Abstract:
The purpose of the study is to find the relationship between the accessibility to information and the knowledge of the risk factors and preventive behaviours of CVDs and the practice of CVD related healthy behaviours among individuals above 30 y of age in the Maldives capital, Male'. The study also describes socio-demographic characteristics, source of information on cardiovascular disease risk factors and preventive behaviours. A cross sectional descriptive and analytical study with a self-administered anonymous questionnaire with a systematic sampling method, using one adult per household. The results showed that about 52% of the respondents had moderate knowledge about prevention and risk factors of CVD. The survey showed that the knowledge had a significant association with marital status (p<0.004) and occupation (p<0.001). Respondents from the fishing and agriculture sector had less knowledge. There was a significant association between level of knowledge score and rate of physical activities. And the main source of information on CVD risk factors and preventive behaviours were from TV. There was a significant association between accessibility to information on CVD and knowledge on CVD risk factors and preventive behaviours. From the results obtained from the study it is showed that only 12.1% of the respondents were consuming the recommended amount of fruits and vegetables, only 26.1% of the respondents were practicing 30 minutes of vigorous physical activity at least 3 times a week and 25.6% of the respondents were current smokers. However, Majority of respondents intend to change their behaviour to healthier one. 92.5% of the respondents intended to eat more fruits and vegetables, 92.1% of the respondents and among the current smokers 69.6% intended to quit smoking. Men tend to practice more of the recommended level, Majority of younger age group (30-40 years) was following recommended level of physical activity and also people with history of CVD related illness were also following the recommended rate of physical activity. The results also showed that respondents with history of medical illness were eating more fruits and vegetables. There was a highly significant association between gender (p<0.001) and occupation (p<0.001) and consumption of tobacco. Males and people employed in fishing and agriculture were smoking more.
