General public awareness about symptoms and risk factors of cardiovascular diseases in Riyadh city, Saudi Arabia

Abstract

Background: Cardiovascular diseases are considered as the most common cause of death worldwide; resulting in 50% of total deaths reported throughout the globe, and it’s expected to increase significantly. Cardiovascular diseases are also the most common cause of death in Saudi Arabia. The current study was aimed at determining the level of awareness regarding cardiovascular diseases among a random representative sample of Riyadh population, Saudi Arabia during the year 2017. Methodology: A cross-sectional study was carried out employing random sampling technique and with a sample size of 388 adults (age of 18 years to 50 years and more) among the general public excluding the medical staff. Results: Among the total subjects studied, half of the respondents reported good knowledge regarding the risk factors of cardiovascular diseases (46.6%) and a good level of awareness regarding prevention of cardiovascular diseases (71.2%), while a majority of them had (67.2%) poor knowledge regarding the clinical characteristics of cardiovascular diseases. Most respondents had a moderate level of knowledge of cardiovascular diseases (60.5%) and they belonged to a lower economic status group. Majority of the participants who had a moderate level of awareness of cardiovascular diseases were educated at university level (36.3%). Conclusion: Most participants had good knowledge regarding risk factors and prevention of cardiovascular diseases, the majority of participants had poor knowledge regarding the clinical characteristics of cardiovascular diseases. There was no statistically significant relationship found between economic status, education level, and the level of awareness of cardiovascular diseases.

Knowledge of Thyroid Disease Manifestations and Risk Factors Among Residents of the Eastern Province, Saudi Arabia

“…However, most of the participants were not aware that avoiding food containing a high amount of soy can be considered a preventive measure against the development of thyroid disorders. These results are consistent with what Alotaibi and coworkers have described in their article [ 1 ].…”

“…The thyroid gland is considered the largest endocrinal gland in the human body, located in the anterior aspect of the neck. It synthesizes and releases thyroid hormones that considerably influence the basal metabolic rate (BMR) and protein synthesis [ 1 ]. Furthermore, these hormones are also critical for children and adolescents' neurocognitive development and maintaining normal physiological functioning in adults [ 2 ].…”

“…Thyroid disorders are one the most under-diagnosed and neglected medical conditions, and the lack of general knowledge among patients may be of considerable concern [ 8 ]. A previously done study in 2019, the central region of Saudi Arabia (KSA), shows a general lack of knowledge in the region despite the increasing prevalence of the condition [ 1 ]. Knowledge of thyroid disorder can help many people who have thyroid dysfunction, and they are not aware of their problem [ 9 ].…”

Assessment of Knowledge and Attitude Regarding Thyroid Disorders among Population in Taif City, Saudi Arabia

“…There are two types of hypothyroidism: Primary abnormality in the thyroid gland itself or secondary/central hypothalamic or pituitary disease. About 99% of patients with hypothyroidism are diagnosed as Primary hypothyroidism [3].…”

“…For evaluate and screen thyroid functions and help to diagnose thyroid disorders, the most common test is a "thyroid function test panel" which is appear level of thyroid-stimulating hormone (TSH), Free T4 (thyroxine) and Free T3 or total T3 (triiodothyronine) [3].…”