Knowledge and awareness of and perception towards cardiovascular disease risk in sub-Saharan Africa: A systematic review

Abstract

IntroductionCardiovascular diseases (CVDs) are the most common cause of non-communicable disease mortality in sub-Saharan African (SSA) countries. Gaps in knowledge of CVD conditions and their risk factors are important barriers in effective prevention and treatment. Yet, evidence on the awareness and knowledge level of CVD and associated risk factors among populations of SSA is scarce. This review aimed to synthesize available evidence of the level of knowledge of and perceptions towards CVDs and risk factors in the SSA region.MethodsFive databases were searched for publications up to December 2016. Narrative synthesis was conducted for knowledge level of CVDs, knowledge of risk factors and clinical signs, factors influencing knowledge of CVDs and source of health information on CVDs. The review was registered with Prospero (CRD42016049165).ResultsOf 2212 titles and abstracts screened, 45 full-text papers were retrieved and reviewed and 20 were included: eighteen quantitative and two qualitative studies. Levels of knowledge and awareness for CVD and risk factors were generally low, coupled with poor perception. Most studies reported less than half of their study participants having good knowledge of CVDs and/or risk factors. Proportion of participants who were unable to identify a single risk factor and clinical symptom for CVDs ranged from 1.8% in a study among hospital staff in Nigeria to a high of 73% in a population-based survey in Uganda and 7% among University staff in Nigeria to 75.1% in a general population in Uganda respectively. High educational attainment and place of residence had a significant influence on the levels of knowledge for CVDs among SSA populations.ConclusionLow knowledge of CVDs, risk factors and clinical symptoms is strongly associated with the low levels of educational attainment and rural residency in the region. These findings provide useful information for implementers of interventions targeted at the prevention and control of CVDs, and encourages them to incorporate health promotion and awareness campaigns in order to enhance knowledge and awareness of CVDs in the region.

Cardiovascular Diseases and the Common Risk Factors Presented by Patients at Kitwe Teaching Hospital

“…Within controls only 22% had high knowledge score, 68% average and 10% low score (Pearson Chi Square 12.073 and P value 0.002). Similar findings have been reported in other parts of the world [9,17,4]. This finding is alarming because at this stage, patients should be well informed of the disease, in order for them to know how to protect themselves.…”

“…This study showed that the following factors were independently associated with cardiovascular disease: age, family history of CVDs, smoking, alcohol consumption, hypertension, high blood cholesterol, diabetes mellitus, lack of physical exercise, lack of balanced diet and inability to control weight. These factors have also been identified in several studies that have been conducted across the world [4,[9][10][11][12].…”

Evaluation of a cardiovascular education intervention with motivational text messaging among West African immigrants

“…Studies have also shown those who understood English were more likely to engage in protective behaviors. 5 It may be that text messaging is not the most appropriate method for CVD prevention.…”

Non-Communicable Diseases and Urbanization in African Cities: A Narrative Review

“…Lack of knowledge and awareness on risk factors at community level hinders healthy behavior change and uptake of early NCD screening and treatment services [101]. A study in Abuja reported a high prevalence of hypertension among the elderly populations, and majority of whom were unaware about their conditions [102].…”