Assessing the Knowledge of Cardiovascular Disease Among Young People in South Dublin

Introduction: Cardiovascular diseases cause approximately 46% of total deaths in Ireland. These conditions can be preventable with lifestyle changes. By 2020 the number of deaths is expected to rise to over 195,000 people. With the aim, to develop teaching programs about CVD, it is important to assess young peoples' understanding of CVD. Methods: This was a cross-sectional questionnaire-based research study conducted in seven pharmacies in south Dublin. Customers aged between 18-30 were requested to take part in the study. Descriptive and variable provision multivariate analysis was used in information analysis. Results: The least recognized symptom of a myocardial infarction was dyspnea (69%). The least recognized symptom of stroke was headache (65%). In terms of where young people obtain health information, 66% learned from doctors, while family members and the internet were the main source in 18% and 17%. 35% of young people believed weight was the most factor that increased your risk of cardiovascular disease while 22% believed smoking was most important. Discussion: There was deficiencies in cardiovascular disease knowledge among young people, especially related to MI/Stroke. DOI: 10.26502/fccm.92920022 Cardiol Cardiovascmed 2017; 1 (4): 187-194 188


Introduction
Cardiovascular diseases (CVDs) are a group of disorders involving the heart and blood vessels [1]. They include a range or related conditions including; coronary cardiovascular disease (CHD), vessel disease, rheumatic cardiovascular disease, congenital heart disease, deep vein thrombosis and other related conditions [2]. CVD is the leading cause of deaths in developed and developing countries. In 2008, 30% (17.5 million people) of all-cause deaths were from CVDs. It is anticipated to rise to 23.3 million by 2030 [3]. Cardiovascular disease (CVD) is one of the most modifiable causes of death in the world, due to the fact risk factors are controllable; hypertension, diabetes, obesity, smoking, and diabetes.
The social and environmental causes of CHD and stroke have been identified, and educational population-based prevention programs could result in a significant decrease in CVD morbidity and mortality [4]. Knowledge about CVD and its modifiable risk factors is a vital prerequisite to change a patient's health attitudes, behaviours and lifestyle. An understanding of the knowledge of CVD among young people and the sources they use for information would enable the development of effective programs.

Methods
A descriptive, cross-sectional survey was undertaken in a small community pharmacy in a south Dublin Ireland with an estimated population of 265,350 people [5]. The survey was undertaken during the period from January 2014 to July 2016. Ethical Approval was obtained from the Royal College of Surgeons In Ireland. Customers aged from 18-30 attending the pharmacy were requested to take part in the study. Customers were given the questionnaires, which were completed anonymously and returned to the pharmacy after completion. Data was then inserted into a databook. Data was stored in the pharmacy controlled drug safe for use by the study researchers only. Exclusion criteria were ages less than 17 or above 30 years and health care professionals.
A literature review of previous studies regarding CVD knowledge was conducted to identify potential terms for the questionnaire. Based on the literature search, the study questionnaire was adapted from previous studies used in Australia, North Ireland and Canada [6][7][8][9][10][11][12]. The questionnaire consisted of four main sections. The first section included ten items to provide information about the sociodemographic. on the role of pharmacists in CVD management.
A scoring system was applied to measure the respondents' knowledge. Knowledge scores were categorized for each section as low [2], moderate [3,4] and high [5]. Customers were also asked where they obtained most of their health information, whether from doctors, family, friends, media sources or other health professionals. Univariate logistic regression was performed to determine the relationship of each independent variable with the overall knowledge of CVD. All variables with p <0.25 in the univariate analysis were used in the multiple logistic regression analysis to determine the factors that are associated with CVD knowledge.
Statistical significance was accepted at p <0.05 Data were entered into the Statistical Package for Social Sciences (SPSS, version 22, SPSS, Chicago, IL, U.S.A.) and descriptive analysis was conducted.

Results
A total of 112 patients aged between 18 and 30 were invited to take part in the study which was advertised in the pharmacy.

Discussion
This study has highlighted the knowledge gap in cardiovascular disease for the ages of 20-30 years. Excluding CHD which was recognized by 95 patients (85%) as a cardiovascular disease, approximately 32 patients (29%) of the study population were not aware of any other type of CVD. 17 patients (15%) were not aware of any other MI symptom apart from chest pain.
Chest pain was the most common known symptom 106 patients (95%) and shortness of breath by 87 patients (78%), which is higher than previous studies from North Ireland, Canada, Iran and Jordan [13][14][15][16][17]. Knowledge of stroke was much better with 100 patients (90%) able to name three or more symptoms of stroke most commonly weakness in the face (95%), trouble speaking (90%) and dizziness (90%). These figures were 10-20% higher than studies in Australia, Canada and the Gulf countries [9][10][11][12], but ~5% lower than that in the USA [18][19][20]. Factors independently associated with CVD knowledge. In the current survey, age, level of education, eating a healthy diet, and family history of CVD were found to be significantly associated with CVD knowledge (p <0.05).
71 patients (35%) felt being overweight was a cause of heart disease, Age was important in 45 patients (22%) while of note, smoking was seen as a contributor to cardiovascular disease in 32 patients (16%). This seems to indicate that young people do not understand the risk factors for heart disease or perceive that they are not at risk of cardiovascular disease considering that a large proportion felt that age was the most important risk factor.
Knowledge about CVD was significantly raised among females compared to males, which is an agreement with a previous study conducted in Iran and Korea [21][22][23].