Tulu Seifu Nigussie, Al Salmi Nasser, Jones Jacqueline
College of Nursing, University of Colorado Anschutz Medical Campus, Aurora, CO, USA.
BMC Public Health. 2021 Apr 17;21(1):745. doi: 10.1186/s12889-021-10781-1.
Globally, cardiovascular disease (CVD) accounts for 45% of all chronic non-communicable disease deaths and 31% of all deaths. CVD has remained the primary cause of death in the world for the past fifteen years. Compared to other continents, CVD and its risk factors are highly prevalent in Africa, but the continent also displays a low-level of knowledge and awareness of CVD, and poor perception of its risk factors. Little research has been done on the connection between the daily lived experiences of African people and the high prevalence and poor perception of CVD and its risk factors on the African continent. The aim of this study is to provide an in-depth understanding of the daily, lived experiences of African people and the connections between these experiences and the prevention, control, and management of CVD and its risk factors.
A systematic search was performed in PubMed, CINAHL, EMBASE, Psych INFO, and Web of Science databases to identify published English qualitative studies of CVD and its risk factors. Qualitative metasynthesis included structured techniques of data immersion and quality appraisal, thematic synthesis, and reciprocal translation.
Seven studies met the inclusion criteria. Four major themes were identified from the metasynthesis: 1) understanding and beliefs about CVD; 2) perceived causes/risk factors for CVD; 3) understanding and belief about obesity; 4) perceived treatment options for CVD. The metasynthesis identified a consistent disconnect among African people between seeing CVD as a deadly and chronic disease and their perceptions of the minimal signs and symptoms of the disease in the early stages. This was further compounded by the gap between traditional healers and health care professionals.
Perceptions of CVD, its risk factors, and treatments were influenced by religious and cultural factors. Given the minimal signs and symptoms experienced in the early stages of the disease, there was a consistent disconnect among African people between seeing CVD as a deadly and chronic illness. Further investigations of the religious and cultural influences and educational programs related to these areas of disconnect are needed to improve the knowledge, attitudes, and beliefs of African people.
在全球范围内，心血管疾病（CVD）占所有慢性非传染性疾病死亡人数的45%，占总死亡人数的31%。在过去十五年中，心血管疾病一直是全球主要死因。与其他大洲相比，心血管疾病及其危险因素在非洲极为普遍，但该大陆对心血管疾病的了解和认识水平较低，对其危险因素的认知也较差。关于非洲人民的日常生活经历与非洲大陆心血管疾病及其危险因素的高患病率和低认知度之间的联系，相关研究甚少。本研究旨在深入了解非洲人民的日常生活经历，以及这些经历与心血管疾病及其危险因素的预防、控制和管理之间的联系。
在PubMed、CINAHL、EMBASE、Psych INFO和Web of Science数据库中进行系统检索，以识别已发表的关于心血管疾病及其危险因素的英文定性研究。定性元分析包括数据沉浸和质量评估、主题综合以及互译的结构化技术。
七项研究符合纳入标准。元分析确定了四个主要主题：1）对心血管疾病的理解和信念；2）心血管疾病的感知病因/危险因素；3）对肥胖的理解和信念；4）心血管疾病的感知治疗选择。元分析发现，非洲人在将心血管疾病视为致命的慢性疾病与他们对疾病早期最小体征和症状的认知之间存在持续脱节。传统治疗师与医疗保健专业人员之间的差距进一步加剧了这种情况。
对心血管疾病、其危险因素和治疗的认知受到宗教和文化因素的影响。鉴于该疾病早期出现的体征和症状较少，非洲人在将心血管疾病视为致命的慢性疾病方面一直存在脱节。需要进一步调查宗教和文化影响以及与这些脱节领域相关的教育项目，以提高非洲人民的知识、态度和信念。
