Perceptions of risk of coronary heart disease among people living with type 2 diabetes mellitus

AIMS: Our aim is to assess perception of risk of developing coronary heart disease and to examine its associations with individuals' characteristics and health behaviours among Omani people with type 2 diabetes mellitus (T2DM). BACKGROUND: Evaluating perceptions of being at risk of developing a disease may give insight into health promotion behaviours. People with diabetes are at high risk of coronary heart disease. The management of diabetes mellitus should include prevention and control of coronary heart disease. DESIGN: A cross-sectional correlational study was conducted. METHODS: A convenience sample of 160 adults with T2DM was invited to participate in this study between November 2014 and March 2015. Descriptive and regression analyses were performed to examine associations between study variables. RESULTS: Perception of risk of developing coronary heart disease was significantly associated with low educational level (β = 0.191, P < .05), low income (β = 0.201, P < .05), and high level of knowledge about diabetes mellitus (β = 0.200, P < .05). People with T2DM who perceived coronary heart disease as having few moderate known outcomes and consequences reported consuming healthy diet more frequently. CONCLUSION: Teaching people with T2DM about the risk of developing coronary heart disease is essential as it could motivate them to perform health promotion behaviours, which may assist in controlling and reducing coronary heart disease.