A Community-Based, Cross-Sectional Study Assessing the Level of Awareness and Insight Related to Cardiovascular Diseases

Abstract

The disease outcome had been shown to improve with improving patient knowledge. The study had two objectives, firstly to assess the level of knowledge about cardiovascular diseases (CVDs) in the general population, and secondly, to provide written educational material regarding the risk factors, major symptoms, and the prevention of CVDs. MethodThe target population was the residents living in the Western region of Saudi Arabia, aged 18 years and above. All were invited to participate voluntarily. A pre-structured questionnaire was designed to collect data related to age, gender, marital status, education level, occupation, lifestyle habits, and a history of heart diseases, as well as cardiac symptoms, and risk factors. The educational material was provided after the questionnaire. ResultsThe majority of the participants were female (74.8%). The risk factors most frequently identified were lack of exercise, stress, and obesity. Chest pain was recognized as a major symptom (87.6%). Other symptoms included dyspnea, syncope, and excessive sweating. The level of knowledge regarding the risk factors for cardiovascular disease was poor. Only 18.5% were knowledgeable about the risk factors. The majority (60%) could identify the preventable factors, including smoking cessation (92.2%), a high level of cholesterol (88.6%), and hypertension (78.7%). The majority (83.7%) read the educational material and 99% reported that the lecture increased their knowledge about cardiovascular disease. ConclusionAlthough cardiovascular risk factors are common, there is a big gap in the knowledge in our population. Further, alarming symptoms that bring the patients to medical care are also deficient. A call for action at different levels is urgent. Simple educational material in a basic language and virtual education are useful and cheap tools that must be practiced wherever possible. Education is welcomed by the participants.

Assessment of Cardiovascular Diseases Knowledge and Risk Factors Among Adult Population in the South Region of Saudi Arabia

“…The current study revealed that CVDs risk factors are common among study participants. These results are supported by other studies in Saudi Arabia (Alghamdi et al, 2021) and Lebanon (Fahs et al, 2017). The main finding of this study is that the majority of study participants were eating an unhealthy diet, being overweight or obese with a BMI of 25 Kg/m 2 and more, and physically inactive.…”

“…Family history of CVD, dyslipidemia, hypertension, and diabetes was less frequently identified by participants as risk factors for developing CVDs. These results are congruent with those of studies conducted in Saudi Arabia (Alghamdi et al, 2021; Mujamammi et al, 2020), Kuwait (Awad & Al-Nafisi, 2014), and Jordan (Mukattash et al, 2012).…”

“…The correct response was 65.7 ± 20.80. Previous studies conducted in Saudi Arabia supported the findings that there is limited knowledge about the CVDs risk factors among the Saudis in Jeddah (Almalki et al, 2019), Qassim (Albadrani et al, 2020), Riyadh (Mujamammi et al, 2020), and Western region (Alghamdi et al, 2021). This is higher than what was obtained in India (60.26 ± 17.20) (Yeluri et al, 2021), and lower than a study conducted in Indonesia (Suarningsih & Suindrayasa, 2020).…”

“…The majority of participants (51.0%) had a family history of CVDs or diabetes. In comparison with other studies, about three-quarters of a community-based study in the Western region of Saudi Arabia had a family history of CVDs (Alghamdi et al, 2021). The differences in these statistics could be referred to as lifestyles in modern cities that increase the risk of CVDs which ultimately go in later generations.…”

Coronary artery disease risk factors in Saudi Arabia: Knowledge, awareness and prevalence assessment

“…Compared with a community based cross sectional study in the Western region of Saudi Arabia, the majority (80%) indicated lack of exercise, stress, and obesity as the most important risk factors. 77% of participants reported hypertension as a risk factor of CAD, 75.2% for smoking, 73.7% for family history of cardiovascular diseases, 72% Unhealthy diet, 70.4% Previous heart attack and 79.3% know that high level of LDL Cholesterol as a risk factor of CAD (Alghamdi et al, 2021).…”