Perception and Knowledge of Coronary Heart Disease among Adolescents of Kerala

Non communicable disease burden is increasing in alarming rate globally. Cardiovascular disease (CVD) has assumed epidemic proportion in India. Atherosclerosis in Indians has been shown to occur prematurely, that is, at least a decade or two earlier than their counterparts in developed countries. The present cross-sectional survey was undertaken among 42 school going students of Thrissur district of Kerala to understand their Perception, Knowledge of Coronary Heart Disease using a pretested structured questionnaire. Findings revealed that most adolescents were not aware of the seriousness of the heart disease. Only 14.3% students thought that CHD is a public health concern, 28.6% were aware of their own body weight, and none of them had heard of the term Body Mass Index (BMI). 26.2% adolescents had moderately adequate and 73.8% had inadequate knowledge regarding CHD. Heavy alcohol consumption and smoking were perceived as important top three risk factors for CHD. However, a very small percentage could identify obesity, physical inactivity, and consumption of fatty foods as important risk factors. Study reveals that a large proportion of adolescents are not aware of the lifestyle associated risk factors of CHD and its prevention. This suggests the need for population based programmers in Kerala to increase adolescent knowledge, and skills to halt the progression of this deadly disease.