Outcome of Pharmacists Health Belief Perception and Knowledge of CVD Risk Factors Intervention among Rural Community Dwellers

Abstract

Background: Cardiovascular risk factor reduction strategies are more likely to be successful if persons at risk have a good knowledge of the disease and a positive perception of adopting cardio protective behavior .The objectives of this study were to assess the impact of community pharmacist’s educational intervention on the knowledge and health belief perceptions of rural community dwellers whose 10-year risk of adverse fatal and non-fatal cardiovascular events was classified as high. Design: This  was a cross sectional descriptive study conducted in Ezionum community in Delta State, Nigeria Methods: Knowledge of and health belief about cardiovascular disease were assessed among 42 patients at high cardiovascular disease risk using pre tested validated questionnaires. Rated scores were subjected to quantitative analysis. Baseline score were compared to end of study using the paired T test. A P value of less than 0.05 was regarded as statistically significant. Results: Mean total knowledge score at end of study was significantly improved compared to baseline 18.40 ±4.37 vs. 11.71± 3.48, P˂ 0.001. Perception of severity of CVD increased post intervention (2.18±0.67) compared to baseline (1.80 ± 0.51) while perceptions of susceptibility and benefits of behaviour change decreased. Overall, total health belief score was 2.51± 0.19 post intervention compared to baseline, 2.4 ± 0.25 on a scale of 1 to 4.  Conclusion: Educational intervention targeted at helping people adopt cardio protective behaviours can be successfully implemented among rural people with minimal levels of formal education.