Generic Portal

TY - JOUR

T1 - Lay knowledge of cardiovascular disease and risk factors in three communities in Accra, Ghana

T2 - A cross-sectional survey

AU - Sanuade, Olutobi Adekunle

AU - Kushitor, Mawuli Komla

AU - Awuah, Raphael Baffour

AU - Asante, Paapa Yaw

AU - Agyemang, Charles

AU - de-Graft Aikins, Ama

N1 - Funding Information: Contributors OAS and AdGA conceptualised the study. MKK drafted the background section. OAS analysed the data. OAS and CA drafted the results, discussion and conclusion sections. RBA and PYA assisted with data analysis and draft of results. AdGA led and supervised the interpretation of the data and writing of the manuscript. All authors read and approved the final manuscript. OAS and AdGA are responsible for the overall content as the guarantors. Funding Funding for the Urban Health and Poverty project, the data source of this study, was provided by the William and Flora Hewlett Foundation (Grant recipient: Professor Francis Nii Amoo Dodoo; Grant number: 2010-5305), the International Development Research Centre (IDRC) (Grant recipient: Professor Samuel Nii Ardey Codjoe; Grant number: 106548-001), and University of Ghana Office of Research, Innovation and Development (Grant recipient: Professor Ama de-Graft Aikins; Grant number: LMG-005-FSS). Publisher Copyright: ©

PY - 2021/12/1

Y1 - 2021/12/1

N2 - Objectives Cardiovascular disease is a major cause of morbidity and mortality in Ghana, and urban poor communities are disproportionately affected. Research has shown that knowledge of cardiovascular disease (CVD) is the first step to risk reduction. This study examines knowledge of CVD and risk factors and determinants of CVD knowledge in three urban poor communities in Accra, Ghana. Methods Using the Cardiovascular Disease Risk Factors Knowledge Level Scale, which has been validated in Ghana, we conducted a cross-sectional survey with 775 respondents aged 15-59 years. CVD knowledge was computed as a continuous variable based on correct answers to 27 questions, and each correct response was assigned one point. Linear regression was used to determine the factors associated with CVD knowledge. Results The mean age of the participants was 30.3±10.8 years and the mean knowledge score was 19.3±4.8. About one-fifth of participants were living with chronic diseases. Overall, 71.1% had good CVD knowledge, and 28.9% had moderate or poor CVD knowledge. CVD knowledge was low in the symptoms and risk factor domains. A larger proportion received CVD knowledge from radio and television. The determinants of CVD knowledge included ethnicity, alcohol consumption, self-reported health and sources of CVD knowledge. CVD knowledge was highest among a minority Akan ethnic group, those who were current alcohol consumers and those who rated their health as very good/excellent, compared with their respective counterparts. CVD knowledge was significantly lower among those who received information from health workers and multiple sources. Conclusion This study underscores the need for health education programmes to promote practical knowledge on CVD symptoms, risks and treatment. We outline health systems and community-level barriers to good CVD knowledge and discuss the implications for developing context-specific and culturally congruent CVD primary prevention interventions.

AB - Objectives Cardiovascular disease is a major cause of morbidity and mortality in Ghana, and urban poor communities are disproportionately affected. Research has shown that knowledge of cardiovascular disease (CVD) is the first step to risk reduction. This study examines knowledge of CVD and risk factors and determinants of CVD knowledge in three urban poor communities in Accra, Ghana. Methods Using the Cardiovascular Disease Risk Factors Knowledge Level Scale, which has been validated in Ghana, we conducted a cross-sectional survey with 775 respondents aged 15-59 years. CVD knowledge was computed as a continuous variable based on correct answers to 27 questions, and each correct response was assigned one point. Linear regression was used to determine the factors associated with CVD knowledge. Results The mean age of the participants was 30.3±10.8 years and the mean knowledge score was 19.3±4.8. About one-fifth of participants were living with chronic diseases. Overall, 71.1% had good CVD knowledge, and 28.9% had moderate or poor CVD knowledge. CVD knowledge was low in the symptoms and risk factor domains. A larger proportion received CVD knowledge from radio and television. The determinants of CVD knowledge included ethnicity, alcohol consumption, self-reported health and sources of CVD knowledge. CVD knowledge was highest among a minority Akan ethnic group, those who were current alcohol consumers and those who rated their health as very good/excellent, compared with their respective counterparts. CVD knowledge was significantly lower among those who received information from health workers and multiple sources. Conclusion This study underscores the need for health education programmes to promote practical knowledge on CVD symptoms, risks and treatment. We outline health systems and community-level barriers to good CVD knowledge and discuss the implications for developing context-specific and culturally congruent CVD primary prevention interventions.

KW - cardiology

KW - epidemiology

KW - public health

UR - http://www.scopus.com/inward/record.url?scp=85122430659&partnerID=8YFLogxK

U2 - 10.1136/bmjopen-2021-049451

DO - 10.1136/bmjopen-2021-049451

M3 - Article

C2 - 34907046

VL - 11

JO - BMJ open

JF - BMJ open

SN - 2044-6055

IS - 12

ER -