Comparison of level of cardiovascular disease risk factors and level of risk factor knowledge in Eskisehir

The results of completed first stage of Healthy Hearts Project of Eskisehir (ESKAP), which is planned as three stages, were presented. The aim of this paper was to compare the risk levels evaluated according to Framingham risk scale and Cardiovascular Disease Risk Factors Knowledge Level (CRF-KL).

 CRF-KL Scale (for scale reliability: Cronbach’s alpha 0.768) was used to measure Risk Factors Knowledge Level. Participants in the study were given Attendance Form to ESKAP Project indicating their risks determined according to Framingham risk scale on cardiovascular diseases. <10% ten-year CHD risk was grouped as “low”, 10-20% as “medium” and >20% as “high”.

 In a study group of 2,766  people, it was determined that while 74.1% of men had low, 20.3% had medium and 5.6% had high risk; 83.5% of women had low, 13.7% had medium and 2.8% had high risks according to CHD risk. Whereas in both genders there was no one under high risk in 20-39 age group, it was found as 18.5% in 60-69 age group. Risk was increasing with age and was higher in men (p<0.000).
In those with low risk, average CRF-KL Scale score (X±SD=19.07± 5.22) was higher than the groups with medium and high risks (X±SD=18.15± 6.28) (F: 5.229, p:0.05). Average scores of women (in women; X±SD=19.09±5.47, in men; X±SD=18.65±5.41) were found higher (t: 2.105, p:0.03).
Knowledge level is significant in maintaining low risk of Cardiovascular Diseases.