Abstract

KNOWLEDGE, ATTITUDE AND PRACTICES AMONG CORONARY ARTERY DISEASE PATIENTS IN SOUTH INDIA - A DESCRIPTIVE CROSS-SECTIONAL STUDY

M. Gayathri, Preethi S., S. Bhavani, S. Thangaraj, Melvin George and D. Jothieswari*

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Abstract

Background: Coronary artery disease (CAD) is a leading cause of morbidity and mortality worldwide. Effective management of CAD requires adherence to prescribed medications and lifestyle modifications, yet knowledge, attitude, and practices (KAP) regarding CAD management among patients remain variable. This study aims to assess treatment patterns, medication safety, and awareness regarding CAD medications in a tertiary care hospital in Tamil Nadu, India. Methods: This was a cross sectional descriptive study done over six months in SRM Medical College Hospital and Research Centre, Kattankulathur. One hundred and ten patients of CAD were recruited, assessed and needed structured questionnaires for evaluating CAD medications knowledge, attitude and practices. A statistical analysis of this patient demographics, clinical characteristics, and treatment adherence was done for the analysis. Results: Among all participants,86.4% were aware of the CAD diagnosis, 92.7% believed that drugs could improve their condition, leaving only 30% knowing the underlying causes. Medication adherence was variable: 52.7% never missed a dose, whereas 13.6% reported occasional non-adherence. Lifestyle changes had been incorporated by 53.6% of the patients. This means that in addition to these observable consequences of CAD treatment, the study highlighted gaps in patient knowledge with regard to the indication of drugs, dosing, and possible medications' side effects, which all signify the necessity of better patient education. Conclusion: The study highlights the treatment pattern differences for CAD patients, medication safety issues, and lapses in awareness among the CAD patients. Antiplatelets were the most prescribed drugs (88.2%), statins had the next highest (70.6%), followed by beta-blockers (55.5%). Only 30% patients understood the causes of CAD, and 26.4% knew about the various doses of medications, which has affected adherence (52.7%). Counseling targeted at CAD patients and pharmacist-directed interventions are essential to improving adherence, medication safety, and outcome effectiveness in CAD management.

Keywords: Coronary artery disease, Knowledge, Attitude, Practices, Medication adherence, Patient education.