Variation in religious affiliations between metropolitan, rural, agricultural and elderly populations: an update.

Abstract

Letter to the Editor describing an analysis carried out updating an article written in 2003 by the author showing that religious affiliation was more common within regional Victoria in populations the Department of Infrastructure defined as 'very elderly' and, particularly, 'agricultural'. The 2003 article was based on the 1996 census. Religious affiliation can affect health case choices, and results suggested that health professionals should be asking such people about their beliefs and incorporating them into health care plans. Repeating the analysis using date from the 2011 census revealed that agricultural populations continued to have fewer people without religious affiliation than Melbourne, though proportions of people with no religious affiliation in rural and verly elderly populations were not significantly different from Melbourne. Incorporating research findings into beliefs into training and professional development was seen as important for health and health care programs. (2003 article details: Peach, Hedley G. (2003) 'Variation in religious affiliations between different populations: metropolitan, agricultural and elderly.' Australian Journal of Rural Health 11 (1) 18-21)