"A Descriptive Study to Assess the Knowledge and Attitude regarding Prevention of Cardiovascular Diseases (CVD) among the General Population of selected areas of Mirza, Kamrup (R), Assam."

AUTHOR: Nikita Baishya, Bhaswati Kashyap, Madhumita Kumer GUIDE: Prof. Jayashree Kakoti Vice Principal NEMCARE Institute of Nursing Sciences, Nemcare Foundation. PROBLEM STATEMENT “A Descriptive Study to Assess the Knowledge and Attitude regarding Prevention of Cardiovascular Diseases among the General Population of selected areas of Mirza, Kamrup(R), Assam.” INTRODUCTION Health is an ideal state of well-being resulting from the harmonious reciprocation of body, mind, spirit, and environment. The cardiovascular system, often called the circulatory system, is one of the most vital systems in the human body, responsible for transporting nutrients, oxygen, hormones, and waste products throughout the body. Comprising the heart, blood vessels, and blood, it plays a key role in maintaining homeostasis and reinforcing overall health and well-being. Cardiovascular disease (CVD)is an umbrella term encircling various conditions affecting the heart and blood vessels. It is a leading cause of death globally, with millions of lives lost each year.Risk factors like hypertension, hyperlipidemia, obesity, or diabetes cause the majority of CVD deaths. Cardiovascular diseases include heart attacks, strokes, heart failure, coronary artery disease, and other conditions, all of which can have serious outcomes for health and good fortune. It is a significant health opposition that requires a sophisticated approach to address efficaciously. OBJECTIVES The objectives of the study are: 1. To assess the knowledge regarding the prevention of cardiovascular diseases among the general population. 2. To assess the attitude regarding the prevention of cardiovascular diseases among the general population. 3. To find the association between knowledge and attitude regarding the prevention of cardiovascular diseases with selected demographic variables. METHODS AND MATERIALS A descriptive design was used in the study to accomplish the objectives. Probability sampling techniques wereused to obtainan adequate sample for the study. The study was undertaken on 100 general population in selected areas of Mirza, Kamrup (R), Assam. The general population was selected based on their inclusion criteria.The knowledge and attitude of the general population were checked by using a self-structured knowledge questionnaire and the Likert scale respectively. RESULTS The results of the study show that out of 100 general population, 31 (31%) had good knowledge, 45 (45%) had average knowledge and 24 (24%) had poor knowledge of the general population on prevention of cardiovascular diseases and there is a significant association with educational status (χ2= 20.08, df= 6, p value= 0.0027), family income (χ2= 21.86, df= 4, p value= 0.00021), and previous knowledge on CVD (χ2= 17.389, df= 2, p value= 0.00016). In the case of attitude scores out of 100 general population, 34 (34%) had favourable attitudes, 40 (40%) had neutral attitudes and 26 (26%) had unfavourable attitudes regarding the prevention of cardiovascular diseases and there is a significant association with family income (χ2=14.85, df= 4, p value=0.005), educational status(χ2=13.90, df=6, p value=0.030) previous knowledge on CVD (χ2=20.01, df= 2, p value=0.000045), and past history of CVD (χ2= 5.87, df= 2, p value=0.05). CONCLUSION The study highlights the importance of assessing the knowledge and attitude of the general population regarding the prevention of cardiovascular diseases (CVD). It reveals that while some individuals may have an understanding of CVD prevention, significant gaps in knowledge and attitudes persist. The study shows that the mean knowledge value is 11.36 with a standard deviation of 4.43. The mean attitude value is 20.54 with a standard deviation of 4.78. The research provides a foundation for future studies and healthcare practices aimed at reducing the burden of cardiovascular diseases and improving the overall health outcomes of the community. It calls for a collaborative effort among healthcare professionals and the community to foster a culture of cardiovascular health awareness and prevention.