<b>KNOWLEDGE, ATTITUDE, AND PRACTICE REGARDING CARDIOVASCULAR DISEASES AMONG PRIMARY AND SECONDARY SCHOOL TEACHERS: A CROSS-SECTIONAL STUDY</b>

Background: Cardiovascular diseases (CVDs) are the leading cause of global mortality, responsible for approximately 17.9 million deaths annually, with a disproportionately high burden in low- and middle-income countries. Teachers play a critical role in shaping community health behaviors; however, their knowledge, attitudes, and practices (KAP) regarding CVD prevention remain inadequately explored. Objective: To assess the knowledge, attitudes, and practices related to cardiovascular diseases among primary and secondary school teachers. Methods: A descriptive cross-sectional study was conducted among 384 teachers using a structured, pre-tested questionnaire. The tool assessed socio-demographic characteristics and KAP domains. Knowledge scores were categorized as good (>75%), moderate (50–75%), and poor (<50%). Data were analyzed using SPSS version 25. Descriptive statistics and chi-square tests were applied, with p<0.05 considered statistically significant. Results: The mean age of participants was 36.8 ± 8.9 years. Females constituted 53.1% of the sample. Overall, 58.6% of participants demonstrated good knowledge, while 28.6% had moderate knowledge and 12.8% had poor knowledge. Positive attitudes toward CVD prevention were observed in 64.3% of respondents. However, only 41.2% exhibited good preventive practices. Awareness of smoking as a risk factor was highest (82%), while knowledge regarding cholesterol-related risks was lowest (60.5%). Only 42% reported engaging in regular physical activity, and 35.1% monitored blood pressure regularly. A statistically significant association was observed between education level and knowledge (p=0.03). Conclusion: Despite moderate knowledge and favorable attitudes, preventive practices among teachers remain inadequate. There is a need for targeted interventions focusing on behavior change and lifestyle modification.