Accesibility to Knowledge and Information on Risk Factors and Prevention of Cardiovascular Diseases and Preventive Behaviours among the Residents Age 30 Years and above in Male-Maldives

Abstract

Cardiovascular disease is the leading cause of death and disability in the Maldives for 25-30% of all deaths. Approximately 80% of cardiovascular diseases can be prevented and low-cost preventive strategies can save the lives of millions of people for whom treatment would be unaffordable either at individual or at national level. In this cross sectional descriptive and analytical study we look at the accessibility to information knowledge of risk factors and preventive behaviour of CVD among residents above the age group 30 year living in Male’ Maldives. The study also describes socio-demographic characteristics, source of information on cardiovascular disease risk factors and preventive behaviours. The study involved 399 equal number of male and females and a self administered questionnaire was used to collect data. The results showed that about 52% of the respondents had moderate knowledge about prevention and risk factors of CVD. The survey showed that the knowledge had a significant association with marital status (p<0.004) and occupation (p<0.001). Respondents from the fishing and agriculture sector had less knowledge. There was a significant association between level of knowledge score and rate of physical activities. And the main source of information on CVD risk factors and preventive behaviours were from TV. From the results it showed that only 12.1% of the respondents were consuming the recommended amount of fruits and vegetables, only 26.1% of the respondents were practicing 30 minutes of vigorous physical activity at least 3 times a week and 25.6% of the respondents were current smokers.The results also showed that respondents with history of medical illness were eating more fruits and vegetables. Since mass media has been the main source of health, there is a need to engage policy makers and other relevant sectors in order to get broad support for implementing mass media health promotion activities and networking and partnership with different sectors. Also to strengthen capacity at all sectors to develop and implement NCD prevention programmes.