Author/Editor		Žalar, Aleksandra
Title		Ocena seznanjenosti prebivalcev Slovenije z dejavniki tveganja nastanka bolezni srca in žilja
Translated title		The extent of knowledge with risk factors for cardiovascular diseases in the Slovene population
Type		članek
Source		Obz Zdrav Nege
Vol. and No.		Letnik 43, št. 2
Publication year		2009
Volume		str. 95-101
Language		slo
Abstract		Introduction: Knowledge and awareness of risk factors is essential to behaviour and lifestyle changes which should also be taken into consideration in planning effective preventive action. Presented in the paper is the analysis of the research findings on the extent of knowledge about risk factors for development of cardiovascular diseases. Methods: The data were collected through a questionnaire inquiring about the respondents' lifestyle and risk factors such as smoking, alcohol consumption, stress, physical inactivity, inadequate eating patterns, obesity, increased blood pressure, elevated cholesterol and blood sugar levels. 594 randomly chosen adults aged 18 - 64 years of age participated in the anonymous mail survey. A chi-square test was used in the analysis of the data collected. Results: The research results show that barely a good 40% of the respondents are familiar with all the risk factors included in the study. Obesity was recognised as a riskfactor by nearly 90% and elevated blood pressure only by 60% of the participants. Discussion: The research findings indicate that less than a half of the respondents are knowledgeable of the leading risk factors. According to several authors the awareness of the healthier lifestyle significantly reduces the risk of cardiovascular disease onset and development. Conclusion: Fairly poor knowledge and awareness of the population about the leading cardiovascular disease risk factors as also confirmed by the present study require additional targeted health promotion campaigns. The latter will help improve the knowledge on risk factors, early disease symptoms and the global healthy lifestyle patterns.
Descriptors		CARDIOVASCULAR DISEASES RISK FACTORS LIFE STYLE HEALTH EDUCATION QUESTIONNAIRES SLOVENIA