Knowledge of modifiable risk factors of coronary heart disease among a sample in Bangladesh

Background: Coronary heart disease (CHD) is the leading cause of deaths in Bangladesh. This study examined the level of knowledge of modifiable risk factors of CHD in a Bangladeshi sample and determined the factors associated with a poor level of knowledge.

Methods: In this cross-sectional study 410 participants (≥18 years) were recruited from patient waiting area at Bangabandhu Sheikh Mujib Medical University in Dhaka, Bangladesh. Structured questionnaire was used to collect data about participant characteristics and eight aspects of knowledge of the modifiable risk factors for CHD. Identifying five or less risk factors was regarded as a poor level of knowledge. Multiple logistic and liner regressions models were used to determine the factors independently associated with knowledge.

Results: The mean age of the participants was 32.3 years. About half of them went to college and most (67%) of them lived in urban area. Smoking was the most recognized (91%) and having sugar rich diet was the least recognized (33.7%) CHD risk factor. Participants without education were almost three times (OR: 2.8, 95% CI: 1.3 -7.2) and participants with primary level education were four times more likely (OR: 4.3, 95% CI: 2.1-8.7) to have poor knowledge compared to participants with college level education. Lower income was also associated with poor knowledge (OR: 1.5, 95% CI: 0.9 -2.6).

Conclusion: Socioeconomically disadvantaged group had lower knowledge about CHD risk factors. Future educational programs and preventive approaches should be designed with special attention, so that they reach the most disadvantaged sectors of the population.