RESUMEN
Background: The prevalence of the coronary artery disease [CAD] is increasing in the developing countries, including Saudi Arabia. The aim of this study was to evaluate knowledge of CAD risk factors and to appraise the related attitude and practice among the general population of Tabuk city, Saudi Arabia
Methods: A cross-sectional descriptive study was conducted on a random sample of Tabuk city population. Each participant responded to a questionnaire paper requesting information about his personal details, knowledge about the CAD risk factors, his attitude, and his actual practice towards the risk factors. Study permission was obtained from the Research Committee [Faculty of Medicine/ University of Tabuk]. Informed consents were obtained from the participants before entry into the study. The collected data were analyzed using the Statistical Package for the Social Sciences [SPSS Inc., Chicago, IL], version 20. Statistical significance was accepted when P value is less than 0.05
Results: A total of 126 adult subjects [69.84% males] participated in this study. Of the participants, 71.42% received university education, 2.4% had a past history of heart attack, 3.2% were known cases of diabetes mellitus, and 6.3% were known cases of hypertension. The commonest risk factors identified by the participants were smoking [81%]. Those who could identify hypertension, obesity, smoking and diabetes mellitus were 65.9%, 77.8%, 81.0%, and 37.3% respectively. Less than two thirds [64.3%] of individuals could identify stress as a risk factor, and less than half [44.4%] could identify the genetic tendency as a risk factor of CAD. The majority of participants [72.2%] know that lack of exercise or the sedentary life style is a risk factor for CAD; however, only 8.16% were fully aware of the principal five modifiable risk factors of heart disease
Conclusion: The study showed critical deficiencies in CAD risk factors knowledge and perception that could result in underestimation of the disease severity. Educational health programs are highly recommended to increase awareness about the modifiable risk factors of the CAD
RESUMEN
Background: In Tabuk region, colorectal cancer [CRC] ranked the first among male and the third among female. Therefore, the current study was carried out to investigate the extent of both knowledge and attitude toward CRC risk factor and screening among specific age group [31 and above] from both males and females through conducting self-administrated questionnaire. In addition, the study aimed at identifying the practice of CRC screening tests through fecal occult blood testing [FOBT], flexible sigmoidoscopy [FS] and colonoscopy, which are the main tests in cancer screening programme in Saudi Arabia. The study also identified perceived barrier of CRC screening of those who aged 51 year and above
Methods: We have conducted a descriptive cross-sectional study in Tabuk city population, Saudi Arabia. A self-administered questionnaire, about colorectal cancer was filled by participants. A 33-item instrument was developed based on an earlier studies and instruments used in other prior studies
Results: Participants were classified to three categories according to age. Male and female groups contributed to [26.3%] and [73.6%] respectively. Mostly noticed perceived barriers for doing FOBT were: because of no symptoms and because I do not know if I have to do it, and the similar results documented for doing flexible sigmoidoscopy and colonoscopy. Participants were more likely not to be familiar with CRC screening
Conclusion: Many misconceptions regarding cancer and its development were evident in the discussions. Collective efforts are needed to broadcast this knowledge through media and public schools, with a hope that it will alter the current aggressive disease presentation in Saudi Arabia