title: Knowledge of risk factors for diabetes or cardiovascular disease (CVD) is poor among individuals with risk factors for CVD.
abstract: BACKGROUND
  There is limited evidence on whether having pre-existing cardiovascular disease (CVD) or risk factors for CVD such as diabetes, ensures greater knowledge of risk factors important for motivating preventative behaviours. Our objective was to compare knowledge among the Australian public participating in a health check program and their risk status.
  
  
  METHODS
  Data from the Stroke Foundation 'Know your numbers' program were used. Staff in community pharmacies provided opportunistic health checks (measurement of blood pressure and diabetes risk assessment) among their customers. Participants were categorised: 1) CVD ± risk of CVD: history of stroke, heart disease or kidney disease, and may have risk factors; 2) risk of CVD only: reported having high blood pressure, high cholesterol, diabetes or atrial fibrillation; and 3) CVD risk free (no CVD or risk of CVD). Multivariable logistic regression analyses were performed including adjustment for age and sex.
  
  
  RESULTS
  Among 4,647 participants, 12% had CVD (55% male, 85% aged 55+ years), 47% were at risk of CVD (40% male, 72% 55+ years) and 41% were CVD risk free (33% male, 27% 55+ years). Participants with CVD (OR: 0.66; 95% CI: 0.55, 0.80) or risk factors for CVD (OR: 0.65; 95% CI: 0.57, 0.73) had poorer knowledge of the risk factors for diabetes/CVD compared to those who were CVD risk free. After adjustment, only participants with risk factors for CVD (OR: 0.80; 95% CI: 0.69, 0.93) had poorer knowledge. Older participants (55+ years) and men had poorer knowledge of diabetes/CVD risk factors and complications of diabetes.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  Participants with poorer knowledge of risk factors were older, more often male or were at risk of developing CVD compared with those who were CVD risk free. Health education in these high risk groups should be a priority, as diabetes and CVD are increasing in prevalence throughout the world.
authors.affiliation: Stroke and Ageing Research, School of Clinical Sciences at Monash Health, Department of Medicine, Monash University, Clayton, Victoria, Australia.|Stroke Division: Public Health, the Florey Institute of Neurosciences and Mental Health, Heidelberg, Victoria, Australia.
authors.forename: Monique F
authors.identifier: http://orcid.org/0000-0002-3375-287X
authors.initials: MF
authors.lastname: Kilkenny
authors.affiliation: Stroke Foundation, Brisbane, Queensland, Australia.
authors.forename: Libby
authors.initials: L
authors.lastname: Dunstan
authors.affiliation: Stroke and Ageing Research, School of Clinical Sciences at Monash Health, Department of Medicine, Monash University, Clayton, Victoria, Australia.
authors.forename: Doreen
authors.initials: D
authors.lastname: Busingye
authors.affiliation: Stroke and Ageing Research, School of Clinical Sciences at Monash Health, Department of Medicine, Monash University, Clayton, Victoria, Australia.|Stroke Division: Public Health, the Florey Institute of Neurosciences and Mental Health, Heidelberg, Victoria, Australia.
authors.forename: Tara
authors.identifier: http://orcid.org/0000-0003-3332-5357
authors.initials: T
authors.lastname: Purvis
authors.affiliation: Stroke and Ageing Research, School of Clinical Sciences at Monash Health, Department of Medicine, Monash University, Clayton, Victoria, Australia.
authors.forename: Megan
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Reyneke
authors.affiliation: Stroke Foundation, Melbourne, Victoria, Australia.
authors.forename: Mary
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Orgill
authors.affiliation: Stroke and Ageing Research, School of Clinical Sciences at Monash Health, Department of Medicine, Monash University, Clayton, Victoria, Australia.|Stroke Division: Public Health, the Florey Institute of Neurosciences and Mental Health, Heidelberg, Victoria, Australia.|The University of Melbourne, Victoria, Australia.
authors.forename: Dominique A
authors.initials: DA
authors.lastname: Cadilhac
mesh_terms: D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D001281:Atrial Fibrillation / Q000453:epidemiology; D001315:Australia; D001794:Blood Pressure / Q000502:physiology; D002318:Cardiovascular Diseases / Q000453:epidemiology*; D003920:Diabetes Mellitus / Q000453:epidemiology*; D005260:Female; D006266:Health Education; D007722:Health Knowledge, Attitudes, Practice; D006331:Heart Diseases / Q000453:epidemiology; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D015999:Multivariate Analysis; D015995:Prevalence; D012307:Risk Factors; D020521:Stroke / Q000453:epidemiology*