Assessment of knowledge on risk factors and the risk status of coronary artery disease (CAD) among premenopausal women in a selected rural community at Mangalore

Coronary artery disease is progressively becoming a major cause of morbidity and mortality in women generally after menopause. CAD is the leading cause of death and disability in women after menopause. The aim of the study was to determine the level of knowledge on risk factors of coronary artery disease and to identify the risk status of coronary artery disease among premenopausal women. A descriptive research design was used for this study. The sample comprised of 100 women of the selected community in Mangalore. The sample was selected by purposive sampling technique. Data was collected using a structured knowledge questionnaire and Sr. Nancy Risk Status Assessment Tool. The data was analysed using descriptive and inferential statistics. The overall knowledge about CAD was poor (38.12%), and had poor knowledge in the areas of anatomy and physiology (37.67%), risk factors of CAD (37.08%) and prevention (29.78%). Most of the subjects (85%) had moderate risk status score for CAD and the risk factors like physical activity, dietary habits, and personality contributed to be at high risk for CAD. There was no correlation between knowledge score and their risk status score for CAD among premenopausal women (r=0.015, p=0.05). There was significant association between knowledge score and demographic variables like age (c2 =7.174, P=0.007) and educational qualification (c2=13.247, P=0.001) of premenopausal women at .05 level of significance. The premenopausal women in the community had poor knowledge and they had moderate risk status for CAD. There was no correlation between knowledge score and their risk status score for CAD among premenopausal women. Demographic variables like age and educational qualification had significant influence on the knowledge regarding CAD among premenopausal women. Creating awareness among premenopausal women on risk factors and prevention on CAD would reduce the risk of CAD.