Lack of awareness of heart disease and stroke among Chinese Canadians: Results of a pilot study of the Chinese Canadian Cardiovascular Health Project

Background According to Statistics Canada's 2001 census, the Chinese make up the largest (27.5%) visible minority population in Canada. The cardiovascular health information for this population is therefore important for the allocation of health care and promotion resources. Objectives In the p...

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Bibliographic Details
Published in:Canadian journal of cardiology 2008-08, Vol.24 (8), p.623-628
Main Authors: Chow, Chi-Ming, MD MSc FRCPC FACC, Chu, Joseph Y., MD FRCPC, Tu, Jack V., MD PhD FRCPC, Moe, Gordon W., MSc MD FRCPC FACC
Format: Article
Language:English
Subjects:
Adolescent
Adult
Aged
Awareness
British Columbia
Cardiovascular
China - ethnology
Chinese
Clinical Studies
Coronary Disease - diagnosis
Coronary Disease - ethnology
Coronary Disease - prevention & control
Emigrants and Immigrants - psychology
Ethnicity
Female
Health Education
Health Knowledge, Attitudes, Practice
Health Surveys
Hong Kong - ethnology
Humans
Male
Middle Aged
Myocardial infarction
Ontario
Pilot Projects
Population health
Socioeconomic Factors
Stroke
Stroke - diagnosis
Stroke - ethnology
Stroke - prevention & control
Taiwan - ethnology
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Summary:Background According to Statistics Canada's 2001 census, the Chinese make up the largest (27.5%) visible minority population in Canada. The cardiovascular health information for this population is therefore important for the allocation of health care and promotion resources. Objectives In the present pilot study, the authors sought to define the degree of awareness and knowledge of cardiovascular disease, as well as their risk factors, among the Chinese Canadian population. Methods A 16-item telephone survey was conducted among 1004 ethnic Chinese subjects (18 years of age and older) in the greater Toronto area of Ontario (n = 503) and the greater Vancouver area of British Columbia (n=501) in February 2004. Results Among the respondents, 73% spoke Cantonese at home and 21% spoke Mandarin. Ninety-seven per cent were immigrants, and 53% had been in Canada for less than 10 years. A history of hypertension was reported in 9.2% of respondents, diabetes in 3.2% and high cholesterol in 14.5%. Thirty-two per cent and 40% of respondents were unable to name at least one symptom of heart attack or stroke, respectively, unaided. Thirty-two per cent and 35% of respondents named at least one incorrect symptom of heart attack and stroke, respectively. When asked about their immediate response in a hypothetical case of a heart attack or stroke, only 20% would have called 911. Conclusions The present study is the first to address the awareness of cardiovascular health and disease among Chinese Canadians. These data suggest that Chinese Canadians have a relatively low awareness of the warning symptoms for common cardiovascular emergency situations. The findings presented here have important implications for the development of future health promotion and research initiatives targeted to visible minority populations in Canada.
ISSN:0828-282X
1916-7075
DOI:10.1016/S0828-282X(08)70650-0