Assessment of Knowledge on Prevention of Cardiovascular Disease among Middle Adulthood Clients in a Primary Health Center, Chennai: A Quasi-Experimental Study

Abstract

Background: The average age of individuals suffering from heart disease has significantly decreased, primarily due to changing lifestyle patterns. Modern lifestyles, characterized by physical inactivity, unhealthy diets, and stress, have become major contributors to the growing incidence of cardiovascular disease (CVD) among middle-aged adults in India.

Aim and Objectives: This study aimed to evaluate the effectiveness of the heart smart package in preventing cardiovascular disease among middle-aged adults in an urban community in Chennai. Objectives included assessing participants' baseline knowledge, implementing the Heart Smart Package, and measuring post-intervention improvements in knowledge.

Methodology: A quasi-experimental pre- and post-test design was adopted. Thirty participants aged 40–65 years were selected using non-probability purposive sampling. Baseline knowledge was assessed using a structured questionnaire. The intervention included a lecture-cum-discussion, demonstrations of heart-healthy exercises, and distribution of an educational booklet on CVD prevention. Data were analyzed using descriptive and inferential statistics, with significance set at P<0.05.

Results: Pre-test results showed that 53 participants (53%) had poor knowledge, 42 (42%) had moderate knowledge, and 5 (5%) had adequate knowledge. Post-test findings revealed significant improvement, with 7 participants (7%) having poor knowledge, 38 (38%) having moderate knowledge, and 55 (55%) demonstrating adequate knowledge. The overall mean score increased to 9.86 (SD = 4.885), and the difference between pre- and post-test knowledge levels was highly significant (t = 13.12, P < 0.05). Demographic variables such as family history of CVD (X² = 15.94) and smoking habits (X² = 15.94) showed statistically significant associations with the intervention's effectiveness.

Conclusion: The heart smart package effectively improved knowledge on CVD prevention among middle-aged adults. Its comprehensive approach, combining education, practical demonstrations, and reinforcement materials, significantly enhanced participants' understanding and could serve as a scalable community-based intervention for reducing the burden of cardiovascular disease.