Factors Related to Awareness of Cardio-cerebrovascular Disease among Korean Adults: the 2013 Community Health Survey

ABSTRACT

BACKGROUND: This study investigated factors related to awareness of cardio-cerebrovascular disease (CCVD) in a large Korean general population. METHODS: Data for 228,781 subjects older than 19 years in 253 cities, counties, and districts were collected from the 2013 Community Health Survey in Korea. Associations between socio-demographics, health behaviors, comorbidities, and awareness of CCVD were examined using the chi-squared test and multiple logistic regression analysis. A total of 219,461 subjects were included in the final analysis after excluding subjects with null responses to any questions. RESULTS: The awareness of CCVD was 26.7% in the total population (27.8% in males, 25.8% in females). Of the significant associating factors, the odds ratios for awareness of CCVD were two-fold higher in people aged 40-49 years , 50-59 years, and 60-69 years (ref. 19-29 years), living in Chungbuk provinces (ref. Seoul), higher education (ref. non-formal education), and diagnosed with angina pectoris (ref. non-diagnosed), as compared to their individual reference groups. CONCLUSIONS: Socio-demographics, health behaviors, and comorbidities have significant impact on awareness of CCVD. To improve the public's awareness of CCVD and to reduce health inequalities, effective and specialized interventions should be developed that take these factors into account.