Assessment of Knowledge and Awareness Regarding Coronary Artery Disease Risk Factors Among the Saudi Arabian Population: A Cross-Sectional Study

Eman A Elsheikh; Osama H Alqahtani; Haneen M Aljedani; Saleh M AlKulayb; Omar M Bamousa; Rana M Althobaiti; Lama A Alharbi; Mohammed M Alqahtani; Osama F Al-Amri; Hadi S Alyami

doi:10.7759/cureus.52299

Assessment of Knowledge and Awareness Regarding Coronary Artery Disease Risk Factors Among the Saudi Arabian Population: A Cross-Sectional Study

Cureus. 2024 Jan 15;16(1):e52299. doi: 10.7759/cureus.52299. eCollection 2024 Jan.

Authors

Affiliations

¹ Internal Medicine, King Faisal University, Hofuf, SAU.
² General Practice, Maternity and Children Hospital, Dammam, SAU.
³ General Practice, Ibn Sina National College for Medical Studies, Jeddah, SAU.
⁴ General Practice, Najran University, Najran, SAU.
⁵ General Practice, King Abdulaziz University, Jeddah, SAU.
⁶ General Practice, Taif University, Taif, SAU.
⁷ General Practice, Qassim University, Qassim, SAU.
⁸ General Practice, King Faisal University, Hofuf, SAU.

Abstract

Background Coronary artery disease constitutes a critical public health issue due to its widespread prevalence, placing a significant burden on healthcare systems and posing considerable challenges to the well-being of the population. Limited recent data on coronary artery disease awareness in Saudi Arabia underscores the need for updated information to inform preventive programs. Methodology A cross-sectional questionnaire survey was conducted from August 2021 to October 2022, targeting individuals aged 18 and above in Saudi Arabia. The online survey collected demographic data and assessed knowledge and awareness of coronary artery disease risk factors. A scoring system categorized participants as possessing high, medium, or low levels of awareness and knowledge. Data analysis involved a multivariable regression approach to explore associations. Results The study included a total of 1,409 participants, representing a diverse demographic distribution. Knowledge scores revealed 70.3% high, 27.4% medium, and 2.3% low levels, while awareness scores showed 59.9% high, 32.9% medium, and 7.2% low levels. The study identified significant associations between knowledge scores and gender (p = 0.003) and age (p = 0.001). Similarly, awareness scores demonstrated associations with gender (p = 0.001), age (p = 0.001), marital status (p = 0.003), educational qualification (p = 0.036), and occupation (p = 0.001). These findings underscore the multifaceted nature of factors influencing awareness and knowledge levels. Conclusions The study highlights a strong foundation of knowledge and awareness among the Saudi population regarding coronary artery disease risk factors, indicating a positive starting point for preventive initiatives. However, targeted programs addressing regional variations and enhancing knowledge are recommended to improve early detection and treatment of coronary artery disease risk factors.

Keywords: cardiovascular disease; coronary artery disease; knowledge assessment; obesity; public awareness.