Methodical questions on assessment of risk associated with behavioral factors’ impact on population health

The study offers an algorithm and methods for semi-quantitative assessment of health risk associated with impact of behavioral factors that have scarce data for quantitative parametrization of the “factor - response” relation. Some of these factors include, first of all, irresponsible medical and hygienic behavior, violations of work and rest, sleep and wakefulness schedule. It was shown that the semi-quantitative risk assessment assumes the development of private mark scales for each estimated behavioral factor, as well as a choice of an integration way of scores, a choice of a way for establishing the negative effects’ severity, formation of risk matrix. For example, the factor "irresponsible health behavior" demonstrates the method of the mark characteristics of the risk taking potential of separate risk components to be used in calculating of the individual and integrated indexes of health deterioration probability. The following components have been taken into account: a) timeliness of visiting a doctor, b) the practice of preventive examinations, c) compliance (commitment to the treatment appointed by a doctor), d) reception of medicines without appointment of the doctor, e) the request for the recommendation of medicines and methods of treatment to someone, except the doctor. The study offers a logical scheme of the behavioral risk factor analysis at the individual level for using on a stage of the exposure evaluation. It was shown that the tools used for exposure characterization must assume the possibility for assessment of the typicality and stability of behavioral patterns realized by individuals or a group. It is recommended to apply the matrix for semi-quantitative assessment of health risks associated with the activity of behavioral factors. The matrix combines two types of descriptors that both characterize a semi - quantitative probability assessment and assess the adverse effect severity.