Knowledge, Attitude, and Practice Regarding Cardiovascular Diseases in Adults Attending Health Care Centers in Tehran, Iran

Abstract

Background: Studies on knowledge, attitude, and practice (KAP) can be valuable for public health to help in developing targeted educational programs and assessing the effectiveness of interventional programs. Objectives: This study was designed to determine the level of current knowledge, attitude, and practice (KAP) regarding cardiovascular diseases (CVDs), its risk factors, and symptoms in adults attending health care centers in Tehran Province. Methods: A cross-sectional study was performed using a self-administered questionnaire on adults aged > 20 years attending health care centers in Tehran Province, Iran. Descriptive and multivariate logistic regression analyses were used in data analysis. Results: A total of 300 adults (51.3% females) with a mean age of 39.71 ± 12.1 years participated in this study. The median (IQR) score for knowledge about CVD was 91.7 (16.7); approximately 80% of respondents’ awareness was highly satisfactory and hypertension was the commonest identified risk factor followed by obesity. Furthermore, the median (IQR) score for attitude was 89 (18); 70% of respondents had a highly satisfactory attitude about CVD. Regarding physical activity and nutrition and smoking behaviors, just 10.7% and 32% had highly satisfactory behavior, respectively. In the multivariate logistic regression analysis, attending university education and age ≥ 40 years were independent factors of a better level of CVD knowledge, attending university education, and having a family history of chronic disease were independent factors of a better level of CVD attitude. Regarding a higher physical activity behavior, being a man, and for a better nutrition & smoking behavior, attending university education were the only independent factors. Conclusions: Although more than half of the current study participants had high knowledge and attitude about CVD, their behaviors is not satisfactory. Therefore, it is necessary to establish more effective educational interventions aimed at promoting positive health behaviors and explaining to the public that knowledge and action regarding the reduction of risk factors are linked to reduced CVD and mortality.

Population awareness of cardiovascular disease risk factors and health care seeking behavior in the UAE

“…It seems reasonable to expect higher CVD knowledge scores in higher educated individuals, since more education can result in more exposure to information about diseases. Similar to some previous studies, which reported a significant association between age and CVD knowledge [ 25 , 28 ]; the current study showed that participants aged 40-49 years old were more knowledgeable about CVD risk factors compared to others. This is in line with other studies, which reported significant difference in CVD knowledge among different age groups [25] .…”

“…Similar to some previous studies, which reported a significant association between age and CVD knowledge [ 25 , 28 ]; the current study showed that participants aged 40-49 years old were more knowledgeable about CVD risk factors compared to others. This is in line with other studies, which reported significant difference in CVD knowledge among different age groups [25] . This might be due to middle-aged people usually are more keen on getting medical care and having more intention to access physicians and knowing about CVD.…”

“…Based on our results, higher educated individuals have significantly higher knowledge and better attitude toward CVD risk factors ( Table 5 ), yet, this knowledge was not affecting on practice. The association of higher education with better knowledge score has been reported in other studies in the region [ 25 , 26 ]. It seems reasonable to expect higher CVD knowledge scores in higher educated individuals, since more education can result in more exposure to information about diseases.…”

“…Participants aging 40-49, non-UAE subjects, and those with University/Postgraduate academic levels had better knowledge of CVD risk factors. There is evidence to support this observation [ 25 , 26 ], and this could be explained by the fact that the more literate group, the greater exposure to CVD health-related knowledge. The higher knowledge in middle-aged participants has been also reported in previous studies in the region [ 25 , 26 ].…”

“…There is evidence to support this observation [ 25 , 26 ], and this could be explained by the fact that the more literate group, the greater exposure to CVD health-related knowledge. The higher knowledge in middle-aged participants has been also reported in previous studies in the region [ 25 , 26 ]. Despite the high level of knowledge and attitude, the majority of our participants expressed that they "prefer to play with a laptop instead of doing exercise" (616, 84%); and choose to eat or buy fast food when going out with friends (525, 72%); however ( Table 3 ).…”