Knowledge, attitudes and practices of cardiovascular disease risk factors in in a self-selected group of adults with HIV infection in Cameroon.

Abstract

Background: Human Immune-deficiency Virus (HIV) infection is a public health problem worldwide, with the greatest burden in low-income settings. Increased survival associated with the use of anti-retroviral treatment is associated with an increase in the burden of cardiovascular disease (CVD). Primordial prevention of CVD requires an adequate knowledge, attitude, and practice of the risk factors.
Aim: Assess the knowledge, Attitude, and Practices (KAP) of CVD risk factors in adults with HIV infection in Cameroon.
Methods: We carried out a KAP survey at the Yaounde Central Hospital. Participants were consenting adults with HIV, aged > 18 years, of both sex who received regular care at the day hospital. Each participant had a face-to-face interview with a trained investigator using a standardized questionnaire.
Results: A total of 329 participants were interviewed. Their mean age was 46.6 ± 10.6 years. Ten (3%) participants had good knowledge of CVD risk factors. Higher level of education was associated with good Knowledge (OR: 3.9, [95% CI: 2 – 7.6], p<0.001). Obtaining information from the staff (OR 0.3 [95% CI: 0.2–0.6], p <0.001), and having a family history of cardiovascular diseases (OR = 0.4 [95% CI: 0.2–0.7], p = 0.004) was associated with good knowledge. 211 (64.1%) participants had inappropriate attitudes, and 40 (12.2%) participants had adequate practices. These were associated with the level of knowledge (OR = 2.0, [95% CI: 1– 3.9], p = 0.040).
Conclusion: This study suggests that people with HIV in Cameroon have poor knowledge of cardiovascular risk factors, and this is associated to inadequate practices towards CVD risk factors.

Key words: Knowledge, Attitudes, Practices, HIV, Cardiovascular risk factors.