title: [Cardiovascular diseases risk factors knowledge among soldiers of the Polish army].
abstract: Cardiovascular diseases (CVDs) are the main cause of death and disability in Poland. There are many risk factors of CVD which are modifiable due to preventive strategies. Knowledge about these factors among population at risk of CVD is the most important condition for success of them.
  
  
  OBJECTIVE
  To evaluate the knowledge of CVD risk factors among soldiers of the Polish Army and try to identify a demographic factors influenced on them.
  
  
  METHODS
  Authors investigated the level of knowledge about CVD risk factors among 644 soldiers (aged between 18 to 62 years) using the special questionnaire. Whole group was analyzed according to a place of origin: city, town and village and according to a function: professionals and conscripts.
  
  
  RESULTS
  Soldiers achieved a total score of 58.4% correct answers. Commonly known risk factors of CVD (average 82% of correct answers) in studied group were: obesity, tobacco smoking, high level of cholesterol and hypertension. Knowledge about above risk factors was significantly higher (p < 0.01) than about other. Lesser known risk factors (average 54% of correct answers) were: male gender, abnormal diet, sedentary lifestyle, family history of CVDs, diabetes, family history of heart infarction below 55 yrs and peripheral atherosclerosis. residents achieved 64.5% correct answers, town--61.5%, and village--58%. Professionals achieved 65.1% vs. 58.8% for conscripts. The level of knowledge about CVD risk factors are significantly higher among professionals than in urban population.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  Our data confirm the need of continuation and developing new CVDs preventive strategies in Poland, especially among poor educated and village populations. There is a need to emphasize the role of lesser known, modifiable CVD risk factors (e.g., obesity, sedentary lifestyle) in existing and future health programs.
authors.affiliation: Wojskowy Instytut Medyczny w Warszawie, Klinika Kardiologii CSK MON. rolszewski@wim.mil.pl
authors.forename: Robert
authors.initials: R
authors.lastname: Olszewski
authors.forename: Radosław
authors.initials: R
authors.lastname: Grabysa
authors.forename: Przemysław J
authors.initials: PJ
authors.lastname: Kwasiborski
authors.forename: Tomasz
authors.initials: T
authors.lastname: Makowski
authors.forename: Janusz
authors.initials: J
authors.lastname: Warmiński
authors.forename: Robert
authors.initials: R
authors.lastname: Szczechowicz
authors.forename: Leszek
authors.initials: L
authors.lastname: Kubik
mesh_terms: D000328:Adult; D017677:Age Distribution; D002318:Cardiovascular Diseases / Q000453:epidemiology* / Q000517:prevention & control*; D015984:Causality; D015897:Comorbidity; D007722:Health Knowledge, Attitudes, Practice; D006801:Humans; D006937:Hypercholesterolemia / Q000453:epidemiology; D006973:Hypertension / Q000453:epidemiology; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D008889:Military Personnel / Q000706:statistics & numerical data*; D009765:Obesity / Q000453:epidemiology; D011044:Poland / Q000453:epidemiology; D011159:Population Surveillance; D012307:Risk Factors; D012907:Smoking / Q000453:epidemiology; D011795:Surveys and Questionnaires