Abstract
Objectives
This study examines gender differences in heart disease experiences of individuals in Turkey by employing individual level data from a nationally representative survey.
Methods
By using Turkish Health Survey, this study constructs a binary indicator for heart disease experiences of individuals, which accounts for heart problems such as myocardial infarction, coronary heart disease and angina pectoris. Binary logistic regression models are estimated for quantification of associations between prevalence of heart diseases, gender and other risk factors.
Results
Empirical results imply that females are significantly less likely to experience heart diseases in Turkey. Age and hypertension issues are directly correlated with heart problems for both males and females. Perceived health status is negatively associated with probability of experiencing heart diseases for both males and females in Turkey. Having diabetes is a positive significant predictor of heart disease experiences for Turkish females. Females with higher household income level are less likely to have heart diseases. Finally, education level and lifestyle indicators such as smoking, physical activity, fruit, vegetable and alcohol consumption display mixed results.
Conclusions
This study suggests that there are gender differences in prevalence and risk factors of heart diseases in Turkey. Complementing the earlier literature, findings of this study imply that gender specific health interventions would be effective in coping with heart related diseases.
This study examines gender differences in heart disease experiences of individuals in Turkey by employing individual level data from a nationally representative survey.
Methods
By using Turkish Health Survey, this study constructs a binary indicator for heart disease experiences of individuals, which accounts for heart problems such as myocardial infarction, coronary heart disease and angina pectoris. Binary logistic regression models are estimated for quantification of associations between prevalence of heart diseases, gender and other risk factors.
Results
Empirical results imply that females are significantly less likely to experience heart diseases in Turkey. Age and hypertension issues are directly correlated with heart problems for both males and females. Perceived health status is negatively associated with probability of experiencing heart diseases for both males and females in Turkey. Having diabetes is a positive significant predictor of heart disease experiences for Turkish females. Females with higher household income level are less likely to have heart diseases. Finally, education level and lifestyle indicators such as smoking, physical activity, fruit, vegetable and alcohol consumption display mixed results.
Conclusions
This study suggests that there are gender differences in prevalence and risk factors of heart diseases in Turkey. Complementing the earlier literature, findings of this study imply that gender specific health interventions would be effective in coping with heart related diseases.
| Original language | English |
|---|---|
| Pages (from-to) | 67-74 |
| Number of pages | 8 |
| Journal | Health Policy and Technology |
| Volume | 8 |
| Issue number | 1 |
| Early online date | 19 Mar 2019 |
| DOIs | |
| Publication status | Published - Mar 2019 |
Bibliographical note
Acknowledgements: The data sets of this research are provided by the Turkish Statistical Institute (TSI). The author is thankful to TSI for granting permissions to use corresponding data sources.Data Availability Statement
Turkish Statistical Institute (TSI). Turkey health survey micro data set Availableat: http://www.turkstat.gov.tr/MicroVeri/sagAr_2014/english/index.html.
Turkish Statistical Institute (TSI). Turkey health survey micro data set Available
at: http://www.turkstat.gov.tr/MicroVeri/sagAr_2016/english/index.html
Keywords
- Heart diseases
- Gender
- Education
- Turkey
- Logistic models
