A Prospective Observational Study on Acute Coronary Syndrome: Exploring Knowledge, Attitude and Practice Gaps in Women Regarding Symptoms, Risk Factors and Treatment Options
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Abstract
Acute Coronary Syndrome (ACS) remains a significant global health issue, disproportionately affecting women due to delayed recognition, misdiagnosis, and under-treatment. This study aims to assess the knowledge, attitude, and practice (KAP) gaps in women regarding ACS symptoms, risk factors, and treatment. Conducted as a six-month prospective observational study at Vivekananda Super Speciality Hospital, 170 women diagnosed with ACS participated. The results highlighted that hypertension and diabetes were the most common risk factors, while chest pain was the predominant symptom. Initial assessments showed that most participants had average knowledge (53%), while 51% had poor overall KAP scores. However, post-intervention follow-up demonstrated substantial improvements, with good knowledge increasing from 13% to 36% and good KAP scores rising from 3.6% to 37.7%. Quality of Life (QOL) scores also improved significantly. These findings underscore the need for targeted educational initiatives and gender-sensitive approaches to ACS diagnosis and management. Addressing Yentl Syndrome and enhancing awareness could reduce ACS-related morbidity and mortality in women.
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