Cardiovascular Diseases Risk Factors and the Relationship between Knowledge Level and Preventive Behaviors forCardiovascular Diseases among Women in Kerman

Rezabeigi Davarani Esmat¹, Iranpour Abedin², Khanjani Narges³, Mohseni Mohabbat⁴*,

 Nazari Robati Fatemeh¹

Ÿ

2. Assistant Professor, Research Center for Modeling in Health, Institute for Futures Studies in Health, Kerman University of  Medical Sciences, Kerman, Iran

3. Associate Professor, Research Center for Environmental Health Engineering, School of Public Health, Kerman University of Medical Sciences, Kerman, Iran.

4. Assistant Professor, Social Determinants of Health Research Center, Institute for Futures Studies in Health, Kerman University of Medical Sciences, Kerman, Iran

*Correspondence: School of Public Health, Campus of Kerman University of Medical Sciences, Haft Baghe Alavi Highway.

Tel: 03431325098       Fax: 03431325094               Email: Mohabbat.Mohseni@gmail.com

Introduction: Cardiovascular diseases are the main causes of mortality and disability in the world. Many risk factors are involved in cardiovascular diseases including hypertension, high cholesterol, overweight and obesity, smoking, diabetes, inadequate physical activity, unhealthy diet. The aim of this study was to evaluate cardiovascular diseases risk factors and the relationship between knowledge level and preventive behaviors for cardiovascular diseases among women in Kerman.

Methods: This descriptive-analytical cross-sectional study was performed on 400 women in Kerman. Participants were selected using multistage cluster sampling method. Data were collected using demographic questionnaire and a questionnaire about cardiovascular disease risk factors, knowledge, nutritional behavior, and physical activity. Data were analyzed using Pearson’s correlation, Spearman, one-way ANOVA, Kruskal wallis test and Mann-Whitney U test by SPSS 21.

Results: The average age of women was 42.11±1.40 years. Daily stress (71.75%) and inadequate physical activity (62.75%) were the most common risk factors among the participants. There was a significant positive relationship between knowledge and nutritional behavior (P<0.0001) and physical activity (P=0.001). The mean score of knowledge in women who had tested their blood sugar, cholesterol, weight, and blood pressure over the past six months was significantly high.

Conclusion: The results showed that there is a relationship between knowledge level and preventive behaviors for cardiovascular diseases; therefore, increasing knowledge level through appropriate interventions may effectively prevent cardiovascular diseases.

Key­words: Knowledge, Preventive Behavior, Risk Factors, Cardiovascular Diseases, Women.

Ÿ­Citation: Rezabeigi Davarani E, Iranpour A, Khanjani N, Mohseni M, Nazari Robati F. Cardiovascular Diseases Risk Factors and the Relationship between Knowledge Level and Preventive Behaviors among Women in Kerman. Journal of Health Based Research 2016; 2(2): 119-132.