Public knowledge of risk factors and warning signs for cardiovascular disease among young and middle-aged adults in rural Tanzania

Abstract

Background: Improving cardiovascular health requires public knowledge and reduction of modifiable cardiovascular disease (CVD) risk factors. This study assessed knowledge of risk factors and warning signs for CVDs among young and middle-aged adults in Morogoro, Tanzania.Methods: We conducted a community-based survey as part of cluster randomized controlled study of community health workers (CHWs) intervention for reduction of blood pressure among young and middle-aged adults in rural Morogoro. Information on socio-demographic characteristics, knowledge of risk factors and warning signs for CVDs was collected using an interviewer administered questionaire. Knowledge was assessed using open-ended questions followed by closed-ended questions. Descriptive statistics were used to describe knowledge of risk factors and warning signs. Logistic regression analysis was used to investigate factors associated with adequate knowledge of risk factors and warning signs for CVDs.Results: Two-thirds (65.7%) of the participants had heard about CVDs. The main sources of information were mainly relatives/ neighbors (64.8%) and radio (53.0%). Only 28.3% of the participants reported health care providers as source of information about CVDs. More than half of the participants (52.4%) did not mention even one risk factor spontaneously while 55.2% were unable to mention any warning sign. When asked to select from a list, 6.9% were unable to correctly identify any risk factor whereas 11.8% could not correctly identify even a single warning sign. Quarter of participants (25.4%) had good knowledge score of risk factors, 17.5% had good knowledge score of warning signs and 16.3% had overall good knowledge of both risk factors and warning signs. Residing in Ulanga, having higher education level, having ever checked blood pressure and being overweight/obese predicted adequacy of knowledge score for both risk factors and warning signs.Conclusion: Knowledge of risk factors and warning signs in this rural population of young and middle-aged adults was generally low. Health care providers were less likely to provide health education regarding risk factors and warning signs for CVDs. Health promotion interventions to increase population knowledge of risk factors and warning signs should be implemented for successful reduction of CVDs in Tanzania.

Faktor Risiko Hipertensi Pada Usia Produktif Di Indonesia Dan Upaya Penanggulangannya

“…Penelitian di Turki menunjukan bahwa lebih dari sepertiga orang dewasa mengalami hipertensi (36,5%) dimana hanya sepertiga yang menyadari sedang menderita hipertensi (Bayram et al, 2021). Hasil survei pada daeral rural Tanzania dimana hanya sepertiga (34,3%) dari responden yang menyadari bahwa mereka hipertensi, sedangkan dua pertiga sisanya (65,7%) tidak terdiagnosis (Muhihi et al, 2020).…”

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

“…Another study conducted in 2019 at Al-Qassim, Saudi Arabia, observed that there is a notable lack of awareness about the risk factors of coronary artery disease (Almalki et al, 2019). Reducing CAD and improving cardiovascular health requires a public knowledge and awareness of CAD implications, symptoms (Almalki et al, 2019) and risk factors (Muhihi et al, 2020). The previous studies that have been done in Saudi Arabia was confined to only certain cities Riyadh, Qassim, Hail, Jeddah and Rabigh.…”