Universal Journal of Public Health Vol. 14(1), pp. 156 - 165
DOI: 10.13189/ujph.2026.140116
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Assessing Cardiovascular Diseases Knowledge among Jordanian Adults: A Cross-Sectional Study

Buthaina Alkhatib ^1,*, Lana M. Agraib ², Islam K. Al-Shami ^1
1 Department of Clinical Nutrition and Dietetics, Faculty of Applied Medical Sciences, The Hashemite University, Zarqa, Jordan
² Department of Nutrition and Food Science, Faculty of Allied Medical Sciences, Al-Balqa Applied University, Jordan

ABSTRACT

The development and accumulation of cardiovascular disease (CVD) risk factors are greatly influenced by an individual's health-seeking behavior, which in turn depends on that individual's knowledge and behaviors. The study aimed to evaluate the CVD knowledge among a group of Jordanian adults. A cross-sectional study was conducted in Jordan between June and August 2023 among 2885 adults (18-64 years). Data, including sociodemographic data, were collected via an online self-reported questionnaire and a heart disease knowledge assessment. Heart knowledge scores were calculated. The mean score for the correct answers to the heart disease knowledge questionnaire was 47.9% (46.9% for males and 48.6% for females). Regarding the knowledge score, 37.2% of participants had poor knowledge, 30.9% had moderate knowledge, and 31.9% had good knowledge. Poor knowledge score was significantly affected by being younger (18-24 years) (38.4%), male sex (42%), smoker (35.5%), low economic status (75.6%), lower educational level (58%), single marital status, CVD-free participants (68.3%), and participants with no first-degree CVD family history (63.6%) (<0.001). Jordanian adults lack knowledge of CVD risk factors and symptoms. Additionally, various modifiable socioeconomic variables impacted the CVD knowledge score. This study demonstrates the need to increase Jordanians' understanding of CVD.

KEYWORDS
Cardiovascular Disease, Adults, Knowledge, CVD Risk Factors

Cite This Paper in IEEE or APA Citation Styles
(a). IEEE Format:
[1] Buthaina Alkhatib , Lana M. Agraib , Islam K. Al-Shami , "Assessing Cardiovascular Diseases Knowledge among Jordanian Adults: A Cross-Sectional Study," Universal Journal of Public Health, Vol. 14, No. 1, pp. 156 - 165, 2026. DOI: 10.13189/ujph.2026.140116.

(b). APA Format:
Buthaina Alkhatib , Lana M. Agraib , Islam K. Al-Shami (2026). Assessing Cardiovascular Diseases Knowledge among Jordanian Adults: A Cross-Sectional Study. Universal Journal of Public Health, 14(1), 156 - 165. DOI: 10.13189/ujph.2026.140116.