Health Literacy and Habits in Cardiac Rehabilitation Patients: Experience of a Tertiary Centre in Brunei Darussalam
- Author:
Shahnezza Yulniqmah Mohammad SHAFRI
;
Muhammad Nurhasanuddin Abdullah KELALI
;
Jong Seng KHIONG
;
Hanif Abdul RAHMAN
- Publication Type:Original Article
- Keywords:
Cardiac rehabilitation;
Cardiovascular diseases;
Cardiovascular risk factors;
Cardiovascular disease prevention. 31 Shahnezza Yulniqmah Mohammad Shafri1*;
Muhammad Nurhasanuddin Abdullah Kelali2;
Jong Seng Khiong3;
Hanif Abdul Rahman1
- From:
Brunei International Medical Journal
2026;22():110-121
- CountryBrunei Darussalam
- Language:English
-
Abstract:
Introduction: Cardiovascular disease (CVD) is a major cause of global mortality, including Brunei Darussalam. Health literacy plays an important role in the management of CVD. It is not clear how much patients could understand, judge and apply CVD knowledge in the management of their condition after completion of a cardiac rehabilitation programme at the Raja Isteri Pengiran Anak Saleha Hospital, a tertiary referral centre in Brunei Darussalam. Materials and Methods: This was a cross - sectional study of cardiac rehabilitation patients who completed Phase II of the programme over a four-month period . Patients were recruited through convenience sampling methods. A validated questionnaire was used to assess participants ’ knowledge, attitude and practice (KAP) on CVD. The data were computed using R v.3.4.4. and analysed using descriptive and inferential statistics. A p<0.05 was considered to be statistically significant. Results: Of the total (n=120) participants recruited, 89.2% were males. 90.0% were below 70 years of age and 82.5% were Malay. 54.2% achieved the highest level of education at secondary school. Hypercholesterolemia and hypertension were prevalent; accounting for 71.7% and 70.0% respectively, while obesity and diabetes mellitus accounted for 47.5% and 39.7% respectively. The mean (standard deviation) scores for knowledge, attitude and practice were 66.86 (3.71) out of 75, 57.83 (4.47) out of 65, and 33.11 (3.65) out of 44, respectively. There was a significant difference in the CVD knowledge scores between different levels of education (p=0.024). Conclusions: There is a good level of CVD knowledge, attitude and practice in cardiac rehabilitation patients post -Phase II of the programme. Delivery of education sessions in Phase II of the programme in consideration of the varied educational backgrounds of the participants may help ensure everyone can benefit equally
