[Evaluation of information sources and the effectiveness of health education in the North Bohemian Region, as indicated by knowledge of risk factors for cardiovascular diseases].

In May 1988 in the North Bohemian region an anonymous enquiry was made among a representative group of 3,767 respondents which was focused among others on problems of health education. The respondents consider the most important source of health education in 60.37% a talk with their doctor, in 37.67% television and in 17.67% lectures. Newspaper articles, pamphlets and films are rated roughly equally (cca 5% of the respondents). Posters are negligible as a source of health education. Health education is most appreciated by the oldest age group and least by respondents aged 16-30 years. It is necessary to prefer the most appreciated forms of health education and to seek contents and forms attractive for the youngest group of patients. Part of the enquiry was focused on knowledge of risk factors of cardiovascular diseases. Smoking is considered generally most harmful, less than half know about the harmfulness of stress, few respondents know that diabetes is a risk factor (26.3%). The most frequently incorrectly mentioned factor was alcohol.