Knowledge, Attitude, and Practice on Atrial Fibrillation and Atrial Fibrillation Screening in High-Risk Population: A Cross-Sectional Study

Abstract

Objectives

Atrial fibrillation (AF) is a common clinical arrhythmia. Failure to identify AF leaves patients at a considerably higher risk of disability and death, making its early screening and prevention extremely important. This study aimed to investigate knowledge, attitude, and practice (KAP) towards AF prevention and screening among the high-risk population.

Methods

Individuals at a high risk of AF were required to fill out questionnaires between August 2022 and October 2022.

Results

A total of 863 participants aged 66.54 ± 11.00 years were enrolled. The median scores of knowledge, attitude, and practice were 9 (81.8% of maximum), 37 (64.9% of maximum), and 21.56 (86.2% of maximum), respectively. Only knowledge (OR = 1.159, 95% confidence interval (CI): 1.045–1.286, p = 0.005) was independently associated with better practice, while attitude (OR = 0.861, 95% CI: 0.817–0.908, p < 0.001), reported poor sleep quality (OR = 0.529, 95% CI: 0.259–1.0788, p = 0.010), fair (OR = 0.234, 95% CI: 0.111–0.491, p < 0.001) or fluctuating (OR = 0.321, 95% CI: 0.103–0.996, p = 0.049) emotional state, and acquiring the questionnaire through social media (OR = 0.419, 95% CI: 0.268–0.653, p < 0.001) were independently associated with worse practice.

Conclusions

Participats from high-risk AF population in this study demonstrated acceptable practice towards AF screening, mostly moderated by knowledge and attitude. Some gaps in knowledge could be improved by targeted health education, especially important in vulnerable subpopulations.