ROLE OF DIET AND LIFESTYLE IN THE PREVENTION OF CARDIOVASCULAR DISEASE: INVESTIGATION ON KNOWLEDGE AND ATTITUDES OF FAMILY PHYSICIANS AND THEIR PATIENTS IN SOUTHERN ITALY.

G. Barba, A. Siani, F. Galletti, P. Strazzullo

Background: The present study aims to investigate the knowledge and attitude of family physicians and their patients in prescribing and adopting, respectively, lifestyle and dietary changes in order to prevent cardiovascular diseases, the main cause of mortality in the industrialised western countries.

Methods: All physicians working in two suburban areas of Naples and in the city of Avellino were invited to participate in the study and 63% accepted (n=218). A sample of lay people living in the same areas was randomly selected and 59% (n=267) accepted. Two different questionnaires were used to assess the knowledge and attitudes of physicians and lay people about the role of nutrition and lifestyle in the prevention of cardiovascular risk.

Results: Physicians showed satisfactory knowledge and good attitude to non-pharmacological prevention - particularly secondary prevention- of cardiovascular disease. The opinions of the lay people interviewed on the impact of lifestyle changes on CVD prevention were similarly satisfactory although some inconsistencies were noted.

Conclusions: In spite of the good propensity of both physicians and their patients to the implementation of lifestyle changes, it appears as dietary modifications prescribed by physicians might not be accurately follow by their patients or even misunderstood, thus suggesting the need for further educational programmes to be implemented.

Ital Heart J 2001; 2 (7): 546-52 (Abstract)