Examination of the relationship between mediterranean diet compliance level and knowledge level of cardiovascular diseases risk factor in patients applicable to Dicle University Family Medicine polyclinic

Introduction and Aim: A healthy diet prevents diseases with high mortality such as CVD and stroke. One of the most suitable and beneficial diets in terms of health is the Mediterranean diet. The aim of this study is to examine the Mediterranean diet compliance and cardiovascular disease risk factor knowledge level sof the patients who applied to the Dicle University Faculty of Medicine family medicine out patient clinicand the relation ships between them. Materials and Methods: Our research was designed as a descriptive-cross-sectional study and 337 people participated in the study. A 19-question sociodemographic data form, 14-question Mediterranean diet adherence scale (MEDAS) and 28-question cardiovascular disease risk factor knowledge level (CARRF-KL) scale were used with in the scope of the study. SPSS statistics 24.0 program was used for statistical analysis. Results: The total meanscore of ADBÖ of the participants in our study was 6.4±1.9 (4-12), and the mean score of the CARRF-Kl scale was determined as 20.4±3.8 (6-27). There was no statistically significant relationship between MEDAS and CARRF-KL scores. In our research, a statistically significant difference was found between the MEDAS score and the participants' gender, income, regular exercise status, screen time, searching for healthy nutrition, frequently comsuming fast-food, perception of being happy and regular sleeping conditions (respectively p=0.011, p=0.025, p=0.001, p<0.001, p=0.044, p<0.001, p=0.009, p=0.015). There was a statistically significant difference between the CARRF-KI score and the participants' gender, occupation, income, smokingstatus, consulting a doctor about health, searching for healthy nutrition, regular sleeping conditions (respectively p=0.005, p=0.023, p=0.022, p=0.014, p=0.044, p<0.001, p=0.002). A positive correlation was found between the age of the participants and the MEDAS score. Conclusion: Participants who were interested in and practiced healthy living and female participants had higher MEDAS and CARRF-KL scale scores compared to the others. The Mediterranean type of diet should be integratedin to daily life. Particular attention should be paid to olive oil consumption. In this direction, family physicians should guide individuals correctly. At the same time, it may be beneficial for family physicians to explain cardiovascular risk factors to their patients in a way they can under stand and to encourage them to practice the necessary healthy life style behaviors in this direction. Keywords: Mediterranean diet, Cardiovascular disease risk factor knowledge level, Healthy life