Knowledge of cardiovascular disease and its risk factors among non-medical undergraduate students in Uzbekistan: A cross-sectional study

Background Cardiovascular disease (CVD) is the leading cause of death worldwide, yet little is known about CVD knowledge and related behaviours among young adults in Central Asia. This study assessed CVD knowledge, lifestyle behaviours, and body mass index (BMI) among non-medical undergraduate students in Uzbekistan. Methods We conducted a cross-sectional survey among non-medical undergraduates at three public universities in Uzbekistan between September and November 2024. An anonymous online questionnaire collected socio-demographic characteristics, self-reported height and weight, tobacco and alcohol use, salt intake, physical activity, and knowledge of CVD and its risk factors. Descriptive statistics were generated, and Pearson’s chi-square (χ²) tests examined differences in CVD knowledge and BMI categories by sex and academic grade. Results Of 800 invited students, 742 completed the survey (response rate 92.8%); 68.7% were female, and 93.9% were aged ≤ 23 years. Current tobacco and alcohol use were reported by 5.8% and 2.8% of students, respectively. 42.7% reported high salt intake, and 75.6% engaged in weekly physical exercise. Overall, the majority of the students (65.8%) had normal body weight, but 10.4% were overweight and 1.3% were obese; BMI distribution differed significantly by sex and grade (both p < 0.01). half of the students (51.1%) correctly identified CVD as the leading cause of death although 94.3% had heard of heart disease, heart attack or stroke. The participants showed overall high awareness of CVD-risk factors, however awareness of high cholesterol, diabetes, and poor sleep as CVD risk factors was relatively low. Female students more often identified CVD as the leading cause of death and correctly recognised high cholesterol and smoking as risk factors, the benefits of quitting smoking, and the non-contagious nature of CVD than male peers (all p ≤ 0.05), whereas grade-related differences in knowledge were limited. Conclusions Non-medical university students in Uzbekistan have moderate CVD knowledge, but significant gaps and misconceptions persist, along with a pronounced gender contrast in both knowledge and BMI. Targeted, gender-sensitive CVD prevention initiatives in university settings are needed to support early risk reduction in this key population in Uzbekistan.