Knowledge of Cardiovascular Disease among Undergraduate University Students in Palestine
Date
2017-01-03
Authors
Amro, Nawaf RN
Rasheed, Osaid
Khdour, Maher
Qraqra, Dua
Ghrayeb, Farid AW
Journal Title
Journal ISSN
Volume Title
Publisher
International Knowledge Sharing Platform, IISTE
Abstract
Although cardiovascular diseases (CVD) typically occur in middle age or later, the initiating behaviors for the
development of CVD begins in childhood and continued into adulthood.CVD is estimated to cause 40% of all
mortalities in Palestine. CVD will continue to be a leading cause of death to the young generation unless they
have knowledge regarding CVD and the risk factors for developing this disease and having the knowledge to
encounter it. Individuals with higher levels of health knowledge may perform healthier behaviors at greater
frequency than individuals who are less informed. Unfortunately, Studies reporting the knowledge of CVD risk
factors among Palestinian college students are lacking. Hence, this study was performed to assess the level of
knowledge regarding CVD undergraduate university students. A cross-sectional study was carried out among 2nd
through 5th year college students of the health campus in Al-Quds University, in Palestine. A self-administered
survey was distributed to a proportionate sample of 300 undergraduates students from nursing, midwifery,
medicine, pharmacy, and others courses at Al-Quds University by using pre validated Heart Disease Fact
Questionnaire (HDFQ) developed by Wagner et al. (2005).Descriptive and inferential statistics were used for
data analysis. The sample had an average knowledge score of 63.3% out of a maximum correct score of 100%.
Results from data analysis revealed overall knowledge of CVD risk factors was relatively fair. Our study
elucidates that CVDs are not perceived as major risk by college population, which could turn into insufficient
preventative practices and suboptimal patient outcomes. There is an urgent need to establish more wide-spread
and effective educational interventions, which should be sensitive to the perceptions, attitudes, and abilities of
targeted individuals. Heart disease awareness campaigns for college students, to increase the preventive actions
and adoption of healthy lifestyles are essential.
Description
Keywords
Cardiovascular disease , Knowledge , Undergraduate university students , Palestine