Poster Session
Facultad de Medicina Clínica Alemana UDD Santiago,Chile. Cardiovascular disease (CVD) is the leading cause of death in both men and women in developed countries. In Chile, cardiovascular mortality in women reaches 31% of the overall mortality, establishing itself as the main cause of death (MCD). However, there is misinformation on the subject. It is a firmly entrenched belief that the leading cause of death in women is breast cancer. The lack of awareness on the issue has led to campaigns to promote the relevance of CVD in women The objective of this study is to evaluate the evolution of knowledge, by a female population, of the impact of CVD on female mortality (FM) in 2007 & 2016.A survey of women (professionals (UP) and technical personnel (TA) was conducted in a private clinic in Santiago during 2007 & 2016. Two questions was designed, one related to causes of general mortality & another on mortality by specific pathology. In the first, they were asked to indicate the most important cause of FM among oncological (OP), cardiovascular (CVD) & respiratory diseases (RD); In the second, they were asked about which, was the most frequent cause of death between breast cáncer (BC), acute myocardial infarction (AMI) & pneumonia (PN). During 2007 & 2016, 409 & 431 women were surveyed respectively. The answers were analyzed in the total group, & in subgroups . In the total of the group, comparing year 2007 & 2016, 79% vs 60% answered that the MCD was OP, 20% vs 37% CVD & 1% vs 3% RD, respectively (P < 0.01). The response to the specific cause of death in the general group was 89% vs 83% BC, 11% vs 16% AMI & PN < 1% (P = 0.02).When comparing the questions according to subgroups of UP or TA, UP responded 61% in 2007 & 56% in 2016 to the question that the MCD is the OP. For the same question, the TA answered 83% in 2007 & 61% in 2016 that the MCD is OP and 15% in 2007 and 34% in 2016 CVD (p < 0.01).The answers to the specific question that the main cause of death is BC was 90% in 2007 & 78% in 2016 in the UP & 93% in 2007 and 84% in 2016 the AT group (P < 0.01). The level of knowledge in the studied population on the prevalence of mortality due to cardiovascular disease in women is low. Despite the campaigns and education programs implemented during the last decade, the level of awareness has not raised to the expected levels. We need to rethink how to create conscience in the population about the cardiovascular risks in women.