Abstract:
Background: Deaths due to cardiovascular diseases is rising among adults below fifty years of
age in Sri Lanka, highlighting the need for awareness on cardiovascular diseases for preventive
and early identification purposes.
Objective: To assess the knowledge and preventive practices regarding major cardiovascular non-
communicable diseases and identify associated factors among young adults in the National Youth
Council Center, Maharagama, Sri Lanka
Methods: A descriptive cross-sectional study was conducted among 307 students selected using
stratified random sampling technique to ensure fair representation of both full-time and part-time
students. Data were gathered using a pre-tested, self-administered questionnaire. Data analysis
was done using Shapiro -Wilk, Mann-Whitney and Kruskal - Wallis one - way ANOVA statistical
tests.
Results: Most participants were female (52.8%) and belonged to the 18-20-year age group
(67.1%). Among them, 48.5% demonstrated a moderate level of knowledge. The mean percentage
for preventive practices was 44.21%, indicating a moderate level of engagement. Significant
associations were found between knowledge and several sociodemographic factors, including
gender (p=0.003), the current course of study (p=0.000), and sources of knowledge such as the
internet (p=0.029) and social media (p=0.000). Additionally, preventive practices were
significantly associated with nationality (p=0.022), religion (p=0.030), and permanent location
(p=0.036).
Conclusion: The majority of participants demonstrated a moderate level of knowledge and
engagement in preventive practices. Association between level of knowledge and
sociodemographic factors highlights the necessity for targeted educational campaigns to address
specific knowledge gaps and improve preventive behaviors
