Effect of Background Factors on Preventive Consciousness aimed at Lifestyle-Related Symptoms or Diseases, and Changing Awareness of Genetic Analysis

Abstract

To investigate the effects of background factors on preventive consciousness regarding lifestyle-related symptoms or diseases (LRSD), and changing awareness of genetic analyses, previously reported questionnaire survey results were reanalyzed, with the general population and pharmacy staff treated as one group (10-90s). Many respondents, regardless of background factors choose “do nothing” when the gene associated with the surveyed LRSD is unknown. However, many elderly people in their 70s or older choose dietary preventive measures for hypertension, diabetes, hypercholesterolemia, and arteriosclerosis. These results suggest that elderly people exercise daily preventive consciousness toward LRSD associated with arteriosclerosis. When a gene is known to be associated with an LRSD, regardless of background factors, significantly fewer participants choose “do nothing” than when the gene is unknown. Many respondents choose diet-related preventive measures. These results indicate that LRSD-associated genetic analyses may raise preventive consciousness toward these diseases regardless of background factors.