Cardiovascular health knowledge, attitude and practice/behaviour in an urbanising community of Nepal: a population-based cross-sectional study from Jhaukhel-Duwakot Health Demographic Surveillance Site

Abstract

ObjectivesThis study determined the knowledge, attitude and practice/behaviour of cardiovascular health in residents of a semiurban community of Nepal.DesignTo increase the understanding of knowledge, attitude and practice/behaviour towards cardiovascular health, we conducted in-home interviews using a questionnaire based on the WHO STEPwise approach to surveillance and other resources, scoring all responses. We also recorded blood pressure and took anthropometric measurements.SettingOur study was conducted as part of the Heart-Health-Associated Research and Dissemination in the Community project in the Jhaukhel-Duwakot Health Demographic Surveillance Site in two urbanising villages near Kathmandu.ParticipantsThe study population included 777 respondents from six randomly selected clusters in both villages.ResultsSeventy per cent of all participants were women and 26.9% lacked formal education. The burden of cardiovascular risk factors was high; 20.1% were current smokers, 43.3% exhibited low physical activity and 21.6% were hypertensive. Participants showed only poor knowledge of heart disease causes; 29.7% identified hypertension and 11% identified overweight and physical activity as causes, whereas only 2.2% identified high blood sugar as causative. Around 60% of respondents did not know any heart attack symptoms compared with 20% who knew 2–4 symptoms. Median percentage scores for knowledge, attitude and practice/behaviour were 79.3, 74.3 and 48, respectively. Nearly 44% of respondents had insufficient knowledge and less than 20% had highly satisfactory knowledge. Among those with highly satisfactory knowledge, only 14.7% had a highly satisfactory attitude and 19.5% and 13.9% had satisfactory and highly satisfactory practices, respectively.ConclusionsOur study demonstrates a gap between cardiovascular health knowledge, attitude and practice/behaviour in a semiurban community in a low-income nation, even among those already affected by cardiovascular disease.

Age-group differences in risk perceptions of non-communicable diseases among adults in Diepsloot township, Johannesburg, South Africa: A cross-sectional study based on the Health Belief Model

“…Similar findings were reported in studies conducted in two villages near Kathmandu (Nepal) [12] and in Karachi (Pakistan) [13] RESEARCH in relation to their attitude towards cardiovascular health [12] and modifiable risk factors for heart diseases. [13] In contrast, the level of knowledge and practice of cardiovascular health were statistically different according to age, [12] where participants ˂35 years old were more likely to have a greater adequate knowledge and better practice than those who were >45 years of age. [12,13] This was consistent with the results of other studies on knowledge of risk factors and prevention regarding diabetes in eastern Saudi Arabia, [14] and of chronic diseases in Jinan (China).…”

“…[13] In contrast, the level of knowledge and practice of cardiovascular health were statistically different according to age, [12] where participants ˂35 years old were more likely to have a greater adequate knowledge and better practice than those who were >45 years of age. [12,13] This was consistent with the results of other studies on knowledge of risk factors and prevention regarding diabetes in eastern Saudi Arabia, [14] and of chronic diseases in Jinan (China). [15] A cross-sectional study among black and Hispanic females in the USA found that younger-aged females (<55 years) were less conscious of heart disease being the leading cause of mortality in women and were less likely to state that they were very well or knowledgeable concerning heart disease compared with older-aged women.…”

“…Therefore, studies conducted in other countries were used to support the results of this study. Although several studies across developed and developing countries have examined knowledge, attitude and practice of preventive measures among individuals at increased risk of different NCDs, particularly breast cancer in females, [10,11,18,32] diabetes, [14,21] and CVDs, [12,13,16,[33][34][35][36][37][38] this is the first identifiable study that explored the relationship between age groups and risk perceptions of NCDs, based on all the constructs of the HBM.…”

“…It is noteworthy that the likelihood of perceiving oneself at greater risk escalates when the presence of a risk factor is known. [12] Risk indicators, for instance the number of cigarettes smoked, account for 24.0% variation in perceived risk. [44] However, the primary survey questionnaire did not capture the participants' smoking behaviours.…”

Blood glucose monitoring in type 2 diabetes – Nepalese patients’ opinions and experiences

“…In a country like Nepal, where diabetes imposes a huge financial burden on patients [34], and where diabetes management is challenged by poor health literacy [35] and patients’ limited knowledge of diabetes [18,36], the extent to which self-monitoring should be promoted and to what extent the benefits of self-monitoring may be achieved (and how) should be carefully considered. It is also important to have a realistic expectation of how self-monitoring practices might be implemented effectively.…”