International Journal of Collaborative Research on Internal Medicine & Public Health

Knowledge, Attitude and Practice on Cardiovascular Disease among Women in North-Eastcoast Malaysia

Introduction: Coronary heart disease (CHD) is a leading killer not only in men but also in women worldwide and primary target for prevention. However, majority initial researchers believed it was mainly a men’s disease that resulted in fewer women being informed regarding the disease.

Aim and Objectives: A cross sectional study was conducted to determine the level of knowledge, attitude and practice on cardiovascular disease among women attended outpatient clinics with Family Medicine Specialists in Kelantan from June to December 2010.

Methods/ Study Design: A total of 448 women from 7 out of 14 clinics run by Specialist with age ranged between 25 and 65 years were selected via systematic random sampling in the ratio of 1:2 based on clinic attendance lists. Excluded were those who illiterate and having psychotic symptoms. All of consented participants were given a set of validated KAP questionnaire to be completed within 15 minutes.

Findings: Majority of respondents were Malays with mean age of 39.9 years. Among them, 3.1% were smokers and 41.1% claimed having medical illness, the commonest was obesity (23.6%). About 87% of women knew that smoking is a risk factor. However, less than 20% knew about menopause. More than 80% knew typical symptoms whereas less than half realised atypical symptoms. Less than 20% of them knew the cholesterol risk target. Only 13% of women practiced exercise as required. The mean (SD) for knowledge and practice score were 70.6 (13.76) and 63.7(13.59) accordingly. The median (IQR) for attitude score was 88.2 (14.71). Thus the good knowledge, attitude and practice score were 55.6%, 55.1 % and 51.1% respectively.

Conclusion: A structured educational programme and utilization of available CVD guidelines should be reinforced as a better preventive strategy to overcome this problem.

Author(s): Rosediani Muhamad, Ranimah Yahya, Harmy Mohamed Yusoff

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