The knowledge and attitudes of coronary heart disease and lifestyle modifications among middle and older aged people in selected community areas at Bangalore

Background: According to the World Health Organization, Coronary Heart Disease (CHD) is the leading cause of death globally and one of the major health burdens worldwide cardiovascular diseases (CVD) is the leading cause of death and primary target for prevention. The main aim of this study was to answer the question regarding The Knowledge and Attitudes of Coronary Heart Disease and lifestyle modifications among Middle and Older Aged People in selected Community. Objectives of the study: Knowledge and Attitudes of Coronary Heart Disease and lifestyle modifications among Middle and Older Aged People in selected Community at Bangalore. Methods: A descriptive study was conducted among 50 obese women who were selected by Purposive sampling technique. The study was conducted in local areas, at Mangalore. Data was collected through baseline information, structured knowledge questionnaire. The data collected was analysed and interpreted based on descriptive and inferential statistics. Result: Majority of the samples belonged in the age group of 40-45 years (40%), most of their BMI were in obese category (64%), nearly half of the subjects completed pre university education (40%), 64% of the subjects were office workers and have not attained menopause, almost half of them had 2 pregnancies (48%) and majority of them did not undergo hormone replacement therapy (80%), family history of CVD and obesity were 72% and 56% respectively, majority of people had personal history of diabetes mellitus (36%). With regard to level of knowledge, among 50 obese women 50% had average knowledge, 34% had good knowledge, 6% had very good knowledge and 10% had poor knowledge about prevention of cardiovascular diseases. There was a significant association for age, type of occupation, number of pregnancies, hormone replacement therapy and personal history of CVD with knowledge of obese women and no association found for BMI, menopause, family history of CVD and obesity. Conclusion: Knowledge level of obese women regarding prevention of cardiovascular diseases is comparatively low. Various multispectral approaches are required to improve their knowledge which would help to improve their quality of life.