Knowledge, Attitude and Performance of Birjand City Veterans and their Wives about Cardiovascular Diseases Risk Factors

Cardiovascular diseases are one of the most preventable chronic diseases. Sufficient knowledge and attitude regarding cardiovascular risk factors have a significant role in the prevention of these diseases. The aim of this study was to assess the knowledge, attitude and performance of veterans and their wives to the cardiovascular diseases risk factors. This descriptive cross-sectional study was done in 2011 on 103 veterans and their wives. The sampling method was convenience sampling. Data collection tool was the researcher-made questionnaire consisted of 28 questions that measured three dimensions of knowledge, attitude, and performance associated with cardiovascular disease risk factors. Data entered into SPSS 15 software and was analyzed by independent T-test, ANOVA and Pearson correlation. Mean of knowledge score 17.40±2.93 (of Max 20), attitude score 34.28±5.44 (of Max 50) and performance score was 10.18±2.28 (of Max 16). Knowledge level of 81.6% of people was good, attitude level of 70.7% of people was moderate and performance level of 63.3% of people was in the moderate level. There was no difference between the mean of knowledge, attitude and performance scores of the two groups of veterans and their wives. There was a relationship between the attitude and performance of veterans and their wives regarding cardiovascular diseases risk factors. The knowledge level of the most veterans and their wives about cardiovascular diseases risk factors are at good level and the attitude and performance level of most of them are moderate. Veterans and their wives have good knowledge about cardiovascular diseases risk factors; however, their performance level is moderate.