Transition in public knowledge of risk factors of cardiovascular disease in an Iranian general population: A latent transition analysis (LTA) on a longitudinal large community-based educational prevention program.
BACKGROUND
Cardiovascular diseases (CVD) are the second leading cause of death, after accidents, in Iran. This study was performed to assess the change in levels of knowledge about 8 risk factors of CVD and its associated determinants the Iranian general population.


METHODS
The current repeated cross-sectional study included 3014 people in 2004, 3012 in 2005, and 4719 in 2007, aged older than 19 years. Knowledge about 8 risk factors (high blood pressure, nutrition, physical inactivity, smoking, diabetes, heredity, stress, and obesity) as the major causes of CVD was evaluated using latent transition analysis (LTA).


RESULTS
The most widely known CVD risk factors were nutrition and physical inactivity followed by stress. In addition, old age, low level of education, male gender and low socioeconomic status (SES) level were the significant determinants of low knowledge levels of CVD risk factors. Besides, individuals' knowledge of CVD risk factors increased across the time.


CONCLUSIONS
Public knowledge of CVD risk factors has increased; however significant gaps continue to exist, particularly among the elderly, less-educated people, people in low socioeconomic status level and men. Future intensified educational efforts by policymakers are necessary for improving knowledge of CVD, particularly among high-risk groups.
PhD Student, Department of Biostatistics, School of Medical Sciences, Tarbiat Modares University, Tehran, Iran.
Mahsa
M
Rafiee Alhossaini
Instructor, Department of Biostatistics and Epidemiology, School of Health, Isfahan University of Medical Sciences, Isfahan, Iran.
Akbar
A
Hassanzadeh
Associate Professor, Department of Biostatistics and Epidemiology AND Cardiac Rehabilitation Research Center, Cardiovascular Research Institute, Isfahan University of Medical Sciences, Isfahan, Iran.
Awat
A
Feizi
Professor, Isfahan Cardiovascular Research Center, Cardiovascular Research Institute, Isfahan University of Medical Sciences, Isfahan, Iran.
Nizal
N
Sarrafzadegan
Cardiovascular Disease; Knowledge; Latent Transition Analysis; Prevention; Risk Factors