Table 3 Distribution of knowledge of cardiovascular disease (N = 212)
From: Hypertensive patients’ knowledge of cardiovascular disease in Calabar, Nigeria
S/n | Variable/question | Correct response | Incorrect response^ |
|---|---|---|---|
N (%) | N (%) | ||
Dietary knowledge | |||
1 | Polyunsaturated fats are healthier for the heart than saturated fats. | 50 (23.6) | 162 (76.4) |
2 | Trans-fats are healthier for the heart than most other kinds of fats. | 42 (19.8) | 170 (80.2) |
3 | Most of the cholesterol in an egg is in the white part of the egg. | 54 (25.5) | 158 (74.5) |
4 | Dietary fiber lowers blood cholesterol. | 58 (27.4) | 154 (72.6) |
6 | Many vegetables are high in cholesterol. | 130 (61.3) | 82 (38.7) |
Knowledge of basic meaning and epidemiology | |||
7 | Women are less likely to get heart disease after menopause than before. | 90 (42.5) | 122 (57.5) |
8 | Heart disease is the leading cause of death in Nigeria. | 156 (73.6) | 56 (26.4) |
9 | Most women are more likely to die from breast cancer than heart disease. | 62 (29.2) | 150 (70.8) |
10 | Heart disease is better defined as a short-term illness than a chronic illness. | 48 (22.6) | 164 (77.4) |
Medical knowledge | |||
11 | Most people can tell whether or not they have high blood pressure. | 122 (57.5) | 90 (42.5) |
12 | The best kind of exercise involves rapid breathing for a sustained period of time. | 130 (61.3) | 82 (38.7) |
13 | A healthy person’s pulse should return to normal within 15 min after exercise. | 132 (62.3) | 80 (37.7) |
14 | Cardiopulmonary resuscitation (CPR) helps to clear clogged blood vessels. | 84 (39.6) | 128 (60.4) |
15 | HDL refers to “good” cholesterol, and LDL refers to “bad” cholesterol. | 106 (50.0) | 106 (50.0) |
17 | “High” blood pressure is defined as 110/80 (systolic/diastolic) or higher. | 138 (65.1) | 74 (34.9) |
Knowledge of risk factors | |||
18 | Having had chicken pox increases the risk of getting heart disease. | 120 (56.6) | 92 (43.4) |
19 | Eating a lot of red meat increases heart disease risk. | 132 (62.3) | 80 (37.7) |
20 | The most important cause of heart attacks is stress. | 84 (39.6) | 128 (60.4) |
21 | Walking and gardening are types of exercise that can lower heart disease risk | 160 (75.5) | 52 (24.5) |
22 | Smokers are more likely to die of lung cancer than heart disease. | 40 (18.9) | 172 (81.1) |
23 | Taking an aspirin each day is thought to decrease the risk of getting heart disease. | 58 (27.4) | 154 (72.6) |
24 | Taller people are more at risk for getting heart disease. | 104 (49.1) | 108 (50.9) |
25 | People who have diabetes are at higher risk of getting heart disease. | 100 (47.2) | 112 (52.8) |
26 | Eating a high fiber diet increases the risk of getting heart disease. | 72 (34.0) | 140 (66.0) |
Knowledge of symptoms | |||
27 | Turning pale or gray is a common symptom of having heart attack. | 60 (28.3) | 152 (71.7) |
28 | Sudden trouble seeing in one eye is a common symptom of having a heart attack. | 82 (38.7) | 130 (61.3) |
29 | Feeling weak, lightheaded, or faint is a common symptom of having a heart attack. | 72 (34.0) | 140 (66.0) |
30 | Men and women experience many of the same symptoms of a heart attack. | 58 (27.4) | 154 (72.6) |