Abstract
BackgroundLittle is known about community knowledge of myocardial infarction symptoms and perceptions of self-risk in sub-Saharan Africa.MethodsA community survey was conducted in northern Tanzania, where the prevalence of cardiovascular risk factors is high. Households were selected randomly in a population-weighted fashion and surveys were administered to self-identified household healthcare decision-makers. Respondents were asked to list all symptoms of a heart attack and asked whether they thought they had a chance of suffering a heart attack. Associations between participant sociodemographic features and responses to these questions were assessed with Pearson's chi-squared and the Student t test.ResultsThere were 718 survey participants, with median (IQR) age 48 (32, 62) years. Of these, 115 (16.0%) were able to identify any conventional symptom of a heart attack, including 24 (3.3%) respondents who cited chest pain as a possible symptom. There was no association between ability to identify a conventional symptom and gender, level of education, socioeconomic status, urban residence, or age. Of respondents, 198 (27.6%) thought they had a chance of suffering a heart attack. Older respondents were more likely to perceive themselves to be at risk (P < .001), but there was no association between perception of self-risk and gender, level of education, socioeconomic status, or urban residence.ConclusionsIn northern Tanzania, knowledge of myocardial infarction symptoms is poor among all segments of the population and only a minority of residents perceive themselves to be at risk of this disease. Educational interventions regarding ischemic heart disease are urgently needed.
Highlights
Little is known about community knowledge of myocardial infarction symptoms and perceptions of self-risk in sub-Saharan Africa
In northern Tanzania, knowledge of myocardial infarction symptoms is poor among all segments of the population and only a minority of residents perceive themselves to be at risk of this disease
In sub-Saharan Africa (SSA), little is known about the burden of ischemic heart disease despite the recent sharp increase in risk factors for cardiovascular disease such as obesity, hypertension, and diabetes.[2,3]
Summary
A community survey was conducted in northern Tanzania, where the prevalence of cardiovascular risk factors is high. Households were selected randomly in a population-weighted fashion and surveys were administered to self-identified household healthcare decision-makers. Participant selection Within the study area, 60 sub-districts were selected randomly in a population-weighted fashion, with proportionate selection of urban and rural settings. Twelve points were randomly generated within each selected sub-district using Quantum Geographic Information System (QGIS, v2.18.7). The closest home to each selected point was approached for inclusion in the study. If no eligible respondent was available to participate in the survey, the nearest dwelling was approached. Self-identified healthcare decision makers for the household were eligible to participate in the survey.
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