Ethnic differences in behavioural risk factors for stroke: implications for health promotion

Ethnic minority groups are at a higher risk of stroke and heart disease. However, designing effective prevention strategies requires responding to the needs of different ethnic groups. The aims of this study were to estimate the prevalence of four behavioural risk factors (smoking, drinking, exercise and weight) for stroke among Black Caribbeans, Black Africans and Whites, and also to examined reported willingness to change these behaviours.

A random sample of 311 Black Caribbean, 300 White, and 105 Black Africans aged 45-74 registered with 16 practices in south London were surveyed in 1995. Information was obtained on smoking, drinking and exercise patterns, body mass index and perceptions of being at risk of stroke, and willingness to change risk behaviour.

White respondents (31% age and sex standardised prevalence) were more likely to smoke than Black Caribbeans (23%) and Black Africans (10%) (p < 0.001). Self reported rates of drinking were higher than the government's 'sensible drinking levels' for 19% of Whites, 11% of Black Caribbeans and 4% Black Africans (p < 0.001). In contrast, fewer Whites (51%) were overweight (BMI > 27) than Black Caribbeans (60%) and Black Africans (68%) (p = 0.001). A high proportion of smokers wished to give up (89% Black African; 83% Black Caribbean; 74% White). A higher proportion of Black Caribbeans (35%) reported a willingness to reduce their alcohol intake compared to only 15% of Whites (p = 0.040). There was a difference between groups in attitudes to weight reduction with 69% Black Caribbean women expressing a desire to be thinner compared to 86% Whites and 82% Black Africans (p = 0.051).

Strategies to reduce behavioural risk factors for heart attack and stroke need to emphasise different risk foctors among ethnic groups, especially in relation to alcohol use in the White population and weight in the Black Caribbean population. Influencing the change of these behaviours requires working in partnership with local community' groups.