title: Gaps in awareness of peripheral arterial disease in Sri Lanka: a cross sectional study.
abstract: Peripheral arterial disease (PAD) is an emerging problem in Sri Lanka, particularly with the ageing population. A considerable number of patients are detected at a late stage with severe limb ischemia or chronic non-healing leg ulceration. Public awareness about PAD is important in developing preventive strategies.
  
  
  
  A cross sectional study was conducted to assess awareness of PAD among adults aged 40-74 years in a district in Sri Lanka. In total, 2912 adults were selected for the study using a multistage probability proportionate to size sampling technique. Data were collected by an interviewer-administered questionnaire. Participants who were aware of PAD were asked about common risk factors, possible consequences of untreated PAD, and sources of information. Multivariate logistic regression analysis was used to assess the independent predictors of PAD awareness.
  
  
  
  We found that 4.1 % of participants were aware of PAD (95 % confidence interval: 3.4-4.8), which was significantly lower than awareness of other cardiovascular diseases such as cerebrovascular accidents (67.3 %) and myocardial infarction (57.6 %) (p < 0.001). Being male, an urban resident, and having a higher level of education were independent predictors of high PAD awareness.
  
  
  
  Our findings suggest that a comprehensive PAD awareness program that covers risk factors, consequences, and preventative strategies is needed to enhance public awareness of PAD.
authors.affiliation: Public Health Complex, 6th Floor, 555/5, Ministry of Health, Elvitigala Mawatha, Narahenpita, Colombo, 10100, Sri Lanka. Janaka.weragoda@gmail.com.
authors.forename: Janaka
authors.initials: J
authors.lastname: Weragoda
authors.affiliation: Department of Community Medicine, Faculty of Medicine, University of Colombo, No.25, Kynsey Road, Colombo, 008000, Sri Lanka.
authors.forename: Manuj C
authors.initials: MC
authors.lastname: Weerasinghe
authors.affiliation: Department of Community Medicine, Faculty of Medicine, University of Colombo, No.25, Kynsey Road, Colombo, 008000, Sri Lanka.
authors.forename: Rohini
authors.initials: R
authors.lastname: Seneviratne
authors.affiliation: Department of Surgery, Faculty of Medicine, University of Colombo, No.25, Kynsey Road, Colombo, 00800, Sri Lanka.
authors.forename: S M
authors.initials: SM
authors.lastname: Wijeyaratne
mesh_terms: D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D003430:Cross-Sectional Studies; D005260:Female; D007722:Health Knowledge, Attitudes, Practice; D006801:Humans; D016015:Logistic Models; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D015999:Multivariate Analysis; D058729:Peripheral Arterial Disease / Q000523:psychology*; D012307:Risk Factors; D013188:Sri Lanka; D020521:Stroke / Q000523:psychology
keywords: Cardiovascular disease; Cross sectional study; Peripheral arterial disease; Public awareness; Sri Lanka