The Prevalence and Public Knowledge, Attitude, and Practice towards Cardiovascular Diseases Risk Factors in Jimma Town, South West Ethiopia

Abstract

Abstract Objectives: Knowledge, attitude, and practice gaps of cardiovascular disease risk factors are significant obstacles to prevention and care. This study assessed the magnitude of cardiovascular diseases’ risk factors and public knowledge, attitude, and practice towards it in Jimma town, southwest Ethiopia. Methods: A Community based cross-sectional study was conducted in Jimma town southwest Ethiopia, from November 1 to 28, 2021. A multi-stage sampling technique was utilized to get a total sample size of 332. All Jimma town individuals of age 18 years or above who fulfilled inclusion criteria were included. The data were collected using an interviewer-administered structured questionnaire. Data entry was done by Epidata, version 3.2 software and analysed with SPSS, version 26. Results: About 56.4% of the participants had good knowledge of cardiovascular disease risk factors. They had a poor attitude toward cardiovascular disease risk factors. About 70.2% didn’t do moderate intensity and 85.2% didn’t do vigorous-intensity exercise. Only 2.4% and 8.7% of the participants had consumed vegetables and fruits daily respectively. About 17.8% drank alcohol, 19.9% chewed khat and 11.4 % were either active or second-hand smokers. Only 22.3% had normal blood pressure. About 55% of females and 39.9% of males had central obesity. The average measured cardiovascular disease risk was 1.44±1.19 which 6.1 % of them had a family history of cardiovascular disease. Conclusion & Recommendations: The knowledge, attitude, and practice of this population toward cardiovascular disease risk factors were low. We recommend that the local health bureau, the Ministry of Health, and other stakeholders should find a way to increase the knowledge, attitude, and practice of this population, through media campaigns, promotions &others.