Cardiovascular risk factors in a population of rural women in South-East Nigeria

Abstract

Background: Cardiovascular Diseases are a big challenge to low and middle income countries like Nigeria because they are more exposed to risk factors like tobacco and do not have prevention programs and health care services like in high income countries. An upsurge of cardiovascular diseases has been reported in women. Studies on cardiovascular risk factors and disease in women in our environment appear to be few. Cultural and religious practices in Nigeria suggest that risk factors such as tobacco and alcohol consumption maybe negligible in women. However, National data on cardiovascular diseases in Nigerian women is presently lacking mainly due to poor research funding. T h e available data are from hospital-based studies. This study sought to determine the prevalence and pattern of the various cardiovascular risk factors in a cohort of apparently healthy women living in a rural part of Nigeria. Method: The study was a descriptive crosssectional study of 137 apparently healthy women residing in a rural community Anambra state. Questionnaires were used to obtain demographic data. Physical activity was assessed with a modified World Health Organization (WHO) Step questionnaire 9. Anthropometric measurements were taken for each subject. Fasting plasma glucose and serum total cholesterol levels were measured. Result: It w a s found that prevalence cardiovascular risk factors are high in rural communities in South East Nigeria. The risk is high even in middle-aged pre-menopausal women. Obesity and hypertension were found to be the driving force behind this increase. Conclusion: It is suggested that a current national survey for cardiovascular risk factors be done urgently as there appears to be an explosive increase in the prevalence of risk factors for CVD.