Evaluation of Patients' Knowledge Regarding Chronic Non-Communicable Diseases

Abstract

Introduction: WHO reported that Non-Communicable Diseases (NCDs) are the major cause of early deaths worldwide and remain one of the major health challenges globally public health threats. Understanding the risk for NCD is important to adopting a healthy lifestyle which can have a positive influence in the reduction of NCD. Primary Health Care physicians and nurses in the family play an important role in identifying, diagnosing, and preventing NCD in the family and community.Objectives: this study aims to evaluate the individual’s perception, knowledge regarding NCD, and intentions to change their lifestyle in primary health care.Methods: Our study is cross-sectional and has been conducted in the primary health care center Tirana, Albania from January - May 2023. The total number of participants was 360 (over 25 years old). Data were collected using a self-administered questionnaire on demographic characteristics, information about the perception, and knowledge of NCD, the role of health care, and intentions to change lifestyle. We performed the statistical analysis through the IBM® SPSS® Statistics software.Results: The results showed that (n= 302)83.9% of participants are from Tirana, (n= 194) 53.9% of them are male and the majority of them (n=106)29.4% are 35-44 years old. Regarding the education level, (n= 200)55.6% have studied secondary school and (= 100)27.8% high school, nearly (n=285)79.2% are employed. An association between employment status with the perception of NCD was shown, older ages, employed people, higher education level and women have better levels of knowledge about NCD p< 0.05.Conclusions: This study informs about that the patient's knowledge about NCD was low but physician and family nursing have important roles in informing individuals and families of risk factors in NCD. People informed can lead to individual sensibilization for NCD, reduce the incidence, and grow patient satisfaction.