Cardiovascular Risk Factors in South-Eastern Nigeria: A Community Based Survey

Abstract

Background: Cardiovascular risk factors play a major role in cardiovascular disease burden worldwide. The prevalence is known to be in the increase especially in the developing countries. There is need for timely community based studies in order to keep tab with the current scope. It is against this background that we embarked on this cross-sectional community based study of the prevalence of selected cardiovascular risk factors in semi-urban community in Abakaliki Southeastern part of Nigeria in October 2016. Method: The consecutive consenting persons of 18 years and above were screened for selected cardiovascular risk factors in October 2016. Results: A total of 1074 adults were seen (males-567, females-507) with age range of 18 - 80 years and mean age of 35.63 ± 12.45 years. They were predominantly farmers, petty traders and artisans. The identified CVD risk factors were hypertension 285 (26.4%), alcohol abuse 131 (12.1%), obesity 122 (11.3%), diabetes 97 (9%), family history of stroke 87 (8.1%), smoking 74 (6.9%) and previous stroke 29 (2.7%). Conclusion: The cardiovascular risk factors were quite prevalent with male preponderance of alcohol abuse and smoking.