Prevalence of risk factors and adoption of primary prevention strategies for cardiovascular diseases among medical students

Abstract

Background: There exist very low level of awareness of cardiovascular risk factors and symptoms especially among the youth.

Objective: The aim of this study was to access the prevalence of the major risk factors of cardiovascular disease and adoption of the key primary prevention strategies for cardiovascular disease among clinical year medical students.

Design: This was a cross-sectional descriptive study.

Setting: University of Ghana Medical School, Korle-Bu Teaching Hospital, Accra.

Participants: Clinical year Medical Students.

Methodology: Data was collected by using a structured online questionnaire whilst anthropometric measurements was taken in-person. Demographic characteristics, physical activity, meal patterns, and knowledge of the primary prevention strategies and its adoption among respondents were summarized. Test of associations of the variables and risk factors were also examined. P-value <0.05 was set as significant.

Results: The knowledge of cardiovascular disease and its primary prevention strategies was high in this study population, with a high percentage of students adopting strategies to reduce their risk. The most prevalent risk factor for cardiovascular disease from this study was family history of diabetes and hypertension at 67.2% as well as being overweight or obese. There was association between hypertension and fasting blood glucose and smoking. None of the factors significantly predicted hypertension, and adoption of primary preventive strategies such as weight loss, physical activity and healthy food choices.

Conclusion: Efforts must be made to consolidate and improve the knowledge base also encourage the adoption of healthier lifestyles by medical students to reduce their risk of developing cardiovascular diseases.