Nelofar Sami Khan, Syed Ilyas Shehnaz, Gomathi Kadayam Guruswami, Salwa Abd el zaher, Mabrouk Ibrahim and Sana Abdul Jabbar Mustafa
Gulf Medical University, UAE
Annamalai University, India
Thumbay Hospital, UAE
Posters & Accepted Abstracts: J Diabetes Metab
Aim: To assess the prevalence and perception of risk factors of cardiovascular diseases (CVD) among the adults of United Arab Emirates (UAE). Method: A cross-sectional questionnaire based survey was done where healthcare related population was excluded. The obtained data were analyzed using SPSS version 21. Result: 1367 Arab and expatriate population with 700 being young adults (18-25 years) participated. Personal history reveals 47% overweight/obese, 25% current/ex-users of tobacco, 60% perceive their life moderately or highly stressful and 74% do not follow the recommended physical-activity. 8.1% reported to have diabetes mellitus (DM), 11.8% hypercholesterolemia and 14.4% hypertension. Family history of DM (42.6%), hypertension (30%) and heart attack (23.6%) was also reported. 55% of the population perceive that obese people and those with hypercholesterolemia are at high risk of developing CVD; 49% perceive hypertension and 30% think diabetes to be a risk factor. 59% recognized â??more risk factors you have, greater is your chance of developing CVDâ?. â??No smoking, regular exercise, healthy diet, control of diabetes and blood pressure may prevent the development of CVD?â? 68% of younger age group and 80% of older acknowledged this fact. Few thought they are at risk of developing heart attack (21%) or stroke (16%) in next 10 years. 60% of younger and significantly higher number (73%) of older were planning to make changes in their lifestyle in near future. 80% feel people need more knowledge regarding CVD. Conclusion: There is a need for public health education to increase the level of correct perceptions regarding risk factors of CVD in this high-risk population.
