Alghamdi Ali S, Alzahrani Muhanad S, Alsolami Basel M, Thabet Salman A, Alghamdi Basel S, Kinsara Abdulhalim J
Internal Medicine, College of Medicine-Western Region, King Abdullah International Medical Research Center, King Saud Bin Abdulaziz University for Health Sciences, Ministry of National Guard Health Affairs, Jeddah, SAU.
Internal Medicine, College of Medicine-Western Region, King Saud Bin Abdulaziz University for Health Sciences, Jeddah, SAU.
Cureus. 2021 Jun 16;13(6):e15681. doi: 10.7759/cureus.15681. eCollection 2021 Jun.
Objective The disease outcome had been shown to improve with improving patient knowledge. The study had two objectives, firstly to assess the level of knowledge about cardiovascular diseases (CVDs) in the general population, and secondly, to provide written educational material regarding the risk factors, major symptoms, and the prevention of CVDs. Method The target population was the residents living in the Western region of Saudi Arabia, aged 18 years and above. All were invited to participate voluntarily. A pre-structured questionnaire was designed to collect data related to age, gender, marital status, education level, occupation, lifestyle habits, and a history of heart diseases, as well as cardiac symptoms, and risk factors. The educational material was provided after the questionnaire. Results The majority of the participants were female (74.8%). The risk factors most frequently identified were lack of exercise, stress, and obesity. Chest pain was recognized as a major symptom (87.6%). Other symptoms included dyspnea, syncope, and excessive sweating. The level of knowledge regarding the risk factors for cardiovascular disease was poor. Only 18.5% were knowledgeable about the risk factors. The majority (60%) could identify the preventable factors, including smoking cessation (92.2%), a high level of cholesterol (88.6%), and hypertension (78.7%). The majority (83.7%) read the educational material and 99% reported that the lecture increased their knowledge about cardiovascular disease. Conclusion Although cardiovascular risk factors are common, there is a big gap in the knowledge in our population. Further, alarming symptoms that bring the patients to medical care are also deficient. A call for action at different levels is urgent. Simple educational material in a basic language and virtual education are useful and cheap tools that must be practiced wherever possible. Education is welcomed by the participants.
目的 研究表明，随着患者知识水平的提高，疾病预后会得到改善。本研究有两个目的，一是评估普通人群对心血管疾病（CVDs）的知识水平，二是提供有关心血管疾病危险因素、主要症状及预防的书面教育材料。方法 目标人群为居住在沙特阿拉伯西部地区、年龄在18岁及以上的居民。所有人均被邀请自愿参与。设计了一份预先构建的问卷，以收集与年龄、性别、婚姻状况、教育水平、职业、生活方式习惯、心脏病史、心脏症状及危险因素相关的数据。问卷完成后提供教育材料。结果 大多数参与者为女性（74.8%）。最常被识别出的危险因素是缺乏运动、压力和肥胖。胸痛被认为是主要症状（87.6%）。其他症状包括呼吸困难、晕厥和多汗。关于心血管疾病危险因素的知识水平较差。只有18.5%的人了解危险因素。大多数人（60%）能够识别可预防因素，包括戒烟（92.2%）、高胆固醇水平（88.6%）和高血压（78.7%）。大多数人（83.7%）阅读了教育材料，99%的人报告称讲座增加了他们对心血管疾病的了解。结论 尽管心血管危险因素很常见，但我们人群中的知识存在很大差距。此外，促使患者就医的警示症状也不足。迫切需要在不同层面采取行动。用基础语言编写的简单教育材料和虚拟教育是有用且廉价的工具，应尽可能加以应用。参与者对教育表示欢迎。
