Lay knowledge of cardiovascular disease and risk factors in three communities in Accra, Ghana: a cross-sectional survey
Objectives Cardiovascular disease is a major cause of morbidity and mortality in Ghana, and urban poor communities are disproportionately affected. Research has shown that knowledge of cardiovascular disease (CVD) is the first step to risk reduction. This study examines knowledge of CVD and risk fac...
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BMJ Publishing Group
2021-12-01
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| Series: | BMJ Open |
| Online Access: | https://bmjopen.bmj.com/content/11/12/e049451.full |
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| author | Charles Agyemang Ama De-Graft Aikins Olutobi Adekunle Sanuade Mawuli Komla Kushitor Raphael Baffour Awuah Paapa Yaw Asante |
| author_facet | Charles Agyemang Ama De-Graft Aikins Olutobi Adekunle Sanuade Mawuli Komla Kushitor Raphael Baffour Awuah Paapa Yaw Asante |
| author_sort | Charles Agyemang |
| collection | DOAJ |
| description | Objectives Cardiovascular disease is a major cause of morbidity and mortality in Ghana, and urban poor communities are disproportionately affected. Research has shown that knowledge of cardiovascular disease (CVD) is the first step to risk reduction. This study examines knowledge of CVD and risk factors and determinants of CVD knowledge in three urban poor communities in Accra, Ghana.Methods Using the Cardiovascular Disease Risk Factors Knowledge Level Scale, which has been validated in Ghana, we conducted a cross-sectional survey with 775 respondents aged 15–59 years. CVD knowledge was computed as a continuous variable based on correct answers to 27 questions, and each correct response was assigned one point. Linear regression was used to determine the factors associated with CVD knowledge.Results The mean age of the participants was 30.3±10.8 years and the mean knowledge score was 19.3±4.8. About one-fifth of participants were living with chronic diseases. Overall, 71.1% had good CVD knowledge, and 28.9% had moderate or poor CVD knowledge. CVD knowledge was low in the symptoms and risk factor domains. A larger proportion received CVD knowledge from radio and television. The determinants of CVD knowledge included ethnicity, alcohol consumption, self-reported health and sources of CVD knowledge. CVD knowledge was highest among a minority Akan ethnic group, those who were current alcohol consumers and those who rated their health as very good/excellent, compared with their respective counterparts. CVD knowledge was significantly lower among those who received information from health workers and multiple sources.Conclusion This study underscores the need for health education programmes to promote practical knowledge on CVD symptoms, risks and treatment. We outline health systems and community-level barriers to good CVD knowledge and discuss the implications for developing context-specific and culturally congruent CVD primary prevention interventions. |
| format | Article |
| id | doaj-art-04fb76d7e5e846d8864f8cdd22d1ac1a |
| institution | OA Journals |
| issn | 2044-6055 |
| language | English |
| publishDate | 2021-12-01 |
| publisher | BMJ Publishing Group |
| record_format | Article |
| series | BMJ Open |
| spelling | doaj-art-04fb76d7e5e846d8864f8cdd22d1ac1a2025-08-20T01:54:37ZengBMJ Publishing GroupBMJ Open2044-60552021-12-01111210.1136/bmjopen-2021-049451Lay knowledge of cardiovascular disease and risk factors in three communities in Accra, Ghana: a cross-sectional surveyCharles Agyemang0Ama De-Graft Aikins1Olutobi Adekunle Sanuade2Mawuli Komla Kushitor3Raphael Baffour Awuah4Paapa Yaw Asante5Department of Public & Occupational Health, Amsterdam UMC, University of Amsterdam, Amsterdam Public Health Research Institute, Amsterdam, The NetherlandsInstitute of Advanced Studies, University College London, London, UKDepartment of Population Health Sciences, Spencer Fox Eccles School of Medicine at the University of Utah, Salt Lake City, Utah, USASchool of Public Health, Department of Health Policy Planning and Management, University of Health and Allied Sciences, Ho, Volta Region, GhanaRegional Institute for Population Studies, University of Ghana, Legon, GhanaDepartment of Psychology, University of Ghana, Legon, GhanaObjectives Cardiovascular disease is a major cause of morbidity and mortality in Ghana, and urban poor communities are disproportionately affected. Research has shown that knowledge of cardiovascular disease (CVD) is the first step to risk reduction. This study examines knowledge of CVD and risk factors and determinants of CVD knowledge in three urban poor communities in Accra, Ghana.Methods Using the Cardiovascular Disease Risk Factors Knowledge Level Scale, which has been validated in Ghana, we conducted a cross-sectional survey with 775 respondents aged 15–59 years. CVD knowledge was computed as a continuous variable based on correct answers to 27 questions, and each correct response was assigned one point. Linear regression was used to determine the factors associated with CVD knowledge.Results The mean age of the participants was 30.3±10.8 years and the mean knowledge score was 19.3±4.8. About one-fifth of participants were living with chronic diseases. Overall, 71.1% had good CVD knowledge, and 28.9% had moderate or poor CVD knowledge. CVD knowledge was low in the symptoms and risk factor domains. A larger proportion received CVD knowledge from radio and television. The determinants of CVD knowledge included ethnicity, alcohol consumption, self-reported health and sources of CVD knowledge. CVD knowledge was highest among a minority Akan ethnic group, those who were current alcohol consumers and those who rated their health as very good/excellent, compared with their respective counterparts. CVD knowledge was significantly lower among those who received information from health workers and multiple sources.Conclusion This study underscores the need for health education programmes to promote practical knowledge on CVD symptoms, risks and treatment. We outline health systems and community-level barriers to good CVD knowledge and discuss the implications for developing context-specific and culturally congruent CVD primary prevention interventions.https://bmjopen.bmj.com/content/11/12/e049451.full |
| spellingShingle | Charles Agyemang Ama De-Graft Aikins Olutobi Adekunle Sanuade Mawuli Komla Kushitor Raphael Baffour Awuah Paapa Yaw Asante Lay knowledge of cardiovascular disease and risk factors in three communities in Accra, Ghana: a cross-sectional survey BMJ Open |
| title | Lay knowledge of cardiovascular disease and risk factors in three communities in Accra, Ghana: a cross-sectional survey |
| title_full | Lay knowledge of cardiovascular disease and risk factors in three communities in Accra, Ghana: a cross-sectional survey |
| title_fullStr | Lay knowledge of cardiovascular disease and risk factors in three communities in Accra, Ghana: a cross-sectional survey |
| title_full_unstemmed | Lay knowledge of cardiovascular disease and risk factors in three communities in Accra, Ghana: a cross-sectional survey |
| title_short | Lay knowledge of cardiovascular disease and risk factors in three communities in Accra, Ghana: a cross-sectional survey |
| title_sort | lay knowledge of cardiovascular disease and risk factors in three communities in accra ghana a cross sectional survey |
| url | https://bmjopen.bmj.com/content/11/12/e049451.full |
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