Factors Associated With the General Public Knowledge and Awareness of Cardiovascular Diseases and its Risk Factors in Penang – Malaysia

Abstract

Background: Cardiovascular diseases(CVDs) are the top of the ten causes of hospital deaths in Malaysia. Increasing knowledge and awareness on CVDs and its risk factors is crucial for the prevention of CVDs. Identification of factors which are associated with the knowledge and awareness is important for the proper design of future awareness programs. Objectives: This study was carried out to find out factors which are associated with the current knowledge and awareness of cardiovascular diseases (CVDs) and its risk factors among the general public in PenangMalaysia. Method: Four hundred and fifty-six (456) from the general public participated in the study by filling a structured questionnaire offered in three languages, English, Malay and Chinese. The knowledge and the awareness scores were computed as continuous variables then simple liner regression (SLR) followed by general linear regression (GLR) were used to find factors associated with the levels of knowledge and awareness. Findings: The GLR final model revealed that the knowledge and awareness of CVDs and its risk factors was associated with the level of education, the previous attendance of health campaign on CVDs and having any CVDs or family history of CVDs. Conclusion: The study provides insights into factors associated with the knowledge and awareness of CVDs and its risk factors among the general public. Tailored awareness programs are required to address specific demographic groups of the general public.