Atherosclerosis is responsible for 50% of all death
in Weston societies and it is a chronic inflammatory
disease of arteries1
. Heart attacks, stroke and peripheral
arterial diseases are developed by atherosclerotic
diseases. The incidence is difficult to measure accurately
due to its asymptomatic condition. Over 370,000 death
occurs annually due to coronary heart disease in the
modernized society. Men over 45 years are more
predominant to develop plague rupture and it
contributes 75% of myocardial infarctions1
. 90%
cardiovascular disease related death can be prevented
by lifestyle changes.
A descriptive study was conducted to evaluate the
knowledge of younger adults on prevention of
atherosclerosis in outpatient department, Baptist
hospital, Bangalore. Hundred voluntaries are enrolled
to the study and prior consent was taken.
The mean age of the study participant are 29.4 ±
5.2 years and 53.0% were males and 47.0% were
females. 34.0% are graduates. In the regards to level of
knowledge it was classified as adequate, moderate and
Inadequate and the result is 27.0%, 56.0% and 17.0%
respectively. The chi-square value of χ
2 = 4.29 (p=0.116)
between Educational status and level of knowledge and
χ
2 = 4.76 (p=0.092) between gender and level of
knowledge shows, there is no statistically significant
associations. Pearson correlation coefficient was
calculated for age and income with knowledge. The r =
0.08 (p=0.434) of age and knowledge, r = -0.05 (p=0.632)
of income and knowledge both shows negligible
correlation with no significance.
Conclusion
This study concludes that the knowledge on
prevention of atherosclerosis among young adults are
moderate and there is no relationship was observed
with knowledge and educational status, gender, age and
income. This result may suggest to have awareness
programme on prevention of atherosclerosis among
young adults to improve their lifestyle by enhancing the
knowledge.
Keywords : Athrosclerosis, Younger Adults, Cardiovascular Disease, Knowledge On Prevention.