Hawazen Rawas
King Saud bin Abdulaziz University for Health Science, KSA
Title: A multi-level examination of secondary prevention practices for Saudi people following a recent cardiac event
Biography
Biography: Hawazen Rawas
Abstract
Cardiovascular disease (CVD) is a major health problem in Saudi Arabia as well as in other highly developed countries. Notably, 46% of all deaths in Saudi Arabia occur as a result of CVD. The aetiology of CVD within the Saudi population is similar to that of Western countries with atherosclerosis, hypertension, coronary heart disease and diabetes mellitus highly prevalent with the main risk factors being smoking, obesity and physical inactivity. While there has been a focus on some of the risk factors (smoking and obesity) in Saudi Arabia, there is a paucity of research on secondary prevention practices and the health-related behaviors for Saudi people following a recent cardiac event. This study examined the health-related behaviors of Saudi people following a recent cardiac event, and identified the factors that influence these behaviors, using McLeroy et al.’s (1988) Ecological Model of Health Behavior as a guiding framework. Overall, this study revealed the importance of developing a secondary prevention program for this population. There was a high prevalence of cardiovascular diseases risk factors. The study also revealed the importance of a targeted educational approach and increasing the knowledge and awareness among Saudi cardiac patients in aiming to support behavioral change. The study identified that the knowledge and attitudes of participants were significant factors at an intrapersonal level that influenced their health behaviors. The study also identified that the services and resources in secondary prevention programs for the participants were also significant predictors at the organizational level with regard to developing and maintaining healthy behaviors. The study also identified that factors at interpersonal, community and public policy levels were influenced engagement in health-related behaviors. The present study also confirmed the importance of supportive services in all areas, particularly in areas of physical, emotional and social well-being, to improve patients’ health-related quality of life.