Perception of cardiovascular diseases among women attending primary health care centers in Erbil city, Iraq

Abstract

Background and objective: Worldwide, cardiovascular diseases remain the leading cause of death in both genders. Good knowledge about cardiovascular disease symptoms, risk factors, and protective measures can improve the public’s preventive practice and overall future health outcomes. This study aimed to assess women's awareness of cardiovascular diseases and preventive measures. Methods: A cross-sectional study was conducted in Erbil city, Iraq. The data were collected from 674 women aged 18 years and above, using convenience sampling method, who attended 12 primary health care centers in six municipalities in Erbil City. The study period was from the 1st of October 2019 to the end of February 2020. An interview questionnaire was used to collect the study data from the participants to assess the women's knowledge of cardiovascular diseases, their attitudes and challenges. Results: The mean age ± standard deviation of the women was 37.6 ± 13 years. Only 15.3% of women could recognize cardiovascular diseases as the number one leading cause of death. More than 90% of them had poor cardiovascular disease knowledge scores. Recognition of coronary artery disease symptoms, cardiovascular disease risk factors, and preventive measures was made by less than 50% of them. The multiple regression analysis showed that age, body mass index, socioeconomic status, employment, and educational level independently predicted cardiovascular disease knowledge. Conclusion: Awareness of cardiovascular diseases among women was poor. Thus, proper institutional foundations, mass media campaigns, other media, and community programs can prompt public discussion of health issues to change women’s health behavior and reduce future health consequences from cardiovascular diseases.

Keywords

• cardiovascular diseases
• perception
• primary health care
• erbil city