The Knowledge and Attitudes of Coronary Heart Disease Prevention among Middle and Older Aged People in a Community in Taipei

Objectives: Given increases in prevalence of coronary heart disease (CHD) in Taiwan, the aim of this study was to investigate knowledge and attitudes towards CHD prevention among aged adults in Taiwan. Methods: This is a cross-sectional study, based on a telephone survey. People aged 45 and over were systematically sampled from a family physician's clinic in a residential area of Taipei City. Participants were invited to talk about risk factors, prevention strategies and preventability of CHD. Chi-Square tests and the Kruskal-Wallis test were used to examine associations between selected factors (e.g. having CHD risk factors or not, educational levels and age) that can affect people's knowledge and attitudes towards CHD prevention. Results: Of the 376 people sampled, 211 agreed to take part in the study, resulting in a response rate of 56%. Most people had only limited knowledge of CHD prevention, even though 77% reported at least 1 risk factor for CHD. Three quarters of participants were not sure CHD is a preventable disease. Around 82% knew only two or fewer risk factors for CHD and 26% were not able to name any prevention strategies for CHD. Smokers and people with diabetes were not aware themselves as being at high risk for CHD. People aged 60 and over and those with lower educational levels were less likely to be aware of strategies for CHD prevention. Conclusions: As CHD is a growing public health concern in Taiwan, lay people's knowledge of CHD prevention needs to be heightened. Information from this study will help to inform CHD policy in Taiwan. It gives insight into what information may need more emphasis and which subgroups of people may need more attention from health professionals in Taiwan's CHD prevention.