Women’s Knowledge of Coronary Heart Disease Risk Factors and Prevention at Primary Care Level, Eastern Saudi Arabia. -

Background: Worldwide, coronary heart disease (CHD) has an increasing role as a major cause of morbidity and mortality. Women's knowledge about CHD risk factors is inadequate. Objectives: The aim of this study was to determine knowledge about coronary heart disease risk factors and preventive measures among women attending primary health care centers in Alkhobar city, Eastern Saudi Arabia. Methods: A cross-sectional study was conducted among a random sample of 700 Saudi females ages 18 years and above, selected from five primary health care centers in Alkhobar city. Knowledge about coronary heart disease risk factors and preventive measures was evaluated by an interviewer-administered questionnaire. Results: Regarding coronary heart disease risk factors, high consumption of fatty food was mentioned by 254 (36.3%) of the women, followed by smoking (249; 35.6%). Hypertension, diabetes mellitus and lack of physical exercise were mentioned by less than 30.0% of the women [202 (28.9%), 152 (21.7%) and 96 (13.7%) respectively]. Similarly the main preventive measures mentioned by women were low fat diet and smoking cessation [404 (57.7%) and 343 (49.1%) respectively]. Education, income, occupation, self-reported history of coronary heart disease and obesity were strong predictors of women’s knowledge of coronary heart disease risk factors and preventive measures (p