Abstract:
The purpose of this cross sectional survey design was to examine self-reported
health status and lifestyle behaviours of the residents of the Town of Fort Erie, Ontario,
as related to the Canadian Community Health Survey. Using a mail-out survey, entitled
the Fort Erie Survey of Health (FESH), a probability cluster sampling technique was used
to measure self-reported health status (present health, health conditions, health
challenges, functional health limitations) and lifestyle behaviour (smoking, alcohol use,
drug use, physical activity, fruit and vegetable consumption, body weight, and gaming).
Each variable was described and analyzed in relation to socio-economic variables, age
and gender. The findings from this study were compared to the Canadian Community
Health Survey 2000/2001. Overall, 640 surveys were completed. The majority of Fort
Erie residents rated their present health as good and were satisfied with their overall
health and quality of life. The main chronic conditions reported were arthritis, back pain
and heart disease. Other main health problems reported were vision, sleeping and chronic
pain. Overall, 14.6% smoke; 58.8% engaged in physical activity either occasionally or
never as opposed to regularly engaging in physical activity; 52.1% did not eat the
required daily fruits and vegetables; and 40.0% were in the overweight category. Persons
who practiced one healthy lifestyle behaviour were more likely to practice other healthy
promoting behaviours. Therefore, health promotion programs are best designed to
address multiple risk factors simultaneously. The ffiSH was generally consistent with the
Canadian Community Health Survey in the overall findings. A small number of
inconsistencies were identified that require further exploration to determine if they are
unique to this community.
