Knowledge of cardiovascular disease risk factors among the non-medical staff of a medical university in UAE

ABSTRACT

Cardiovascular diseases [CVD], a group of disorders of heart and blood vessels [Coronary Heart Diseases; CHD and stroke], are the most common causes of premature morbidity and mortality worldwide. To study the level of knowledge about CVD risk factors and prevention among non-medical staff of Gulf Medical University. A cross - sectional questionnaire - based survey was used to collect data from 77 participants. Questions enquiring about the definitions of CHD and stroke [closed ended statements]; steps to be taken to reduce the risk of getting CHD/stroke [Open ended sections] and identification of factors that increase risk of CVD [from a list] formed parts of the questionnaire. Majority of the participants were South Asians, educated males [74%]. Around 76.6% and 57.1% knew definitions of CHD and stroke respectively. Exercise [76.6% and 45.5%], healthy food habits [68.8% and 35.1%] and smoking cessation [28.6% and 20.8%] were indicated as steps to be taken to reduce the risk of CHD and stroke respectively. From the listed factors, high blood cholesterol [87%], high blood pressure [84.4%], family history [75.3%], obesity/ overweight [65.7%], and diabetes mellitus [58.4%] were identified as factors that increase the risk for CVD. Very few participants identified male gender [30%] and South Asian ethnicity [18.2%] as risk factors. Though 84.4% identified tobacco smoking as a risk factor of CVD, only half of them knew that regular exposure to second-hand smoke can also lead to CVD. Moreover, few [36.4%] knew about high risk in females who smoke and use oral contraceptives and that the risk increases after menopause [23.4%]. The knowledge about CVD risk factors and prevention among the participants is high which may have been influenced by their working environment. However, it is far from [deal as they belong to a high risk ethnic population