Knowledge, behaviours, perceived barriers and facilitators in university women regarding heart health

Abstract

Cardiovascular disease (CVD) is the number one cause of mortality in Canada. A number of risk factors for CVD have been identified. Some of these risk factors are modifiable, such as smoking and use of oral contraceptives; others are unmodifiable, such as family history. Often the modifiable risk factors are acquired early in life. Females have unique risk factors and shared risk factors act differently in men and women. -- The objectives of this study were to determine: (1) level of heart health knowledge in university females 17-25 years, (2) level of awareness of how daily behaviours may impact on the etiology of CVD, (3) level of concern regarding CVD, (4) presence of risk factors, (5) practices with respect to heart health behaviour and (6) factors viewed as barriers/facilitators to the practice of heart health. -- A cross-sectional descriptive study using a self-completed questionnaire was applied to females attending Memorial University of Newfoundland. A randomized one-stage cluster sample was employed. The study sample consisted of 463 university females ages 17-25. -- Eighty-seven percent of respondents believe present behaviours may impact future health; 85% believe CVD can be prevented; and 68% stated they were concerned about CVD and its risk factors. -- Knowledge, incidence of risk factors and present health practices were compared with the Newfoundland Heart Health Study (1990). In general, the overall knowledge level and present health practices were higher in this study population than in the NHHS subjects, while the prevalence of risk factors was lower in this study population compared to the NHHS subjects. -- Recommendations for the development of appropriate and relevant health promotion programming for the target population were developed.