Assessment of heart disease knowledge and risk factors among first-generation Filipino Americans residing in Southern Nevada: A cross-sectional survey

Abstract

Objective: Filipino Americans are the second largest Asian subgroup in the United States and heart disease is their leading cause of death. Despite this, they remain an invisible minority and experience health disparities in cardiovascular health. Prior to implementing and designing health promotion programs, it is important to assess their level of knowledge about heart disease and to identify their risk factors. Purpose: We examined the baseline knowledge of heart disease among first-generation Filipino Americans and the risk factors prevalent among them. Method: A convenience sample of 300 Filipino Americans aged 35-75 years completed the Heart Disease Fact Questionnaire to assess their knowledge of heart disease and a researcher-developed questionnaire to assess the heart disease risk factors. Data were collected in Southern Nevada in the fall of 2011. Descriptive statistics, correlations, and multiple regression were used for data analysis. Result: The sample had an average knowledge score of 82.81% out of a maximum correct score of 100%. The risk factors prevalent among them included: hypertension (47.7%), diabetes (14%), dyslipidemia (27.7%), overweight (36.7%), abdominal obesity (80.6%), smoking (11.7%), and lack of exercise (48%). Conclusion: Heart disease is the leading cause of death among Filipino Americans. In this study, Filipino Americans had adequate knowledge of heart disease but many reported having risk factors. Understanding the behavioral determinants of heart disease knowledge and specific risk factors is helpful in designing effective health prevention strategies. Early screening targeting the younger generation is also important to help detect the risk factors in their earliest stages. The screening results may also induce individuals to take action.

Knowledge on Risk Factors of Coronary Heart Disease among Middle Aged Administrative Staffs of Kathmandu

“…Socio demographic findings of this study revealed that 38.5% of the respondents were of age group 40-46 years and mean age of the respondents was 49.78 years which is similar to the study conducted in Southern Nevada which showed majority of the study subjects of age group 42-49 years with the mean age of 50.8 years (Angosta & Speck, 2014).…”

The Relationship Between Knowledge About Coronary Heart Diseases Risk Factors and Health-promoting Lifestyle

“…The obtained results indicated that the knowledge of 57.51% of the study participants was at a good level. In a recent study, the knowledge of 82% of the participants was reported as good (Angosta & Speck 2014). Some other studies have revealed similar results (Wagner et al 2005;Baldwin 2014) .…”

“…A health-promoting lifestyle mean score in people with a history of hypertension, cholesterol, heart disease, cigarette smoking, and alcohol consumption was not significantly different from those without these risk factors (Mousavian 2014). Another study indicated a significant relationship between type 2 diabetes mellitus and a health-promoting lifestyle (Angosta & Speck 2014).…”

“…The obtained data revealed that people's knowledge on coronary heart disease risk factors is associated with variables, such as age, marital status, occupation, economic status, as well as histories of high serum lipid and alcohol consumption. According to prior research, marital status, education, and age are the best predictors of awareness on heart disease risk factors (Angosta & Speck, 2014). In another study, high income, higher education, and female gender mainly influenced the awareness of people about heart disease risk factors (Wagner et al 2005).…”

The Association Between Healthy Lifestyle Behaviors and Level of Knowledge About Cardiovascular Disease Risk Factors in People With Type 2 Diabetes

“…(12) Toplumun kardiyovasküler hastalıklar risk faktörlerine yönelik bilgi düzeylerinin incelendiği çalışmalarda ise, katılımcıların orta (29,(31)(32)(33) ya da iyi düzeyde bilgiye sahip oldukları belirlenmiştir. (34) Çalışma bulgusu, bireylerin kardiyovasküler hastalıkların önlenmesinde ve tedavisinde kısmen bilgi sahibi olduklarını göstermesi açısından olumlu olarak değerlendirilmektedir. Bu bulgu, kardiyovasküler hastalıklardan korunmak için bireylerin sağlıklı yaşam biçimi davranışlarını benimsemesi ve uygulaması noktasında yarar sağlayabilir.…”