Public awareness of and action towards heart attack symptoms: an exploratory study in Kuantan, Pahang, Malaysia

Alshami, Abdulkareem Mohammed and Ahmed, Abdullah Abdulmajid Abdo and Jamshed, Shazia Qasim and Fata Nahas, Abdul Rahman (2019) Public awareness of and action towards heart attack symptoms: an exploratory study in Kuantan, Pahang, Malaysia. In: International Conference on Pharmaceutical Research and Pharmacy Practice cum 14th IIUM-MPS Pharmacy Scientific Conference (ICPRP 2019), 19-20th October 2019, Hotel Istana Kuala Lumpur. (Unpublished)

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Abstract

Background: Awareness of symptoms and action towards heart attack (HA) are very important to reduce deaths and disability. Current study aimed to assess the awareness of symptoms and action towards HA among general public. Methods: A cross-sectional study was conducted in Kuantan from May to July 2018 to recruit 393 respondents via convenience sampling. Results: The actual proportions associated with respondents who have been aware of HA symptoms ranged from 26.35% (pain/discomfort in the jaw, neck, back) to 71.65 % (chest pain, discomfort). While 35.6% of respondents would call ambulance if they see someone suffering from HA symptoms; 82% realized ≥ 1 HA symptom, 11.5% recognized all five HA symptoms and 1.3% had excellent awareness (correct recognition of all five HA symptoms, without response “Yes” to decoy question). The odds ratios (OR) for those who have an excellent awareness of all five HA symptoms were significantly high in those who were single (OR 0.023; 95% Cl 0.001-0.594), Malay (OR 0.376; 95% Cl, 0.193-0.733), who have a history of HA among their relatives (OR 2.206; 95% CI, 0.983-4.949), who received information associated with HA (OR 7.540; 95% CI, 2.037-27.914) and those who aware that HA requires quick treatment (OR 0.176; 95% CI 0.044-0.710). Conclusion: Awareness of HA symptoms and proper action seem to be poor in Malaysia. Educational interventions to increase general awareness among the lay public, specifically in the elderly and who are at high risk for cardiovascular diseases are recommended.

Item Type:	Conference or Workshop Item (Poster)
Additional Information:	6772/75834
Uncontrolled Keywords:	heart attack, awareness, symptoms, action towards, appropriate action.
Subjects:	R Medicine > RA Public aspects of medicine > RA644.3 Chronic and Noninfectious Diseases and Public Health
Kulliyyahs/Centres/Divisions/Institutes (Can select more than one option. Press CONTROL button):	Kulliyyah of Pharmacy > Department of Pharmacy Practice
Depositing User:	Dr. Abdulkareem Mohammed Al-Shami
Date Deposited:	11 Nov 2019 17:02
Last Modified:	11 Nov 2019 17:02
URI:	http://irep.iium.edu.my/id/eprint/75834

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