Public Knowledge of Risk Factors and Warning Signs for Cardiovascular Disease Among Young and Middle-Aged Adults in Rural Tanzania

Abstract

Background: Improvement in 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 in a general population of young and middle-aged adults in rural 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 questionnaire. 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. Overall, 25.4% of participants had good knowledge score of risk factors while 17.5% had good knowledge score of 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 poor. 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.

Burden and Determinants of Self-Reported High Blood Pressure Among Women of Reproductive Age In Tanzania: Evidence from 2022 Tanzania Demographic and Health Survey

“…However, our findings were notably lower compared to several other community-based studies across the country. For instance, studies in Northern Tanzania reported a prevalence of 28.0% [23], while another in rural Morogoro noted 29.3% [24], and the national representative STEPS survey in 2012 found a prevalence of 25.9% [25]. The lower prevalence in our study might be due to the inclusion of younger participants, as 38.9% were aged 15-24 years, contrasting previous studies that involved older participants, where high blood pressure is more common.…”

“…Additionally, it is important to note that many individuals with hypertension in our study might not be aware of their condition [24].…”