Related Experiment Videos
Family characteristics and children's knowledge of cardiovascular risk factors
Venetia Notara1,2, George Antonogeorgos2, Maria-Eleni Kordoni2
1Department of Public Health and Community Health, Technological Educational Institute of Athens, Athens, Greece.
Insights
Children
Area of Science:
- Pediatric Health
- Public Health
- Cardiovascular Disease Prevention
Background:
- Cardiovascular disease (CVD) is the leading global cause of mortality.
- Early-life risk factors for CVD highlight the importance of childhood preventive strategies.
- Understanding children's perceptions of CVD risk factors is crucial for early intervention.
Purpose of the Study:
- To investigate the influence of socioeconomic status on children's knowledge of cardiovascular disease risk factors.
- To examine the impact of family characteristics on children's understanding of cardiovascular health.
- To inform public health strategies for early cardiovascular disease prevention in children.
Main Methods:
- A cross-sectional survey involving 1,728 children aged 10-12 years in Greek primary schools.
- Data collected via anonymous, self-administered questionnaires on cardiovascular risk knowledge (nutrition, physical activity, smoking).
- Parental questionnaires gathered information on family characteristics and socioeconomic status.
Main Results:
- Higher paternal education and living with both parents were associated with increased children's knowledge of CVD risk factors.
- Children with more siblings demonstrated less sufficient knowledge of cardiovascular risk factors compared to those with fewer siblings.
- Statistical significance noted for paternal education (P=0.04), family structure (P=0.02), and number of siblings (P=0.04).
Conclusions:
- The study confirms a link between the child's micro-environment (family characteristics) and their understanding of cardiovascular health.
- Findings provide valuable insights for healthcare professionals counseling children and families on cardiovascular disease prevention.
- Emphasizes the role of socioeconomic status and family structure in shaping children's health knowledge.
Background:
Cardiovascular disease has the highest mortality rate than any other disease globally. Some major risk factors seem to be established in the early stages of life, suggesting preventive strategies as a major means to reduce cardiovascular mortality. The aim of the present study was to investigate the role of socioeconomic status and family characteristics on children's knowledge and perceptions concerning cardiovascular disease risk factors.
Methods:
A cross-sectional survey was conducted among 1,728 children (46% male) aged 10-12 years, attending Greek primary schools in Athens; Heraklion (capital city of the island of Crete); Kalamata; Pyrgos; and Sparti (Peloponnese peninsula), Greece. Sampling was conducted on school premises, during the school years 2014-15 and 2015-16 (participation rate, 95-100%). Data were collected via self-administered, anonymous questionnaire. Children's knowledge of various issues related to cardiovascular risk, such as nutrition, physical activity and smoking was also examined. Data on family characteristics were collected through another questionnaire completed by parents.
Results:
Paternal education level and living with both parents instead of single-parent upbringing, were positively associated with children's knowledge of cardiovascular risk factors (b = 0.42; 95%CI: 0.01-0.83; P = 0.04; and b = 0.78; 95%CI: 0.013-1.43; P = 0.02 respectively). Moreover, children with more siblings seemed to have less sufficient knowledge compared with peers with fewer siblings (b per 1 sibling = -0.24; 95%CI: -0.47 to -0.014; P = 0.04).
Conclusions:
The present findings enhance the link between the micro-environment and children's knowledge and perceptions concerning cardiovascular health, providing information to health-care professionals while counseling youths.