Open AccessCARDIOVASCULAR HEALTH KNOWLEDGE OF PATIENT ATTENDANTS IN SOUTHERN OF IRAN, SHIRAZ
Author(s) -
Abdul Hameed Chohedri,
M. Mehrpooya Masjedi,
Mohammad Hossein Eghbal
Publication year - 2012
Publication title -
the professional medical journal/the professional medical journal
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
eISSN - 2071-7733
pISSN - 1024-8919
DOI - 10.29309/tpmj/2012.19.05.2399
Subject(s) - medicine , coronary artery disease , disease , risk factor , population , surgery , family medicine , physical therapy , environmental health
Background : Knowledge about coronary artery disease and it’s risk factors is a very important factor in prevention of ischemicheart disease. The aim of this study was to investigate knowledge of patient attendants about coronary artery disease and its risk factors insouthern of Iran; Shiraz. Design: Cross sectional study. Setting: Shiraz University of Medical Sciences. Materials and Methods: 800 patientattendants (persons accompanying patients) selected randomly and divided into two groups (study and control) each including 400 patientattendants. Face to face interview was done and knowledge was measured by correct answers to our standard questionnaire. Results: Themedian knowledge score was 6.89 for study group and was 2.82 for control group out of a possible maximum of 15. Majority of respondents instudy group could identify up to three risk factors for coronary artery disease, but in control group could identify only one risk factor. About 5.8%in study group and 37.5% in control group were not able to identify even a single risk factor for coronary artery disease. Conclusions:According to our results there is a big gap in knowledge about coronary artery disease and it’s risk factors in our population. It means that moreeducational programs are needed to prevent the increasing rate of coronary artery disease.