Determinants of knowledge and perceptions regarding cardiovascular health: Epidemiological study on fifth and sixth grade of primary school children

Objective: to evaluate the role of socioeconomic and family factors on the formation of children’s knowledge and beliefs concerning cardiovascular risk factors. Design: cross-sectional study including 1100 children (10-12 years, 45% males) (90% participation rate) from 5th and 6th grade of primary schools in Athens area and Heraklion (Crete), during the school years 2013-14 and 2015-16. A self-reported, validated, anonymous questionnaire was used. Information on children’s knowledge concerning  various issues related to cardiovascular risk, such as nutrition, physical activity and smoking were also recorded. Family factors and characteristics were assessed using a special questionnaire filled in by another family member, especially parent. Results: paternal educational level and annual family income were positively associated with children’s knowledge on cardiovascular health (b=0.72, p<0,01 and b=0.26, p<0,01 respectively). However, children with >2 siblings and children that had their grandparents responsible for their everyday care seemed to have less sufficient knowledge compared with their peers who had less siblings and less prevalent presence of grandparents in their nurture (b=-0.30, p=0.03 and b=-0.67, p=0.02 respectively). Conclusions: The aforementioned findings enhance the fact that the micro socio-economic environment influence health knowledge and beliefs, providing stimuli towards interventions and further research on how family determines a child’s knowledge.