per cent to 10.2 per cent). The increase has been significant in females, persons aged 65 years and over, the first and fourth quintiles of socioeconomic disadvantage, and rural health areas.

Since 2007, there has been no significant change in the proportion of adults who consumed the recommended minimum of 5 serves of vegetables a day.

In order to measure whether adults are increasing their vegetable intake, the Survey also reports those who are consuming 3 or more servings of vegetables a day. In 2008, just over 4 in 10 adults (42.6 per cent) consumed 3 or more serves of vegetables a day. Generally, the proportion of adults who consumed 3 or more servings of vegetables a day increased with age and decreased with socioeconomic disadvantage. A significantly lower proportion of males (34.1 per cent) than females (50.6 per cent) consumed 3 or more serves of vegetables a day. A significantly higher proportion of adults in rural health areas (46.9 per cent) than urban health areas (40.8 per cent) consumed 3 or more serves of vegetables a day. A significantly higher proportion of adults in the Hunter & New England (47.9 per cent) and Greater Southern (48.8 per cent) Area Health Services, and a significantly lower proportion of adults in the Sydney South West (35.1 per cent) and Sydney West (35.8 per cent) Area Health Services, consumed 3 or more serves of vegetables a day, compared with the overall adult population.

Since 1997, there has been a significant increase in the proportion of adults who consumed 3 or more serves of vegetables a day (34.0 per cent to 42.6 per cent). The increase has been significant in males and females, all age groups except 45-54 years, all quintiles of socioeconomic disadvantage, and urban and rural health areas.

Since 2007, there has been a significant increase in the proportion of adults who consumed 3 or more serves of vegetables a day (40.3 per cent to 42.6 per cent). The increase has been significant in all quintiles of socioeconomic disadvantage, and urban health areas.

Usual consumption of lower fat or skim milk

In 2008, just under one-half (47.9 per cent) of the overall adult population usually consumed lower fat or skim milk. Generally, the proportion of adults who usually consumed lower fat or skim milk increased with age and decreased with socioeconomic disadvantage. A significantly lower proportion of males (40.9 per cent) than females (54.4 per cent) usually consumed lower fat or skim milk. A significantly lower proportion of adults in rural health areas (44.5 per cent) than urban health areas (49.3 per cent) usually consumed lower fat or skim milk. A significantly higher proportion of adults in the Northern Sydney & Central Coast Area Health Service (57.6 per cent), and a significantly lower proportion of adults in the Sydney South West (42.1 per cent), North Coast (41.6 per cent), and Greater Southern (43.3 per cent) Area Health Services, usually consumed lower fat or skim milk, compared with the overall adult population.

Since 1997, there has been a significant increase in the proportion of adults who usually consumed lower fat or skim milk (45.5 per cent to 47.9 per cent). The increase has been significant in males, the fourth quintile of socioeconomic disadvantage, and urban health areas.

Since 2007, there has been a significant increase in the proportion of adults who usually consumed lower fat or skim milk (45.7 per cent to 47.9 per cent). The increase has been significant in the fifth or most disadvantaged quintile and urban health areas.

Adequate physical activity

In 2008, just over one-half (55.1 per cent) of the overall adult population undertook adequate levels of physical activity, defined as 150 minutes a week over 5 separate occasions. Generally, the proportion of adults who undertook adequate levels of physical activity decreased with age and socioeconomic disadvantage. A significantly higher proportion of males (61.3 per cent) than females (48.9 per cent) undertook adequate levels of physical activity. There was no significant difference between rural and urban health areas. A significantly lower proportion of adults in the Greater Western Area Health Service (50.2 per cent) undertook adequate levels of physical activity, compared with the overall adult population.

Since 1998, there has been a significant increase in the proportion of adults who undertook adequate levels of physical activity (47.9 per cent to 55.1 per cent). The increase has been significant in males and females, all age groups, all quintiles of socioeconomic disadvantage, and urban and rural health areas.

Since 2007, there has been no significant change in the proportion of adults who undertook adequate levels of physical activity.

Current smoking

In 2008, just under 1 in 5 adults (18.4 per cent) were current smokers. A significantly higher proportion of males (19.7 per cent) than females (17.2 per cent) were current smokers. Generally, the proportion of adults who were current smokers decreased with age and increased with socioeconomic disadvantage. There was no significant difference between rural and urban health areas. A significantly higher proportion of adults in the Greater Western Area Health Service (23.2 per cent) were current smokers, compared with the overall adult population.

Since 1997, there has been a significant decrease in the proportion of adults who were current smokers (24.0 per cent to 18.4 per cent) except those aged 55-64 years, all quintiles of quintiles of socioeconomic disadvantage except the fifth or most disadvantaged quintile, and urban and rural health areas.

Since 2007, there has been no significant change in the proportion of adults who were current smokers; however, there was a significant decrease in those aged 45-54 years.

Smoke-free households

Just under 9 in 10 adults (89.5 per cent) live in smoke-free homes. Generally, the proportion of adults who live in smoke-free homes increased with age and decreased with socioeconomic disadvantage. There was no significant difference between rural and urban health areas. A significantly higher proportion of adults in the Northern Sydney & Central Coast Area Health Service (92.2 per cent), and a significantly lower proportion of adults in the Greater Western Area Health Service (84.4 per cent), live in smoke-free homes, compared with the overall adult population.

Since 1997, there has been a significant increase in the proportion of adults who live in smoke-free homes (69.7 per cent to 89.5 per cent). The increase has been significant in all age groups, quintiles of socioeconomic disadvantage, and urban and rural health areas.

Since 2007, there has been no significant change in the proportion of adults who live in smoke-free homes; however, there was a significant increase in the first or least disadvantaged quintile.

Graphs

Source:	New South Wales Population Health Survey 2008 (HOIST). Centre for Epidemiology and Research, NSW Department of Health.
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Produced by:	Centre for Epidemiology and Research, Population Health Division, NSW Department of Health.
Last updated on:	1 March 2009