Most Cypriots feel they are healthy

THE Statistical Service of Cyprus yesterday published the Health Survey 2003 report, providing information on the health status of the population, use of health services, medicine and alcohol consumption, smoking and quality of life.

The survey shows that nearly 81 per cent of people aged over 15 consider their health to be good.
The most frequent long-standing health problems faced by Cypriots are hypertension, allergies, migraines, arthrosis, chronic anxiety or depression, asthma, diabetes, chronic bronchitis, osteoporosis and ulcers.

Ninety-eight per cent of the 5,617 respondents can perform personal activities such as eating, getting in and out of bed, dressing, bathing and using the toilet without any difficulty.

Mental health status is positive in general, with men appearing more positive, happier, calmer and more able to face their problems than women.

During 2003, eight per cent of Cypriots were admitted to a hospital or clinic, totalling 74,994 admissions. Sixty-six per cent of people visited a doctor.

Use of prescribed medicines was made by 32.6 per cent of the population.

Visits to dentists or orthodontists were made by 39.3 per cent of persons aged one year or older.
The majority of the population (78 per cent) do not follow a special diet.

Sixty-eight per cent of the population usually read, watch TV or do other sedentary activities, whereas hard exercise is done by a percentage of 6.8 per cent.

Twenty-four per cent of the population aged 15 years or over smoke daily, averaging 23.8 cigarettes a day.

Over a monthly basis, 86.5 per cent consumed alcohol for an average of 8.1 days, approximating 1.9 glasses a day.

The Cyprus Mail is the only English-language daily newspaper published in Cyprus. It was established in 1945 and today, with its popular and widely-read website, the Cyprus Mail is among the most trusted news sites in Cyprus. The newspaper is not affiliated with any political parties and has always striven to maintain its independence. Over the past 70-plus years, the Cyprus Mail, with a small dedicated team, has covered momentous events in Cyprus’ modern history, chronicling the last gasps of British colonial rule, Cyprus’ truncated independence, the coup and Turkish invasion, and the decades of negotiations to stitch the divided island back together, plus a myriad of scandals, murders, and human interests stories that capture the island and its -people. Observers describe it as politically conservative.