ASSESSMENT OF KNOWLEDGE, ATTITUDES AND PRACTICES ON RHEUMATIC HEART DISEASE AMONG CARDIAC PATIENTS IN AMRAN CITY, YEMEN

Abduallah AA Ali; Reham MA Altholey; Waheed MA Bakri; Yaqup AS Shayea; Mohammed AN Abbas; Abdulnaser SA Aklan; Ziad MA Alseraji

doi:10.22270/ujpr.v9i4.1155

Abduallah AA Ali Pharmacy section, Medical Sciences Department, Amran Community College, Yemen.
Reham MA Altholey Nursing Section, Medical Sciences Department, Amran Community College, Yemen.
Waheed MA Bakri Nursing Section, Medical Sciences Department, Amran Community College, Yemen.
Yaqup AS Shayea Nursing Section, Medical Sciences Department, Amran Community College, Yemen.
Mohammed AN Abbas Pharmacy Department, Al-Hikma University, Yemen.
Abdulnaser SA Aklan Pharmacy Department, Al-Hikma University, Yemen.
Ziad MA Alseraji Pharmacy Section, Medical Sciences Department, Sanhan Community College, Yemen.

10.22270/ujpr.v9i4.1155

Keywords:

Amran, cardiac patients, rheumatic heart disease, Yemen

Abstract

Background: All three layers of the heart—the pericardium, myocardium, and endocardium (including the valves)—may sustain irreversible damage as a result of rheumatic heart disease (RHD). Rheumatic heart disease is the result of valvular damage caused by an abnormal immune response to group a streptococcal infection, usually during childhood. The study aims to achieve the assessment of Knowledge, Attitudes and Practices (KAP) on rheumatic heart disease among cardiac patients in Amran city, Yemen.

Method: The descriptive analytical method was used. The questionnaire was used as a tool for collecting data the research sample was (121) of those accompanying rheumatic heart patients in clinics and medical centers in the city of Amran, and they were selected in a simple random method. The data was analyzed and processed statistically using the Statistical Package for the Social Sciences program (SPSS) and many statistical methods, and after conducting the data analysis process and testing the study hypotheses.

Result: The study found that heart patients in Amran have knowledge about rheumatic heart disease causes and symptoms, but lack knowledge about risk factors and disease history. Most suffer from arthritis and do not practice regular exercise. There were no significant differences in opinions about rheumatic heart disease and risk factors among heart patients due to variables like gender, age, education, and living conditions. Rural residents showed statistically significant differences.

Conclusions: The study reveals that patients with rheumatic heart disease have the highest knowledge about the causes and symptoms, but also the risk factors associated with the disease. The knowledge of the disease's history is the most common, followed by rheumatic fever. Arthritis is the most common risk factor. The study found no significant differences in opinions among heart patients in Amran, but significant differences were observed in rural residents' opinions due to factors like gender, age, and living conditions.