Prevalence and correlates of smoking, drinking, and exercise among men in Dak Lak, Vietnam

In this study, we aimed to investigate the prevalence and determinants of health behaviors, including cigarette smoking, alcohol drinking, and physical exercise among men in Dak Lak, Vietnam. The dataset for the research comprised 1,557 men (aged 16 or above) drawn from a household interview survey in 2022. To assess correlates of health behaviors, we employed a multivariate probit model that considered the potential correlations between these behaviors, which previous research generally overlooked. The main findings revealed that individuals between 35 and 44 years old had the highest prevalence rates of smoking, drinking, and the co-occurrence of both. In addition, members in labor exchange groups possessed higher rates of smoking and drinking, while those from poor households not only reported higher rates of smoking and drinking but also participated in physical exercise less frequently. Moreover, variables such as family influence, age, ethnicity, income, and membership in labor exchange groups were significant determinants. The findings highlighted the need for education, integrated public health interventions, particularly targeting low-income and ethnic minority populations, and emphasized the promotion of healthy behaviors among influential family members.