PREVALENCE OF SELECTED HEALTH CHARACTERISTICS OF WOMEN AND COMPARISONS WITH MEN - A COMMUNITY-HEALTH SURVEY IN JERUSALEM

Abstract

The health status of women was studied as part of a community health survey in Kiryat Hayovel, a neighborhood in western Jerusalem, Israel. Most women (66%) reported that they felt well; clinical appraisals indicated a need for treatment in 34%. Hypertension was found in 14% and coronary heart disease in 4%. Other common disorders included varicose veins (31%), overweight (25%), hemorrhoids (20%), hypercholesterolemia (15%), gallbladder disease (8%) and diabetes (4%). Prevalence of symptoms of emotional ill-health ranged from 6-40%. A quarter reported serious current problems, 10% were dissatisfied with their present life situation, 8% had concentration camp experience and 27% were current cigarette smokers. Prevalence of most disorders rose in successive age groups. Comparisons with the men in this community indicated a higher prevalence among females of self-appraised ill-health, high symptom and emotional ill-health scores and complaints about a number of physical conditions. This may reflect how women in this community respond to illness and their life situation. With some exceptions, age trends and sex differences were similar to those found in population studies in the USA.