[Junior secondary and secondary school students' knowledge level about atherosclerosis risk factors and prevention]

Cardiovascular diseases cause about 50% of deaths in Poland. These disorders most frequently result from atherosclerotic changes in arteries. Knowledge on the prevention and elimination of risk factors is vital in reducing the development of atherosclerosis and other non-infectious chronic diseases.

The aim of the study was the assessment of junior secondary and secondary school students knowledge pertaining to atherosclerosis risk factors and prevention.

197 students participated in the project, with 97 attending junior secondary and 100--secondary school in the voivodship of Malopolskie. The junior and upper secondary level pupils originated from small towns (86.6%, 51%) and villages (13.4%, 49%) of the Bochnia and Tuchow districts. The study was conducted in May 2010 by means of a diagnostic survey including an anonymous questionnaire.

As risk factors encouraging the development of atherosclerosis to the greatest extent the junior secondary school students selected overweight and obesity, high cholesterol levels, fast food consumption and smoking. The majority of the junior secondary school pupils (61%) and those from the upper secondary level (85%) stated that what should be undertaken in the prevention and treatment of atherosclerosis is the reduction or elimination of food products rich in cholesterol, such as egg yolks, cream, butter, fatty meat. More than half of the junior and upper secondary school level pupils (57%) knew that the consumption of saturated fatty acids should be reduced as a preventive means against cardiovascular diseases. More than 73% of the junior and 85% of the upper secondary school pupils indicated the important role played by physical activity and maintaining a proper body mass in prevention and treatment of atherosclerosis.

The youth's knowledge ofatherosclerosis development risk factors was insufficient. Secondary school students displayed a higher level of knowledge with regard to prophylaxis and dangers pertaining to non-infectious chronic diseases than the respondents attending junior secondary school.