Knowledge and Awareness of Cardiovascular Risk Factors Among Women With a History of Pregnancy Complications in...

Area of Science:

• Obstetrics and Gynecology
• Cardiology
• Public Health

Background:

• Cardiovascular disease (CVD) is a leading global cause of mortality.
• Pregnancy complications like miscarriage, stillbirth, hypertensive disorders, and gestational diabetes significantly elevate future CVD risk in women.
• Enhanced awareness of CVD risk factors is critical for motivating women with a history of pregnancy complications to engage in risk-reduction strategies.

Purpose of the Study:

• To assess the knowledge and awareness of cardiovascular disease (CVD) risks among women with a history of pregnancy complications.
• To identify gaps in understanding CVD risk factors within this specific demographic.
• To inform the development of targeted educational interventions.

Main Methods:

• A descriptive cross-sectional survey was conducted.
• Data were collected from 299 women with a history of pregnancy complications via two Australian tertiary hospitals and social media platforms (February-December 2021).
• Non-probability sampling was employed to recruit participants.

Main Results:

• The average knowledge score regarding CVD risk factors was 14.5 (out of 25), with 50.2% of participants demonstrating poor knowledge.
• Only 24.7% of women possessed good knowledge of CVD and its associated risk factors.
• Significant associations were found between CVD knowledge scores and participants' ethnicity (p=0.009) and education level (p=0.007).

Conclusions:

• A substantial deficit in cardiovascular disease (CVD) knowledge exists among women who have experienced pregnancy complications.
• There is a clear need for tailored educational programs to address this knowledge gap.
• Improving health literacy, especially in high-risk and lower socioeconomic populations, is essential for mitigating future CVD incidence.