Population Knowledge and Perceived Risks on Heart Disease Among Cameroonians’ Adults in Yaounde

Abstract

Abstract Background Cardiovascular disease is a major leading cause of morbidity and mortality in sub-Saharan Africa and Cameroon. This burden is rooted by major modifiable and non-modifiable risk factors that have not been intensively investigated among these populations. This study aimed to determine the levels of knowledge and awareness of heart disease amongst adults within the capital city of Cameroon. Methods A community-based cross-sectional study was conducted by administering a semi-structured questionnaire among 468 Cameroonian aged 25–64 years. egression models were used to identify significant predictors of respondent’s knowledge and awareness, perceived risk and self-efficacy to heart disease. Results 38.5% (180 out of 468) of respondents had a good level of knowledge on heart disease. High blood pressure, stress, smoking, being overweight, lack of physical exercise, alcohol, family history of heart disease, high cholesterol and aging were identified as risk factors. Respondents were aware of heart disease 378(81%), reported having two or more risk factors 345(74%), perceived themselves at high risk to heart disease 339(72.4%) and had a high efficacy to reduce their risk of heart disease 397(86%). Male gender (OR 1.4: 1.01–2, p = 0.032), being aware of heart disease (OR 1.62: 1–2.5, p = 0.032), college education (OR 2.7: 1.5–6.2, p = 0.021), high perceived susceptibility (OR 1.7: 1.2–2.7, p = 0.018) and having no risk factors (OR 2.7: 1.3–5.6, p = 0.01) predicted good knowledge of heart disease. Conclusion Educational programs aiming at increasing the awareness and translating knowledge into effective actions among populations should be empowered and strengthened based on the influencing predictors.