Knowledge, attitudes, and preventive practices regarding ischemic heart disease among HIV-positive individuals in northern Tanzania.

Abstract

OBJECTIVES\nTo describe knowledge, attitudes, and practices (KAP) regarding ischemic heart disease (IHD) among adults with HIV in Tanzania.\n\n\nMETHODS\nAdults presenting for routine HIV care at a clinic in northern Tanzania were consecutively enrolled and were administered a standardized KAP survey. For each participant, an IHD knowledge score was calculated by tallying correct answers to the IHD knowledge questions, with maximum score 10. Individual five-year risk of cardiovascular event was calculated using the Harvard NHANES model. Associations between participant characteristics and IHD knowledge scores were assessed via Welch s t-test.\n\n\nRESULTS\nAmong the 500 participants, the mean(sd) age was 45.3 (11.4) years and 139 (27.8%) were males. Most participants recognized high blood pressure (n=313, 62.6%) as a risk factor for IHD, but fewer identified diabetes as a risk factor (n=241, 48.2%), or knew that aspirin reduces the risk of a secondary cardiovascular event (n=73, 14.6%). Higher IHD knowledge score was associated with post-primary education (mean 6.27 vs 5.35, p=0.001) and with >10% five-year risk of cardiovascular event (mean 5.97 vs 5.41, p=0.045). Most participants believed there were things they could do to reduce their chances of having a heart attack (n = 361, 72.2%). While participants indicated that they adhered to their prescribed medications (n = 488, 97.6%), only 106 (21.2%) attended regular health check-ups.\n\n\nCONCLUSION\nEfforts are needed to improve gaps in IHD knowledge, and increase uptake of cardiovascular preventative practices among Tanzanian adults with HIV.