Awareness About Risk Factors, Signs and Symptoms of Cardiovascular Diseases and the Perceived Level of Physical Activity along with Sedentary Behaviour in Young Adults of Pune Region: A Questionnaire Based Study

Abstract

Background: Cardiovascular diseases (CVDs) are the leading cause of death globally. Young adults are more inclined towards unhealthy lifestyle habits, in turn leading to increased risk of developing CVDs. Identifying the level of awareness about CVDs risk factors and signs and symptoms along with their physical activity and sedentary behaviour will help in creating awareness which in turn might help in reduction of the modifiable CVD risk factors. Objective: To assess awareness and knowledge about risk factors, signs and symptoms of CVDs in young adults of Pune region along with evaluating their perceived level of physical activity and sedentary behaviour. Method: A questionnaire was designed to address all the components. Face validation of the questionnaire was done. Participants were explained in detail about the study purpose and the procedure; post their informed consent questionnaire was administered on an interview basis. Responses analysed using SPSS software and represented as descriptive statistics. Result: Total 115 participants were included in the study, with the mean age 21.94±2.26 years. 68 % of the study participants denied gender predisposition and 12% of participants were not sure about it as a risk factor.69% of the participants had 3-5; whereas 31% had 1-2 modifiable risk factors. Sedentary behaviour was the most prevalent risk factor present in 96.5% of the study participants, followed by physical inactivity in 65.2% of participants. None of the participants met WHO guidelines of healthy diet for adults.55% of the participants perceived to have fair level of awareness. Only 11.30% of the participants perceived to have good level of physical activity. However, 65% of the participants were physically inactive. Sedentary behaviour was found to be 10.8±2.86 hour on a typical day. Conclusion: In our study, participants had good knowledge and awareness about the risk factors and signs and symptoms of cardiovascular diseases except for few factors. Majority of participants perceived that they have fair levels of physical activity but more than half of the study participants failed to meet recommended criteria. Majority of our study participants already possessed three to five modifiable risk factors with unhealthy diet, sedentary behaviour and physical inactivity being at top of the list. They are also engaged in high sedentary behaviour. KEY WORDS: Non communicable diseases, Cardiovascular diseases, Physical activity, Risk factors, Signs and symptoms, Sedentary behaviour, Awareness, Knowledge, Perceived levels.