[Health status, health behavior and attitudes of young Geneva adults]

This study was aimed at assessing the health status, health-related life-styles and health concerns among young urban adults, 41% of them university students. Two mailed surveys were conducted in Geneva (Switzerland), in 1992 among 1007 persons and in 1993 among 1424 persons. Participation rates were over 80%. Study participants were aged 18-45 (mean age 31 years in 1993). For most health status dimensions, men declared to be healthier than women. Mental health-related concerns were frequent, especially among university students. Prevalence of health-related life-styles were: smoking 39%, drinking-and-driving at least once in past year 18%, always wear a seat belt 35%, had several sexual partners in past year but did not always use condoms 11%, exercise each week 46%. The more educated persons had healthier life styles, for all aspects except for unprotected sex with several sexual partners. These results are worrying and call for more active prevention strategies, directed at mental health problems, use of seat belts, drinking-and-driving, smoking and sexually transmitted diseases.