Health behaviour beliefs and physical health risk factors for cardiovascular disease in an outpatient sample of consumers with a severe mental illness: A cross-sectional survey

BackgroundConsumers with a mental illness have a significantly higher risk of physical health problems than the general population. The role of health behaviour beliefs and their part in the health of consumers with a mental illness has been poorly explored in the literature.ObjectivesTo understand the relationship between physical health risk factors and health behaviour beliefs in consumers with schizophrenia.DesignA cross-sectional survey study design using the European Health and Behaviour Survey and assessing (n = 99) consumer's blood pressure, waist circumference, body mass index, smoking history, exercise levels, demographics, family history of diabetes and cardiovascular disease was used.SettingsThe study was conducted in a 76-bed psychiatric facility located within a 550-bed metropolitan generalist hospital in Sydney, Australia.ParticipantsPatients attending an outpatient clozapine clinic at the mental health service were asked to participate in the survey by a nurse working in the clinic during the study period.ResultsOf the 163 consumers asked to be involved in the study, n = 99 agreed to participate. Mean waist circumference and body mass index for both males and females were significantly above normal population limits. Overall, consumer's beliefs toward their health on the European Health and Behaviour Survey were positive, having statistically significantly more positive attitudes to the statements ‘avoiding too much sugar’, ‘drinking no alcohol’ and ‘yearly blood pressure checks’ than a previously published non-mental health consumer sample. Whilst having positive attitude toward their healthcare, consumers’ physical health risk parameters were higher than general population norms.ConclusionsConsumers with a mental illness have a significantly higher risk for serious physical health problems, yet possess high positive attitudes toward their physical health care. Models of care need to explore this contradiction within mental health services to improve patient outcomes.