Abstract
BACKGROUND: Knowledge, attitudes, and practices (KAP) studies are widely used in public health. This study aimed to investigate and compare KAP among patients with coronary artery disease (CAD) and premature coronary artery disease (PCAD) regarding cardiovascular disease (CVD). METHODS: This cross-sectional study was conducted on 100 PCAD patients and 100 CAD patients in a general hospital in Tehran, Iran, between April and October 2022. A valid questionnaire was utilized to gather information, and descriptive analysis and logistic regression were employed for analysis using SPSS, version 23. RESULTS: This study involved 100 CAD and 100 PCAD patients with average ages of 68.09±7.20 and 50.20±7.65 years, respectively. Men accounted for 58% of the PCAD group and 73% of the CAD group. The PCAD group had a higher level of knowledge and exhibited a more positive attitude toward CVD than the CAD group (P=0.007 and P<0.001, respectively). The PCAD patients and those with a family history of chronic diseases had a higher level of knowledge (P=0.045 and P=0.27, respectively) and showed a more positive attitude (P=0.030 and P<0.001, respectively). However, participants with a self-reported history of chronic diseases and those who were employed exhibited a less positive attitude. Occupation was associated with nutritional and smoking status (P=0.037). CONCLUSION: Higher levels of knowledge and more positive attitudes regarding CVD were observed; still, the study population's behaviors were unsatisfactory. Educational interventions are needed to promote positive health behaviors, emphasizing the link between knowledge and risk reduction and decreased CVD and mortality rates.