Abstract:
Background
CVD risk factor KAP (knowledge, attitude&practice) gaps are significant obstacles to
successful CVD prevention and care. Despite the rise in prevalence of CVDs risk factors in
Ethiopia, there is a lack of Studies to comprehensively assess the magnitude and KAP towards
them which is true of Jimma Town.
Objective: - To assess the magnitude of CVD risk factors and public KAP towards them in
Jimma town
Method: - A Community based cross-sectional study was conducted in Jimma Town, between 1st
and 28th November 2021 to include a person of age 18 years or above who fulfilled inclusion
criteria. A multi-stage sampling technique was utilized to get the total sample size of 332. The
data were collected using an interviewer-administered structured questionnaire. Data entry was
done by Epidata version 3.2 software & analysis was conducted with SPSS, version 26.
Results: - About 56.4% of the participants had good knowledge of CVDs risk factors. They had a
poor attitude towards CVDs risk factors. About 70.2% didn’t do moderate-intensity exercise, and
85.2% didn’t do vigorous-intensity exercise. Only 2.4% and 8.7% of the participants had
consumed vegetables and fruits daily respectively. About 17.8% of them drank alcohol,19.9%
chewed khat and 11.4 % were either active or second-hand smokers. Only 22.3% of them had
normal blood pressure (BP). About 55% of females &39.9 % of males had central obesity. The
average measured CVDs risk was 1.44±1.19. About 6.1 % of them had family history of CVDs.
Conclusion & Recommendations: - The KAP of this population towards CVDs risk factors were
low amid the rise of CVDs risk factors at an alarming rate. We recommend the local health
bureau, the ministry of health, and other stakeholders should find a way to increase the KAP of
this population, through media campaigns, promotions &others
