Background: the prevalence of cardiometabolic diseases (CMDs), such as type 2 diabetes mellitus (T2DM) and hypertension, is increasing rapidly in developing countries. This study aims to assess the awareness of CMD among a selected population in Vietnam.
Method: a cross-sectional random sample of 402 Vietnamese citizens in two districts (Thu Duc and 12th district) in Ho Chi Minh City were interviewed. Data on knowledge, attitude, and preventive behavior (KAB) of the two conditions were collected through an interview-based questionnaire.
Results: the mean (± SD) age was 47.75 (± 15.61) years, and around 60.2% were female. Multiple logistic regression was performed to explore the association of sociodemographic factors, disease status, and awareness of the CMD. Females showed better awareness than males (OR = 3.89 (1.28-11.78)), and those with T2DM and hypertension had a significantly better awareness (OR = 8.33 (2.44-28.37)) than those without CMD.
Conclusion: the awareness of CMD in our sample was poor. An extensive effort to increase awareness of CMD prevention is needed. Future studies and interventions can be developed more efficiently by targeting the right population.
Keywords: awareness; hypertension; prevention; type 2 diabetes.