[Cuban epidemic neuropathy: the risk factors in the population]

A cross-sectional study was conducted in 1995 in a representative sample of the Cuban population aged 15 years or over with the objective of describing prevalence and characteristics of smoking, alcohol consumption, and physical inactivity in the urban population which could have been affected by epidemic neuropathy from 1991-1993. The sampling was stratified at provincial and municipal levels and then by cluster samplings. 93% of the sample was surveyed (14 300 people). 30% of the population aged 17 years and over smoked; the highest proportion of smokers was located in 40-49 years age group; men smoked more than woman regardless of age. The prevalence of alcohol consumption was 45.2% in which Eastern provinces exceeded the domestic average with males predominating. The prevalence of physical inactivity at national level was 33%, 25.7% for males and 39.8% for females. 47.3% of males and 25.4% of females classified as physically active because of their useful extra activity. It was considered that irregular relationships between these 3 risk factors and the incidence of epidemic neuropathy at the ecological level make it think that, although they have a real influence on the determinants of the disease, other factors may also better account for the occurrence of these cases.