title: Prevention and Control Program for Cardiovascular Diseases in Turkish Population: PRE-CONTROL Study Group.
abstract: BACKGROUND
  Cardiovascular disease (CVD) is the leading cause of death throughout the world. Despite its high prevalence, the atherosclerotic process can be slowed and its consequences markedly reduced by preventive measures. The lack of risk factor awareness is a major barrier.
  
  
  OBJECTIVE
  We aimed to assess total CV risk, determine the knowledge and awareness regarding CVD, and evaluate the effectiveness of education program in urban population of Turkey.
  
  
  METHODS
  A 24-item questionnaire was used to detect CV risk factors and the awareness of participants about CVD. The feedback data for the education program were collected by either questionnaires or individual interviews with participants. For comparison of total CVD risk in men and women in different age groups, a sample t test was used. The level of statistical significance was set at p < 0.05.
  
  
  RESULTS
  The prevalence of hyperlipidemia was established to be 41.3%. Nearly one-quarter of the women and one-third of the men were smokers (p < 0.001). One-quarter of the responders had a history of hypertension (men: 21.5%, women: 18.6%), and one-tenth were diabetic. The high CV risk rate was more pronounced among men (p < 0.01) and those with low socioeconomic level (p < 0.01). Awareness regarding CV risk factors following the educational program increased from 6.6% to 12.7% for high blood pressure, from 3.9% to 9.2% for diabetes mellitus, and from 10.2% to 15.1% for elevated cholesterol levels. All the increases were statistically significant. The educational program significantly increased the awareness of CVD and risk factors.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  The prevalence of CV risk factors was higher in low socioeconomic level groups. The knowledge and awareness of the risk factors for CVD before the education program was very low in our study group. The awareness of CVD and risk factors significantly increased following our education programs.
authors.affiliation: Department of Cardiology, Dokuz Eylül University, İzmir, Turkey.
authors.forename: Ömer
authors.initials: Ö
authors.lastname: Kozan
authors.affiliation: Department of Cardiology, Ege University, İzmir, Turkey. Electronic address: mehdi_zoghi@hotmail.com.
authors.forename: Mehdi
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Zoghi
authors.affiliation: Department of Cardiology, Dokuz Eylül University, İzmir, Turkey.
authors.forename: Oktay
authors.initials: O
authors.lastname: Ergene
authors.affiliation: Unit of Nephrology, Department of Internal Medicine, Hacettepe University, Ankara, Turkey.
authors.forename: Mustafa
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Arıcı
authors.affiliation: Nephrology Department, Gazi University, Beşevler, Ankara, Turkey.
authors.forename: Ülver
authors.initials: Ü
authors.lastname: Derici
authors.affiliation: Department of Nerurology, Florence Nightingale Hospital, İstanbul, Turkey.
authors.forename: Göksel
authors.initials: G
authors.lastname: Bakaç
authors.affiliation: Department of Endocrinology and Metabolic Diseases, Ibn-i Sina Hospital, Ankara, Turkey.
authors.forename: Sevim
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Güllü
authors.affiliation: Department of Internal Medicine, Hacettepe University Medical School, Ankara, Turkey.
authors.forename: Gülay
authors.initials: G
authors.lastname: Sain Güven