hospital based study on future approaches to combat cardiovascular diseases

ABSTRACT

To determine the opinions of the physicians posted in two tertiary acre hospitals of Peshawar regarding future strategies to combat cardiovascular diseases [CVD]. Descriptive observational survey conducted in Khyber Teaching Hospital [KHT], Hayatabad Medical Complex [HMC] and Department of Community Medicine at Khyber Medical College [KMC] in Peshawar, Pakistan in the period from 20[th] June to 15[th] August 2006. A total of 60 clinical experts were selected, 48 from KHT/KMC and 12 from HMC. Medical specialists, general physicians and community experts were included. They were interviewed with a pre-designed questionnaire, prepared in accordance with the objectives of the study. According to the clinicians and general physicians' opinion the national approaches to combat cardiovascular diseases should be aimed at tobacco control legislation and its empowerment [60%], national physical activity policy [70%], check on food quality [21.66%], research promotion in the field of CVD [36.66%], conducting workshops and seminars to educate people about CVD [30%] etc. Community approaches should be more specific towards promotion of healthy activities [71.66%], discouraging smoking [96.66%], and conducting local workshops to increase awareness [26.66%]. Individual approaches to combat CVD is to screen their blood pressure, glucose and lipid profile regularly [85%], stop smoking [96.66%], decrease their weight with exercise [75%], take appropriate medicine in time if is patient or at risk [46.66%] and leadership and advocacy to increase awareness and decrease stigma [43.33%]. while establishing a strategy for combating CVD there is need to offer multiple approaches on national, community and individual levels