Cardiovascular Diseases Healthy Diet Related Knowledge among a Sample of the General Population in Egypt

Marwa M. Zein; Ahmed Taher Mahmoud; Ahmed Sallam El Hawary; Nelly Hegazy

doi:10.3889/oamjms.2021.7541

Authors

Marwa M. Zein Department of Public Health and Community Medicine, Faculty of Medicine, Cairo University, Cairo, Egypt https://orcid.org/0000-0001-7908-4021
Ahmed Taher Mahmoud Department of Critical Care Medicine, Faculty of Medicine, Cairo University, Cairo, Egypt
Ahmed Sallam El Hawary Intern Doctor, Qena Faculty of Medicine, South Valley University, Qena, Egypt https://orcid.org/0000-0003-1621-3150
Nelly Hegazy Department of Public Health and Community Medicine, Faculty of Medicine, Helwan University, Helwan, Egypt

DOI:

https://doi.org/10.3889/oamjms.2021.7541

Keywords:

Nutritional knowledge, Cardiovascular disease, Population, Egypt

Abstract

BACKGROUND: Little is known about the extent of Egyptians’ awareness regarding the relationship between nutrition and cardiovascular health.

AIM: This study seeks to evaluate people’s awareness through an online cross-sectional survey to determine the knowledge gaps.

METHODS: This cross-sectional study was conducted through an online survey using a convenience sampling technique. The participation required being an adult Egyptian (≥18 years old). A pre-tested electronic-questionnaire included three sections: Socio-demographic data, a self-reported history of chronic and cardiac diseases, and 15 questions addressing dietary risk factors and protective factors. Six hundred and thirty-two participants completed the questionnaire.

RESULTS: The mean age was 28 ± 8 years. More than 80% of the participants were males. Of 632 participants, 233 had poor awareness. The median knowledge percent score was 62 with interquartile range (52, 71). About 85.4% of the participants were ready to change their eating habits and follow a healthy diet to maintain their health. The participants were interested in knowing more about healthy food and how to prepare healthy balanced meals (71.7% and 62.2%, respectively). Females, university-educated, employed, and Upper Egypt residents demonstrated deep awareness (p-value = 0.02, 0.011, 0.05, and 0.012, respectively). Intriguingly, friends and social media were the primary sources of nutritional knowledge.

CONCLUSION: The participants’ knowledge is poor regarding the relation between nutrition and cardiovascular health. This study emphasizes the urgent need to raise public awareness as a precaution against cardiovascular diseases.

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