AWARENESS OF CORONARY ARTERY DISEASE RISK FACTORS AMONG ADULT MALES IN SULAIMANI CITY, KURDISTAN REGION OF IRAQ

Volume 14 , Issue 1 , March 2024 , Pages 171-178

Authors

Sabir Mohamed Amin 1

1 College of Medicine, University of Sulaimani, Kurdistan Region, Iraq.

DOI logo 10.17656/jsmc.10462

Keywords

Abstract

Background
Coronary artery disease (CAD) remains the most common cause of death in adults worldwide. Although
an incurable disease, CAD has certain risk factors, most modifi able. By controlling those risk factors, the
incidence and prevalence of CAD may be decreased. Increasing public awareness of CAD risk factors is an
essential initial step toward reducing its incidence and prevalence.
Objectives
This study aimed to assess the level of knowledge about CAD, the leading cause of mortality worldwide, and
awareness of modifi able CAD risk factors among the adult male population in Sulaimani City. Additionally, it
sought to determine the correlation between this knowledge, education level, and monthly income.
Methods
A cross-sectional study was conducted among 600 adult males in Sulaimani City from mid-July to the end
of August 2022 using an interview questionnaire to assess public awareness of CAD, the commonest cause
of mortality, and its seven modifi able risk factors: hypertension, diabetes, hyperlipidemia, obesity, smoking,
sedentary lifestyle, and diet. The questionnaire also included knowledge of 2 protective factors against CAD:
diet and physical exercise.
Results
Six hundred random male participants, aged 18-84 years with a mean age (SD) of 38.82±12.27 were interviewed.
Most participants (71.6%) were young (below 45 years). About half of the participants (49.8%) had university
or post-university education, and a minority (2.2%) were illiterate. Only 31% knew that CAD was the most
common cause of death worldwide. One quarter (25.5%) regarded cancer as the most typical cause. No one
(0.0%) of participants was aware of all the seven modifi able risk factors, and 12.3% knew none of those
risk factors. For knowledge of one, two, and three risk factors, the frequency was 35%, 36.2%, and 14.7%,
respectively. Ten respondents (1.66%) identifi ed four risk factors, and only one (0.16%) identifi ed fi ve. The
level of knowledge was positively correlated with the level of education and income (p <0.001 and <0.01,
respectively). Regarding protective factors, 56.5% of them were aware of one or both factors.
Conclusion
There was a clear lack of public awareness of CAD risk factors among adult males in Sulaimani City.
Government agencies, health authorities, and civil organizations should be involved in efforts to increase
public awareness of CAD risk factors among adult males in Sulaimani City.

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  • Published at21 March 2024

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