Knowledge and practice of adults attending primary health care centers regarding major coronary heart disease risk factors in Basrah city

الملخص EN

Introduction: Cardiovascular diseases (CVDs) are common in the general population, affecting the majority of adults past the age of 60 years.

The prevalence of coronary heart disease (CHD) is approximately one-third to one-half that of total CVD.

Knowledge of CHD risk factors has been identified as a prerequisite for changes in behavior and is often targeted by prevention programs.

Objective: The study aimed to study the knowledge of risk factors and the practice of CHD related behaviors among individuals > 18 years of age attending PHC centers in Basrah city center and to find out the sociodemographic factors that affect such knowledge and practice.

Methods: The study involved 423 male and female aged 18 years and above, attending 6 primary health care centers in Basrah city.

Data were collected through direct interview of the participants by the investigators, using a special questionnaire form prepared for the purpose of the study.

Results: The results of the study showed that 77.

3% of the participants had good level of knowledge (know at least 7 risk factors).

The most common knowledgeable risk factors by the participants were stress, smoking, fatty diet and obesity in descending order.

Older age groups, high educated persons, governmental employees and participants with history of coronary heart disease related illness were more likely to have higher knowledge score.

Practicing diet modification and regular exercise were prevalent in 23.

5% and 12.

8% of the participants respectively.

Conclusions: The knowledge level of risk factors for CHD in selected PHC centers in Basrah seems to be good, however, the practice of CHD preventive behaviors was quite poor, this necessitates the need for public health education programs.