Introduction: Cardiovascular disease (CVD) has been realized as a primary cause of death in
women for almost a century. However, the relationship between women’s knowledge, their wish
and action on practicing heart healthy lifestyle is still vague.
Aim and Objectives: This research aimed to determine the association between knowledge and
attitude, knowledge and practice and attitude and practice on cardiovascular disease among
women in Kelantan.
Methods/ Study Design: A cross sectional study was conducted in Kelantan, Malaysia. A total
of 448 women attended primary care facilities in Kelantan were included in this study. Twostage
sampling process was used to select clinics in all districts in Kelantan followed by female
participants from selected clinics attendance lists. Recruited were non illiterate young adult
women up to 65 years of age and without psychotic symptoms. Consented participants were
given a set of validated KAP questionnaire that should be completed within 15 minutes.
Findings: The respondents’ mean age was about 40 years with majority of them having
secondary educational level and coming from low socio-economic group. Among them, 56.8%
involved in tobacco products and 41.3% reported as having CVD related medical illnesses,
especially obesity (23.7%) and hypertension (17.6%). About 56.2% had family history of CVD
risk. Only 26.8% of them obtained the CVD information from health care workers. The good
knowledge, attitude and practice score were 55.6%, 55.1 % and 51.1% accordingly. There were
significant association between attitude and knowledge, practice and knowledge and practice and
attitude which were found to be strong (0.10, 0.20), (0.10, 0.18) and (0.26, 0.40) 95% CI,
respectively and is independent with socio-demographic and personal disease characteristic.
Conclusion: Positive relationship between knowledge, attitude and practice will encourage
primary care doctors to take this challenge to educate, motivate community and provide full
support to those who wish to modify their lifestyle.