Heart Disease Knowledge Questionnaire Research Articles

Abstract P363: The Influence of Social Support on Heart Disease Risk Factor Knowledge in Texas African American Women

Introduction: Heart disease disproportionately impacts African American (AA) women nationwide and in Texas. Heart disease disparities stem from risk factors related to limited heart disease risk factor knowledge and socioeconomic resources. Social support mitigates chronic disease risk, yet this is the first study to examine the relationship between perceived social support and heart disease risk within this population. The study aimed to (1) examine how perceived social support impacts heart disease risk factor knowledge among AA women and (2) examine whether demographic characteristics moderate a relationship between perceived social support and heart disease knowledge. Hypothesis: We hypothesize that social support moderates heart disease risk factor knowledge in AA women in Texas based on demographic variables. Methods: This was a quantitative study with purposeful, snowball sampling representative of AA women aged 30-55 in Texas (n = 121). The participants completed a survey comprised of demographic questions, the Heart Disease Knowledge Questionnaire, and the Multidimensional Scale for Perceived Social Support. Results: Approximately half the participants displayed heart disease knowledge deficiencies. Multiple regression analysis revealed that when demographic variables were controlled, age (standardized β= .28, p = .002) and income (standardized β= .19, p = .037) were the only predictor variables indicating that social support impacts heart disease knowledge, with nonsignificant differences in the regression model (standardized β = -.023, p = .80). Hierarchical multiple regression revealed that age (F change = 1.056, R square change = .008, and p = .306), education (F (3, 115) = .583, p = .627), family history (F (2, 116) = 1.51, p = .225), and income (F change = 1.006, R2 change = .008, and p = .318) as individual predictors yielded nonsignificant differences in the overall predictive model, indicating that demographic variables did not moderate a relationship between social support and heart disease knowledge. Conclusion: Overall, the study revealed a need to implement public health education programs to increase heart health knowledge through interventions that combine education and social support among AA women to influence health behavior change and reduce heart health disparities.

Prevalence and knowledge of modifiable cardiovascular diseases risk factors among vulnerable population in Central Tanzania

BackgroundCardiovascular diseases (CVDs) are the global public health problem which has been associated with increasing prevalence of modifiable CVDs risk factors. This study aimed to describe the prevalence and knowledge of modifiable CVDs risk factors among vulnerable population of Central Tanzania.MethodsA community-based cross-sectional study design was employed. A total of 749 participants were interviewed. The socio-demographic information and modifiable CVDs risk factors (behavioral and biological) were measured using a modified World Health Organization (WHO) STEPwise approach for chronic disease risk factor surveillance. Knowledge of modifiable CVDs risk factors was measured by comprehensive heart disease knowledge questionnaire. Descriptive statistics were used to describe the knowledge and prevalence of modifiable CVDs risk factors. Logistic regression analysis was used to determine the factors associated with adequate knowledge of CVDs risk factors.ResultsThe prevalence of béhavioral risk factors were; current smokers and alcohol consumers were 4.4% and 18.0% respectively, use of raw salt was 43.7%, consumption of fruit/vegetables < 5 days per week was 56.9%. The prevalence of Biological CVDs risk factors was as follows: Overall, 63.5% (33.3% overweight and 29.9% obese) were overweight or obese, 4.5% were diabetic and 43.4% were hypertensive. Only 35.4% of participants had adequate knowledge of CVDs risk factors. Being a male (AOR = 1.44, 95%CI = 1.01–2.06, p < .05), having primary education (AOR = 6.43, 95%CI = 2.39–17.36, p < .0001), being employed (AOR = 1.59, 95%CI = 1.00-2.52, p < .05), ever checked blood pressure (AOR = 0.59, 95%CI = 0.42–0.84, p < .001), family history of hypertension (AOR = 0.38, 95%CI = 0.25–0.57, p < .0001) determined adequate knowledge of CVDs risk factors.ConclusionsThis study has revealed a high prevalence of modifiable CVDs risk factors and low knowledge of CVDs risk factors. Community health promotion interventions to increase population knowledge of CVDs risk factors are recommended for the efficacious reduction of CVDs in the country.

Heart Disease Knowledge Questionnaire: Psychometric Properties in Brazilian Adults

ABSTRACT Background The assessment of knowledge about cardiovascular diseases through instruments helps to identify gaps and educational needs of the target audience. Purpose To validate and verify the psychometric properties of the Brazilian version of the Heart Disease Knowledge Questionnaire (HDKQ-BR) for adults in Brazil. Methods Cross-sectional methodological study carried out in a Brazilian city with 300 participants. Internal consistency, temporal stability (test-retest) and convergent structural validity were verified. Item Response Theory (IRT) was used to determine parameters a (discrimination) and b (difficulty) of each item and the unidimensionality of the instrument and the differential item functioning (DIF) for sex, education and age. Results The internal consistency of the HDKQ-BR was 0.694. The test-retest reliability was confirmed by the intraclass correlation coefficient (ICC = 0.779). According to the IRT, parameter a was between 0.176 and 1.175 and parameter b between −10.834 and 4.969. Discussion The HDKQ-BR showed unidimensional structure and adequate psychometric performance for its application in populations with the same profile in Brazil. Translation to Health Education Practice To assess the knowledge of an adult population about CVDs is important for improving the health literacy. The study focused on Area I of Responsibilities for Health Education Specialists (Assessment of Needs and Capacity).

Video or text? Education through a social media website in hypertension

BackgroundCurrently, several studies are available on the effective use of the Instagram social media platform to conduct training projects for CVD patients. The aim of this study was to determine the most effective methods (text or video) of informing people about the primary prevention of hypertension using a social media website. Materials and methodsA total of 125 participants were randomly selected and assigned to one of the four training groups depending on the training mode, i.e. text posts (4000 characters) - Group 1, video clips (5 min) - Group 2, text followed by video - Group 3 and video followed by text - Group 4. Before and after training, respondents in all four groups completed the Heart Disease Knowledge Questionnaire (HDKQ). ResultsThe total number of people who listened to and read the materials of the online school was 2108 people. Before training, the number of correct responses for 29 HDKQ statements was 18.4 ± 5.1, after training it increased to 21.9 ± 3.9 (CI, 21; 22.7) (p < 0.0001). The post-hoc analysis showed that after training the participants in Group 4 had more correct responses than the respondents in Group 3, 2, 1 i.e. Δ = 5.2, Δ = 1.5, Δ = 0.3, respectively. The respondents from Group 3 gave the lowest number of correct responses in other groups. ConclusionsThe most effective method of informing people about the primary prevention of hypertension using a social media website corresponded to the following sequence: a video clip followed by a text post.

Improving primary prevention of hypertension using a social networking site

Abstract Purpose To determine the most effective methods of informing people about the primary prevention of hypertension using a social networking site. Materials and methods It was a randomized, prospective, two-stage study conducted on a social networking site (i.e., the Instagram platform). At Stage 1 online school was announced, and 945 applicants were registered for the training. The online training programme had the following modes: risk factors for cardiovascular diseases, diet, cholesterol, physical activity, obesity, smoking, hypertension and myocardial infarction. At Stage 2 a total of 125 participants were randomly selected and assigned into one of the four training groups where medical training materials were represented by texts of up to 4,000 characters (n=31), short video clips of up to 5 minutes (n=31), by text publications followed by video clips (n=33) and by video clips followed by text publications (n=30) in the 1st, 2nd, 3rd and 4th accounts, respectively. Before and after training participants in all the four groups completed the Heart Disease Knowledge Questionnaire (HDKQ). The study was approved by the Ethics Committee. Results The total number of people who listened to and read the materials of the online school was 2,108 people; the overall engagement was 1,598 people. The average percentage viewed was 22%. The online school audience was mostly female (84%), with a mean age of 45.9±12.3 years.The mean duration of hypertension was 6.1±7.6 years. Before training the number of correct responses for 29 HDKQ statements was 18.4±5.1 (CI, 17.5; 19.4), with no significant differences between the groups. After training the number of correct responses increased to 21.9±3.9 (CI, 21; 22.7) (P(ANOVA) &amp;lt;0.0001).The post-hoc analysis showed that after training the respondents from Group 3 gave the lowest number of correct responses compared to Groups 1 and 2, i.e. Δ=4.9 (CI, −7.8; 2.0) and Δ=3.7 (CI, −6.5; −0.8), respectively. Participants from Group 4 had more correct responses than the respondents in Group 3, i.e. Δ=5.2 (CI, 2.2; 8.1). The regression analysis showed that the post-training number of correct responses in Group 4 increased on average by 3.9 compared to Group 3 (β=3.94, P=0.04 (CI, 0.21; 7.66). In the study there was a significant association between the duration of hypertension and the number of correct responses both before and after training (β=0.20, P=0.007 (CI, 0.06; 0.34) and β=0.16, P=0.005 (CI, 0.05; 0.27), respectively). Conclusions In all the 4 groups there was a tendency to increase in the number of correct responses after training, but among the training modes the most effective method of informing people about the primary prevention of hypertension using a social networking site corresponded to the following sequence: a video clip of up to 5 minutes followed by a text publication of up to 4,000 characters. The results of this study can be used in planning online training programmes for the primary prevention of hypertension. Funding Acknowledgement Type of funding sources: None.

Effects of WeChat follow-up management of infants who underwent ventricular septal defect repair on parents' disease knowledge and quality of life: A prospective randomized controlled study.

To investigate the effect of WeChat follow-up management of infants who underwent ventricular septal defect (VSD) repair on parents' disease knowledge and quality of life. Participants were randomly assigned to an intervention group (n = 40) or a control group (n = 40). The intervention group was followed up with WeChat, while the control group was followed up using a traditional method. The disease knowledge, mental state, and quality of life of the two groups of parents were analyzed and compared. During the 3-month follow-up period, the PedSQL (PedsQL family impact module) results showed that the overall score in the intervention group was significantly higher than that in the control group. The parents in the intervention group were better at managing "emotion control," "worry," and "family communication" than those in the control group. The results of the LKQCHD (Leuven congenital heart disease knowledge questionnaire) showed that the parents in the intervention group had a higher mastery of "basic knowledge and treatment of congenital heart disease," "related complications," and "postoperative rehabilitation" than those in the control group. Knowledge education and psychological counseling for parents of children who underwent VSD repair through WeChat follow-up management can effectively improve parents' knowledge, relieve their anxiety and sadness, and improve their quality of life.

Abstract 14833: The Association Between Cardiovascular Disease Knowledge and Risk Factors Among African American Breast Cancer Survivors in the Deep South

Introduction: African American breast cancer survivors in the Deep South have a disproportionately high burden of cardiovascular disease (CVD) mortality. This is due, in large part, to multiple potentially modifiable CVD risk factors that are disproportionately high in this group, such as high blood pressure, obesity, and poor dietary habits. The purpose of this study was to assess the association between CVD risk factors and heart disease knowledge among African American breast cancer survivors in the Deep South. Hypothesis: We hypothesize that the key CVD risk factors (smoking, BMI, physical activity, healthy diet, total cholesterol, blood pressure, and blood sugar) will be positively associated with heart disease knowledge score. Methods: The Heart Disease Knowledge Questionnaire was used to assess the participants’ knowledge of heart disease and heart disease risk factors. Questions from My Life Check were used to assess the participants CVD risk factors. Multivariate regression analyses were performed to determine which CVD risk factors and demographic characteristics can predict the participants’ heart disease knowledge score. Results: Seventy African American breast cancer survivors living in the Deep South enrolled in the study. A research team member administered the questionnaires over the phone. The mean age of the participants was 56.76 years (± 10.36) and 42.9% had a college degree or higher level of education. Results of a multivariate regression analysis showed that the number of healthy diet score components was the only cardiovascular health metric that was statistically significantly associated with heart disease knowledge score (p = .01). Education level was the only demographic characteristic that was statistically significantly associated with heart disease knowledge score (p = .004). Conclusions: Our results indicate that women with more knowledge of heart disease and higher levels of education are more likely to have better cardiovascular health metrics. Our findings underscore the need to disseminate and implement health education interventions aimed at increasing knowledge of modifiable CVD risk factors that are targeted towards African American breast cancer survivors in the Deep South.

Analysis on the influencing factors of knowledge acquisition in patients with coronary heart disease after receiving iPad video health education

Objective To explore the influence of relevant factors of patients on the degree of disease knowledge after using mobile iPad for health education of coronary heart disease inpatients, so as to provide more effective health education for coronary heart disease inpatients with different population characteristics. Methods A total of 97 adult CHD patients were randomly admitted to the first ward (control group) and the second ward (observation group) of the department of cardiology.The routine health education methods and contents of the two groups of patients were the same. The control group was given paper health education materials, and the observation group made the health education contents into iPad video playlists for the patients to choose and learn by themselves.When the patients were discharged from the hospital, the coronary heart disease knowledge questionnaire (PKS-CHD) was used to evaluate the patients' cognition level of the disease, and the knowledge mastery degree of the patients in the two groups was compared and analyzed to explore the self-related factors influencing the knowledge mastery degree of the patients in the observation group. Results The knowledge score of CHD in the observation group was higher than that in the control group, and the difference was statistically significant(P<0.05). In the observation group, the degree of education and the classification of cardiac function were the main factors influencing the degree of knowledge mastery of patients. The higher the degree of education, the higher the degree of knowledge mastery of patients with higher cardiac function classification. Conclusions Compared with paper health education materials, iPad health education is more helpful to improve the mastery of disease knowledge of patients with coronary heart disease. Patients with higher education level and higher heart function classification have better acceptance of iPad health education. Key words: Coronary heart disease; Health education

Heart Knowledge and Risk Perception Profile in Substance Misusers: Partitioning Risky Samples and Determining Correlates: A Cross-Sectional Study

Objectives: The current study aims to perform a cluster analysis on heart knowledge and risk perception of substance misusers and their correlates. Methods: In this cross-sectional study, 156 participants (96.2% male, 18 - 65 years old with M ± SD = 39.0 ± 11.9) were selected using stratified random sampling. Heart disease knowledge questionnaire (HDKQ) and perception of risk of heart disease scale (PRHDS) were the data gathering tools. The findings were analyzed using two-step cluster analysis and multinomial logistic regression analysis. Results: This model suggested three clusters: (i) moderate knowledge with good risk perception (32.7%), (ii) moderate knowledge with poor-risk perception (44.9%), and (iii) poor knowledge with low cardiac risk perception (22.4%). Single individuals (P = 0.044, P = 0.014) and participants without a family history of hypertension (P = 0.045) show lower heart knowledge and risk perception. This model was able to accurately predict 20.3% to 39.8% of the variance in the criterion variable. Conclusions: Cluster analyses can appropriately partition substance misusers based on their level of heart knowledge and cardiac risk perception. The identified vulnerable groups are affected by a number of demographics and family histories of chronic diseases. The results of the current study provide useful insights for family physicians and cardiovascular health professionals.

Knowledge of Heart Disease and Indices of Physical Activity in Health and Non-Health Based Majors

Cardiovascular disease (CVD) is the leading cause of mortality and is associated with modifiable lifestyle factors, such as physical activity (PA). Research has examined CVD knowledge (CVDK) and PA level in undergraduate students; however, no research has examined the relationship between CVDK and PA in this group. PURPOSE: To examine differences in CVDK and indices of PA between sex and major (health (HB) or non-health (NHB) based) and potential associations between CVDK and PA. METHODS: Students (N=241) completed an online survey including the 30-item Heart Disease Knowledge Questionnaire and 7-item International Physical Activity Questionnaire. Twenty-four outliers were removed prior to statistical analyses (n=217; 21.1±2.7 yrs; 145 females, 141 HB majors). Independent samples t-tests were conducted to test for differences in total (TK), dietary (DK), epidemiological (EK), medical (MK), risk factor (RFK), and symptom (SK) knowledge, as well as weekly frequency and duration of moderate PA (MPA), vigorous PA (VPA), and total MET-min/week of MVPA between sex and major. Alpha was adjusted for multiple comparisons. Pearson’s r was used to test for linear associations between TK and PA indices. RESULTS: Sixty-seven percent of students met recommended PA guidelines with a minimum of 500 MET-min/week of MVPA. Females had greater RFK than males (4.6±1.6 vs. 4.0±1.6, p=0.006). HB majors had significantly higher TK (18.4±5.0 vs. 15.3±5.3, p<0.001), DK (3.7±1.7 vs. 3.1±1.9, p=0.007), EK (2.8±1.1 vs. 2.4±1.2, p=0.006), MK (4.4±1.5 vs. 3.3±1.4, p<0.001), and RFK (4.6±1.6 vs. 3.9±1.5, p=0.002) than NHB majors. There were no significant differences in SK between majors (p>0.05). Males reported significantly higher levels of MVPA than females (2300.7±2377.7 vs. 1441.9±1348.6 MET-min/week, p<0.01). There were no associations between TK and any PA index (p>0.05). CONCLUSION: HB majors had greater knowledge than NHB majors in all areas except SK; however, there were no differences in PA levels between majors. This suggests that CVDK may not translate to increased PA levels in undergraduates. Future research should investigate relationships between CVDK and risk reduction behaviors in this population.

Correlation of Heart Knowledge and Cardiac Risk Factors with Readiness for Lifestyle Modification in Companions of Patients with Cardiovascular Diseases in the West of Iran

Background: Unhealthy lifestyle and lack of readiness to modify are some of the most important factors in the development of chronic diseases such as cardiovascular diseases (CVDs). Objectives: To investigate the correlation of heart knowledge, perceived heart risk factors (PHRFs), and risk perception of heart disease with readiness for lifestyle modification in companions of patients with cardiovascular diseases. Methods: In this cross-sectional study, 200 companions of patients with CVDs at Imam Ali Hospital in Kermanshah city were selected by convenience sampling. The data were collected using the heart disease knowledge questionnaire (HDKQ), perception of risk of heart disease scale (PRHDS), perceived heart risk factor scale (PHRFS), and readiness for lifestyle modification questionnaire. Data were analyzed using the Pearson correlation coefficient and linear regression analyses. Results: The participants had a moderate level of readiness for lifestyle modification, PHRFs, and risk perception; while the level of participants’ heart knowledge was weak. Moreover, there was a significant relationship between heart knowledge and readiness for lifestyle modification (P = 0.001); however, there was no significant relationship between the risk perception (P = 0.404) and PHRFs (P = 0.073) with readiness for lifestyle modification. Conclusions: The companions of the patients with CVDs have a moderate level of readiness for lifestyle modification. Considering the existence of a significant relationship between readiness for lifestyle modification and heart knowledge, it can be concluded that a higher level of heart knowledge can play an important role in the increased readiness for lifestyle modification by the family members of the patients with CVDs.

Effects of self efficacy and coronary heart disease knowledge on health literacy of young and middle-aged patients with coronary heart disease

Objective To investigate the effect of self efficacy and coronary heart disease knowledge on health literacy of young and middle-aged patients with coronary heart disease. Methods Investigation was conducted among 500 patients using general questionnaire, chronic health literacy scale, self-efficacy scale and coronary heart disease knowledge questionnaire. Results The score of health literacy for young and middle-aged patients was (97.76±15.45), and 57% of the patients had good health literacy.Self-efficacy and coronary heart disease knowledge were positively correlated with health literacy(r=0.301, r=0.309; P<0.05). Multiple regression analysis showed that self-efficacy(β=0.210), coronary heart disease knowledge (β=0.226) were significant factors of health literacy(both P<0.01). Conclusion The self-efficacy and coronary heart disease knowledge have impact on the health literacy.The more self-efficacy and coronary heart disease knowledge, the higher health literacy. Key words: Coronary heart disease; Health literacy; Self-efficacy; Coronary heart disease knowledge

Health Behavior Regarding Cardiovascular Diseases Among Nepali Adults.

The main aim was to assess Nepali adults' knowledge, health beliefs, and health promoting behaviors regarding cardiovascular diseases (CVDs). A descriptive, cross sectional study was conducted in five wards of Lalitpur Sub-Metropolitan City. A random sample of 300 Nepali individuals aged 20-65 years completed the heart disease knowledge questionnaire and health beliefs related to cardiovascular diseases. The health belief model related to CVDs was used. Sociodemographic and personal information was collected. Of the adults 45.3% were aged 20-40 years, and 50.7% were male. The male participants smoked and consumed alcohol more than the female participants (p < 0.05). The mean score on the heart disease knowledge questionnaire was 11.8 ± 4.6. Adults between 20 and 40 years age, non smokers, and daily exercisers had greater knowledge on CVDs. The mean score on the four subscales of the health beliefs related to cardiovascular disease scale were as follows: perceived susceptibility (11.5 ± 2.5), perceived severity (12.1 ± 3.5), perceived benefits (20.1 ± 2.9) and perceived barriers (19.4 ± 3.3). Adults performing health promoting activities had better knowledge and greater perceived susceptibility. A simple regression showed knowledge and education were predictors of health promoting activities. Adults who were performing more than two activities for health promotion had better knowledge of CVDs and perceived more susceptibility. Identifying the health needs, understanding cultural beliefs and misconceptions, and adopting health-promoting actions might help to improve the health behavior of Nepali adults.

Dimensions of Deaf/Hard-of-Hearing and Hearing Adolescents’ Health Literacy and Health Knowledge

Deaf and hard-of-hearing (D/HH) adults have lower health literacy compared to hearing adults, but it is unclear whether this disparity also occurs in adolescence. We used the Health Literacy Skills Instrument–Short Form (HLSI-SF), Short Form of the Test of Functional Health Literacy in Adults (S-TOFHLA), Comprehensive Heart Disease Knowledge Questionnaire (CHDKQ), and newly constructed interactive and critical health literacy survey items to quantify D/HH and hearing adolescents’ health literacy. We adapted and translated survey materials into sign language and spoken English to reduce testing bias due to variable English language skills. Participants were 187 D/HH and 94 hearing college-bound high school students. When we adjusted for age, gender, race/ethnicity, school grade, and socioeconomic status, D/HH adolescents demonstrated weaker general and functional health literacy and cardiovascular health knowledge than hearing adolescents on the HLSI, S-TOFHLA, and CHDKQ (all ps < .0001). Standard health literacy or knowledge scores were associated with several interactive and critical health literacy skills (all ps < .05). D/HH adolescents who reported greater hearing-culture identity, having hearing aids, experiencing better hearing with assistive devices, having good quality of communication with parents, and attending hearing schools at least half of the time had higher functional health literacy (all ps < .025). Those who reported English as their best language and attending hearing schools at least half of the time had higher cardiovascular health knowledge scores (all ps < .03). Results suggest that interventions to improve D/HH adolescents’ health literacy should target their health-related conversations with their families; access to printed health information; and access to health information from other people, especially health care providers and educators.

Is Knowledge Level of Coronary Heart Disease and Risk Factors Among Post-Percutaneous Coronary Intervention Patients Adequate?

Percutaneous coronary intervention (PCI) is now commonly used in the treatment of coronary heart disease. However, shorter hospital stays after intervention may affect patients' knowledge and subsequent required lifestyle changes. The aim of this study is to investigate participants' risk factor profile, knowledge of coronary heart disease, and the influence of demographic and risk factors on this knowledge. This prospective, cross-sectional 1-site study recruited both elective and emergency PCI patients postdischarge. The questionnaire collected data on demographics, risk factor profile, and coronary heart disease knowledge as measured on the Bergman Heart Disease Knowledge Questionnaire. Bivariate and multivariate analyses were used to analyze the influence of 11 risk and sociodemographic factors on knowledge. The response rate was 67% (n = 84). The sample was mostly male and aged 65.79 ± 9.9 years, and 59% had an elective PCI. Risk factor burden was high; 2 or more risk factors were seen in 66% of participants. Mean knowledge score overall was 51%, with the highest score achieved in the risk factor domain (61%). Lowest scores were in the medical and symptoms domains (both 46%). Neither the bivariate nor the multivariate analyses were significant. A large proportion of patients believed that coronary heart disease was no longer a concern for them after PCI. As expected, the risk factor profile of post-PCI patients was high. However, their knowledge levels and awareness were unrelated to risk factor profile and poor in comparison with studies in other cardiac patients. This, in addition to the short stay in hospital and the low attendance of this cohort at cardiac rehabilitation, identifies this group of patients as a priority for further targeted education. Innovations are needed to increase knowledge and begin behavioral change predischarge after PCI. This should include target and goal setting for lifestyle change to avail of this critical education opportunity.

Psychometric Properties of the Heart Disease Knowledge Scale: Evidence from Item and Confirmatory Factor Analyses.

Heart disease knowledge is an important concept for health education, yet there is lack of evidence on proper validated instruments used to measure levels of heart disease knowledge in the Malaysian context. A cross-sectional, survey design was conducted to examine the psychometric properties of the adapted English version of the Heart Disease Knowledge Questionnaire (HDKQ). Using proportionate cluster sampling, 788 undergraduate students at Universiti Sains Malaysia, Malaysia, were recruited and completed the HDKQ. Item analysis and confirmatory factor analysis (CFA) were used for the psychometric evaluation. Construct validity of the measurement model was included. Most of the students were Malay (48%), female (71%), and from the field of science (51%). An acceptable range was obtained with respect to both the difficulty and discrimination indices in the item analysis results. The difficulty index ranged from 0.12-0.91 and a discrimination index of ≥ 0.20 were reported for the final retained 23 items. The final CFA model showed an adequate fit to the data, yielding a 23-item, one-factor model [weighted least squares mean and variance adjusted scaled chi-square difference = 1.22, degrees of freedom = 2, P-value = 0.544, the root mean square error of approximation = 0.03 (90% confidence interval = 0.03, 0.04); close-fit P-value = > 0.950]. Adequate psychometric values were obtained for Malaysian undergraduate university students using the 23-item, one-factor model of the adapted HDKQ.

Awareness and Knowledge of Cardiovascular Risk Through Blood Pressure and Cholesterol Testing in College Freshmen

Background: Cardiovascular disease (CVD) is the leading cause of death in the United States, yet knowledge of CVD risk factors is surprisingly low in college students. Purpose: The purpose of this study was to determine the effectiveness of an individualized blood pressure, cholesterol, and CVD education intervention on college freshmen. Methods: Twenty-five college freshmen (mean age 18.3 ± 0.4 years) completed the study. Participants underwent blood pressure and blood cholesterol screening and completed 3 questionnaires (BLOCK Fat Dietary Screener, Paffenbarger Physical Activity Questionnaire, and Heart Disease Knowledge Questionnaire [HDKQ]). Feedback reports containing participants' cholesterol and blood pressure data with normative guidelines and physical activity and heart-healthy diet pamphlets were distributed at a one-on-one 15-minute feedback session. Approximately 2 months after receiving this information, all 3 questionnaires were repeated. Results: Participants improved their HDKQ scores (15.35 ± 5.0 vs. 19.68 ± 4.1, P < .05) but did not change dietary scores (33.6 ± 10.8 vs. 31.5 ± 7.8) or physical activity (2117 ± 1978 vs. 2290 ± 1924 kcal/week). Translation to Health Education Practice: A short blood pressure and cholesterol report and one-on-one meeting improved knowledge of CVD risk in college students without affecting diet and exercise habits.

Abstract 18085: Heart Healthy Living: A community Based, Culturally Sensitive Cardiovascular Disease Education Program for Chinese Women at Roxbury Tenants of Harvard

Background: Acculturation is strongly associated with increased cardiovascular disease (CVD) risk and risk factors among Chinese immigrants into Western societies. There is a paucity in community-based health interventions targeted towards Chinese immigrants, and a growing need to develop such programs among this rapidly expanding population. We adapted the Heart Healthy Living (HHL) seminar series, a tailored health, nutrition, and physical activity education program, to address the challenges that Chinese immigrants face. Methods: HHL is a six week culturally suitable CV health program targeted towards Chinese women residing at Roxbury Tenants of Harvard (RTH). Each session was held in Chinese and consisted of an interactive lecture component on CVD prevention, followed by an exercise activity. Each participant completed a validated Heart Disease Knowledge Questionnaire (HDKQ) both pre- and post-seminar series, in addition to blood pressure, weight, height, and waist circumference measurements at each time. Results: A total of 30 women registered with median age of 65.5 years old. At baseline, 33% of the women suffered from hypertension and 30% of women had BMI considered at minimum “overweight” at an average of 26.33 kg/m2 with a mean waist circumference of 32.6 inches (+/- 4.3 inches). Overall, there were no significant changes in weight, blood pressure, or waist circumference. However, we found a 117% increase in proficiency of CVD knowledge in the HDKQ, from 34.6% correct to 75.3% correct upon completion of the seminar series (Figure 1). Conclusions: There was a profound increase in CVD literacy with HHL completion. Not unexpectedly, there were no changes in metrics taken during the seminar series. Longer and larger studies are necessary to determine reproducibility and changes in measurements taken. Furthermore, one year follow up and long-term interventions are necessary to assess the translation of knowledge into health-related outcomes.

Abstract 18648: Heart Healthy Living: A Community-Based, Tailored Educational Program to Improve the Cardiovascular Knowledge and Health of African American Women

Background: Low health literacy is a potential contributor to poor cardiovascular outcomes. Health literacy is lowest among the elderly, racial/ethnic minorities, those with low education level, the uninsured, and the publicly insured. African American (AA) women suffer from a disproportionate burden of CV risk factors (RF) and low health literacy. We developed a community-based, tailored health education, nutrition, and exercise program, Heart Healthy Living (HHL) to address the unique challenges in AA women. Methods: HHL consisted of a 6-week program to improve the CV health literacy of AA women aged 18 years or older with at least one CV risk factor. The program consisted of weekly tailored CV health education and exercise classes. In weeks 1 and 6, participants completed a validated Heart Disease Knowledge Questionnaire, blood pressure and weight were checked. Results: Participants included 32 AA women with an average age of48 years. Participants had high rates of hypertension (55%) and obesity (68%). Participants experienced an age-adjusted weekly weight loss of 0.5 lbs and an age-adjusted total weight loss of 2.7 lbs (p&lt;0.001). There was a 40% relative decline in rates of HTN after completion of the program. At baseline, participants scored &lt;50% on the validated Heart Disease Knowledge Questionnaire; however after completion of the program this improved significantly (Figure). Conclusion: We found that a tailored health education and exercise program resulted in improved CV health literacy in AA Women. Our data suggests an intensive CV education and exercise program, improved health literacy disparities and CV RF in AA women. Larger and longer studies of HHL are ongoing to determine whether these results are replicable and sustainable.

Development of a Comprehensive Heart Disease Knowledge Questionnaire

Background: Heart disease is the number one killer of both men and women in the United States, yet a comprehensive and evidence-based heart disease knowledge assessment is currently not available. Purpose: This paper describes the two-phase development of a novel heart disease knowledge questionnaire. Methods: After review and critique of the existing literature, a questionnaire addressing five central domains of heart disease knowledge was constructed. In Phase I, 606 undergraduates completed an 82-item questionnaire. In Phase II, 248 undergraduates completed a revised 74-item questionnaire. In both phases, item clarity and difficulty were evaluated, along with the overall factor structure of the scale. Results: Exploratory and confirmatory factor analyses were used to reduce the scale to 30 items with fit statistics, CFI = .82, TLI = .88, and RMSEA = .03. Scores were correlated moderately positively with an existing scale and weakly positively with a measure of health literacy, thereby establishing both convergent and divergent validity. Discussion: The finalized 30-item questionnaire is a concise, yet discriminating instrument that reliably measures participants' heart disease knowledge levels. Translation to Health Education Practice: Health professionals can use this scale to assess their patients' heart disease knowledge so that they can create a tailored program to help their patients reduce their heart disease risk.