ABSTRACT
Background Coronary artery disease constitutes a critical public health issue due to its widespread prevalence, placing a significant burden on healthcare systems and posing considerable challenges to the well-being of the population. Limited recent data on coronary artery disease awareness in Saudi Arabia underscores the need for updated information to inform preventive programs. Methodology A cross-sectional questionnaire survey was conducted from August 2021 to October 2022, targeting individuals aged 18 and above in Saudi Arabia. The online survey collected demographic data and assessed knowledge and awareness of coronary artery disease risk factors. A scoring system categorized participants as possessing high, medium, or low levels of awareness and knowledge. Data analysis involved a multivariable regression approach to explore associations. Results The study included a total of 1,409 participants, representing a diverse demographic distribution. Knowledge scores revealed 70.3% high, 27.4% medium, and 2.3% low levels, while awareness scores showed 59.9% high, 32.9% medium, and 7.2% low levels. The study identified significant associations between knowledge scores and gender (p = 0.003) and age (p = 0.001). Similarly, awareness scores demonstrated associations with gender (p = 0.001), age (p = 0.001), marital status (p = 0.003), educational qualification (p = 0.036), and occupation (p = 0.001). These findings underscore the multifaceted nature of factors influencing awareness and knowledge levels. Conclusions The study highlights a strong foundation of knowledge and awareness among the Saudi population regarding coronary artery disease risk factors, indicating a positive starting point for preventive initiatives. However, targeted programs addressing regional variations and enhancing knowledge are recommended to improve early detection and treatment of coronary artery disease risk factors.
ABSTRACT
Background Cardiopulmonary resuscitation (CPR) is a life-saving procedure that can be performed in many situations where a person's breathing or heartbeat has stopped, such as during a heart attack, suffocation, near drowning, or electrical injuries. Despite its importance, to our knowledge, no research has been conducted yet in our community on the differences in CPR knowledge, attitudes, and willingness between those with and without heart disease relatives. Objective This study aimed to assess the level of knowledge, attitude, and willingness of people with and without heart disease relatives to perform CPR in a case of cardiac arrest. Methods A descriptive cross-sectional study was carried out between July 2023 and October 2023 among the Saudi Arabia population using a self-administered online questionnaire focusing on the sociodemographic characteristics of participants and the level of knowledge, attitude toward CPR, and the willingness to perform CPR in a case of cardiac arrest. Results This study included 799 participants, with 331 males (41.4%) and 468 females (58.6%). Age distribution was mainly in the range of 18-25 years (241 participants, 30.2%). Geographically, the highest proportion was from the southern region (214 participants, 26.8%). The majority had a university degree (533 participants, 66.7%). Employment status varied, with 401 participants (50.2%) working outside the medical field. Monthly income showed that 297 (37.2%) had an income ranging from 2,000 to 10,000 SAR. The average daily sleep duration varied, with the majority (64.7%) reporting six to nine hours of sleep. Also, 44.2% of participants reported exercising. Regarding smoking status, 80.9% reported not smoking. A family history of heart disease was reported by 46.4% of participants, whereas 16.3% reported a personal diagnosis of heart disease. Regarding knowledge, 40.8% correctly identified when CPR should be performed. Only 40.4% correctly identified the first step in a CPR situation, and only 22.9% identified the correct sequence of steps for performing CPR. Additionally, only 66.5% correctly identified the emergency hotline number "Red Crescent." Furthermore, only 8.9% knew the correct compression/ventilation ratio for adults during CPR. As for the attitude, a significant percentage (65.0%) had not taken a CPR course. However, the majority (84.6%) expressed a strong desire to learn CPR. Interestingly, the participants showed a positive attitude toward CPR education. Among the participants, 53.9% responded that they performed CPR when encountering a situation that required it, while 46.1% did not. Regarding the participants' willingness to perform CPR on different individuals, the majority (74.1%) expressed their readiness to perform CPR whenever needed. Conclusion The findings demonstrated knowledge gaps, with misconceptions about CPR. However, participants generally expressed a positive attitude toward CPR education and a willingness to learn. Factors such as age showed a weak association with knowledge level, while gender, region, education, employment, and family history of heart disease did not significantly impact knowledge. The study highlighted the need for improved CPR education and awareness. Hence, we recommend CPR courses to be implemented as a graduation prerequisite. In addition to that, linking some government services to a first aid course would positively impact the general population's practices in CPR and other emergencies.