The relationship between cardiovascular diseases risk factors and cardiovascular diseases knowledge levels and eating attitudes of adults admitted to a private hospital in Lüleburgaz

Background and Aim: Cardiovascular diseases represent the leading cause of mortality globally and within our nation. A critical imperative lies in the meticulous identification of risk factors and the assessment of awareness levels to facilitate the timely implementation of preventative measures against cardiovascular illnesses. The objective of this study was to assess the cardiovascular disease risk factors and levels of cardiovascular disease knowledge among adult individuals who were admitted to a private hospital in Lüleburgaz. Furthermore, we aimed to investigate the correlation between their eating attitudes. Material and Methods: The present study engaged 240 voluntary participants, aged 18 and above, who sought services at a private hospital in Lüleburgaz for diverse reasons. Employing a face-to-face method, data were gathered through the utilization of the Cardiovascular Diseases Risk Factors Knowledge Level Scale (KARRIF-BD), the ten-year CVD risk calculation method (SCORE), and the Eating Attitude Scale (YTT-26). Subsequently, the collected data were analyzed through the SPSS 22 software package in a computerized environment. Results: The average age of the participants was 40.94 ± 13.61 years. A total of 71.3% of the participants were women, while 55.8% reported having a high school education or less, and 70% were married. The mean KARRIF-BD score was found to be 22.90 ± 3.46, the cardiovascular disease risk score was 5.24 ± 6.42, and the mean YTT-26 scale score was 9.53 ± 8.49. A statistically significant difference was observed between the KARRIF-BD scale score of the participants and various demographic factors, including their gender, education level, working status, exercise habits, salt consumption, and family history of cardiovascular disease. Based on the SCORE score average, 16.3% of the participants were identified as being in the very high-risk group. No correlation was detected between the KARRIF-BD scale score and other factors. Furthermore, 12.1% of the participants exceeded the YTT-26 cut-off value of 20 points. Although a weak negative correlation was noted between the participants' SCORE scores and YTT-26 scores, no significant relationship was established between the KARRIF-BD scale scores. Conclusion: The research findings reveal that despite the participants' notable high average KARRIF-BD scale score, a concerning 40% of them were classified as being at high risk for cardiovascular disease (CVD) based on SCORE scores. Moreover, it was observed that nearly one in every eight individuals exhibited risk in terms of eating attitude. Given these outcomes, it is imperative to emphasize the prioritization of preventive health services, proactively identify risks through systematic monitoring, and take essential precautions for mitigating potential health challenges.