Religion and Health Behaviors in Primary Care Patients

Few studies have investigated the association between religion and health behaviors in Korea, where various religions coexist. The present study aimed to investigate the association between religion and health behaviors among primary care patients in Korea.

We analyzed data from the Family Cohort Study in Primary Care. Among the 1,040 participants in the cohort, 973 of those who had reported their religion were included in the analysis. Participants completed standardized questionnaires that included religious status and lifestyle factors, such as physical activity, smoking status, drinking status, and dietary habits. The association between religion and health behaviors was analyzed using multivariate logistic regression models.

Among the 973 participants, 345 (35.5%) were Christian, 153 (15.7%) were Roman Catholic, 308 (31.7%) were Buddhist, and 163 (16.8%) did not have any religion. Compared with those without a religion, the odds ratio (OR) for vigorous physical activity (OR, 1.52; 95% confidence interval [CI], 1.01-2.28) increased, and that for binge drinking (OR, 0.67; 95% CI, 0.46-0.78) and problematic drinking (OR, 0.59; 95% CI, 0.35-0.99) decreased among participants with a religion. Compared with those without a religion, Catholics were more likely to engage in vigorous physical activity (OR, 2.20; 95% CI, 1.31-3.67), whereas Christians were less likely to engage in heavy (OR, 0.50; 95% CI, 0.30-0.84), binge (OR, 0.35; 95% CI, 0.22-0.54), and problematic drinking (OR, 0.46; 95% CI, 0.25-0.86). Smoking, meal regularity, and breakfast consumption were not associated with religion.

The status of drinking and physical activities were different according to religion. As religion is one of the psychosocial characteristics of patients, knowing patients' religion can be helpful for primary physicians.