Determining the Cardiovascular Disease Risk Factor Knowledge and Related Factors Among Adults With Type 2 Diabetes Mellitus

In this study was to determine knowledge of cardiovascular disease (CVD) risk factors and to explore related factors among adults with type 2 diabetes mellitus (DM) who have not been diagnosed with CVD. This descriptive study was conducted with 175 adults. Data were collected individual identification form and Cardiovascular Disease Risk Factors Knowledge Level (CARRF-KL) scale. A negative correlation was found between age and CARRF-KL score. A significant difference was found between educational status and CARRF-KL score. The individuals described their health status as good, managed their condition with diet and exercise, received information from nurses, adults with DM in their family and those with no DM complications had significantly higher scores in CARRF-KL. The knowledge of an individual with DM about CVD risk factors should be assessed, CVD risks should be identified at an early stage, and individuals at risk should be subjected to screening.

Association between Family History of Stroke and Stroke Risk: A Community Survey

Approximately 20% of the annual 795,000 stroke occurrences in the United States are fatal, and survivors face high-risk of long-term disability. The purpose of this secondary analysis of a cross-sectional survey data was to explore the association between individuals' family history of stroke and their stroke risk among Minnesota adults attending the State Fair. The primary study sample (n=207) completed a nine-part survey addressing medical history, stroke risk factor knowledge, and the American Stroke Association stroke risk score. Analysis used descriptive summaries and McNemar's Chi-square test. McNemar's test indicated a significant association between family history of stroke and an individual's stroke risk score (χ²=38.09, p<.001, (n=194)). Of those with and without family history of stroke, 87.1% and 95.5% correctly identified at least one stroke risk factor, respectively. Implications of this secondary data analysis is for nurses to target high-risk populations using primary prevention strategies to reduce stroke occurrence.

Cardiovascular risk-factor knowledge and risk perception among HIV-infected adults

Cardiovascular disease (CVD) has emerged as a major cause of morbidity and mortality in HIV-infected adults. Research in noninfected populations has suggested that knowledge of CVD risk factors significantly influences perceptions of risk. This cross-sectional study describes CVD risk factor knowledge and risk perception in HIV-infected adults. We recruited 130 HIV-infected adults (mean age = 48 years, 62% male, 56% current smokers, mean years since HIV diagnosis, 14.7). The mean CVD risk factor knowledge score was fairly high. However, controlling for age, CVD risk factor knowledge was not predictive of perceived risk [F(1, 117) = 0.13, p > .05]. Estimated risk and perceived risk were weakly but significantly correlated; r (126) = .24, p = .01. HIV-infected adults are at increased risk for CVD. Despite having adequate risk-factor knowledge, CVD risk perception was inaccurate. Improving risk perception and developing CVD risk reduction interventions for this population are imperative.