Community perceptions of dietary and environmental factors as cardiovascular diseases risk determinants.

This work was carried out to assess the community's perception of the relative importance of various dietary, environmental and lifestyle factors as CVDs risk determinants and to investigate the beliefs of the community on issues related to CVDs. A household cluster sample survey was conducted in Alexandria city. The total sample was 600 persons aged > or = 18 years Results of this work revealed that public awareness of the magnitude of CVDs in the community was high. There appeared from the large percentages of incorrect or unsure responses that the community tended not to perceive the importance of different lifestyle habits specific to CVDs. 'Sociodemographic variables that were significantly associated with good perception were higher educational and occupational levels of the subjects. It was also revealed, that although the community has confidence in advice on preventive behaviours, it was reluctant to ask about screening tests. Moreover, the community is receiving some information about issues related to CVDs and, a desire for more health information from doctors and health agencies was evident. In spite of the majority of the subjects were willing to follow advice aimed to reduce their risk of getting CVDs, they were not sure what that advice might be. Studies of this type clearly have the ability to provide a range of information which ought to be available to those responsible for the planning of health promotion and education initiatives.