Knowledge and Attitudes Toward Cardiovascular Diseases and Their Risk Factors Among the Najran Population in Saudi Arabia

• Published in: Curēus (Palo Alto, CA) CA), 2023-10, Vol.15 (10), p.e46839-e46839
• Main Authors: AlShehri, Hamdan, Alqahtani, Alanoud, Al Mansour, Ashjan, Alwadei, Renad, Abuanq, Leen, Alkhazaim, Suha, Qashqari, Abdulmajeed, Al Kulayb, Saleh
• Format: Article
• Language: English
• Subjects: Anemia; Attitudes; Cardiology; Cardiovascular disease; Diabetes; Family medical history; Health care; Hypertension; Knowledge; Metabolic disorders; Mortality; Population; Questionnaires; Risk factors; Thyroid gland
• ISSN: 2168-8184; 2168-8184
• DOI: 10.7759/cureus.46839

BackgroundCardiovascular disease (CVD) prevention is of great importance due to the high prevalence of CVDs and elevated treatment expenses among patients and healthcare systems. One of the most effective strategies is the improvement of knowledge and attitude levels toward CVD symptoms and risk factors.ObjectiveThis study aimed to explore the level of knowledge and attitude about CVD among the general population in Najran city, Saudi Arabia.MethodsA descriptive cross-sectional study was carried out between November and December 2022 among the Najran population. A structured questionnaire comprised socio-demographic characteristics, attitudes, and knowledge about CVD and risk factors. Ethical approval was taken from the ethical committee.ResultsThe study included 527 participants living in Najran city aged 18 to 60 years old. Most participants were Saudi nationals (97.3%, N = 513), two-thirds had a university degree (68.9%, N = 126), and approximately half of them were females (51.8%). Furthermore, about two-thirds of the participants (60.7%, N = 320) showed a good knowledge level, and most reported an excellent attitude (87.3%, N = 460). Participants who had a university degree showed significantly better attitude levels (p-value = 0.043). No factors revealed a significant impact on the knowledge level.ConclusionModerate knowledge and excellent attitude levels were seen among the Saudi population. Increasing the knowledge level among the total population is essential. It will be reflected in their attitude and practice. Thus, structured educational programs and utilization of available CVD guidelines should be strengthened as a better preventive strategy to overcome this condition. Also, using mass and social media to increase population awareness and good health responsibility is an effective way to limit the risk of CVD incidence.