Level of knowledge about cardiovascular disease risk factors among individuals at risk of developing coronary artery disease: A cross-sectional study

Abstract

Cardiovascular disease risk factors are certain habits, behaviors, events, or conditions that increase a person's risk for developing cardiovascular disease, such as lack of exercise, unhealthy eating, smoking, diabetes mellitus, age, and family history. The study aims to assess the level of knowledge about risk factors for cardiovascular diseases (CVDs) among individuals at risk of developing coronary artery disease (CAD). This cross-sectional study was carried out with 86 employees at the University of Baghdad, those individuals at risk of developing CAD, and referred to the university health center to seek treatment. This study was conducted between June and September 2024. Non-probability sampling (purpose sample) was used in this study. The following instruments were used to collect data: demographics, clinical characteristics, and the Cardiovascular Disease Risk Factors Knowledge Level (CARRF-KL). Statistical Package for the Social Sciences (SPSS) Version 22.0 was used; descriptive statistics, independent t-test, and Analysis of Variance (ANOVA) test were used to compare the means between two related groups. Overall, the mean of the CARRF-KL total score (19.26 (standard deviation [SD]=1.97)) showed that respondents’ knowledge level was moderate. It is not significantly associated with sex, age, education level, medical history, family history of CAD, body mass index, or smoking (P>0.05). These findings indicate that individuals at risk of developing CAD have a moderate knowledge of the factors that contribute to cardiovascular events. However, there is still an obvious need for focused educational interventions to fill the identified knowledge gaps.