Cardiovascular risk factors and non-communicable diseases in Abia state, Nigeria: report of a community-based survey

Abstract

Background: There is limited population based data on the prevalence of cardiovascular risk factors and non-communicable diseases in Nigeria, and Abia state in particular. Aims: The purpose of this survey was to determine the burden of non-communicable diseases as well as associated cardiovascular risk factors in the state using the World Health Organization steps approach. It is believed that information obtained will provide the basis for policies, plans and programs as well as evolve strategies in designing, implementing and evaluation of appropriate interventions that are geared towards controlling them. Methods: The house to house survey was conducted in randomly selected communities in Abia State of Nigeria. Respondents had their biophysical parameters measured: weight, height, waist circumference, hip circumference, pulse rate blood pressure and some biochemical parameters. Results: Women constituted 52.1% of the 2999 participants. The mean age of the participants was 41.7±18.5 years. Three hundred and eighty seven respondents had ever smoked cigarette, 373 men (96.4%) and 14 women (3.6%). Many of the respondents (65.5%) were engaged in work involving sedentary activity. Over eighty percent of the study populations were aware of cancer. Hypertension was present in 31.8% and diabetes mellitus in 3.6%. Obesity was present in 13.8% while low high density lipoprotein-cholesterol was detected in 54.1%. Conclusions: A suggestion is made for the establishment and strengthening of non-communicable diseases surveillance systems in the state. Surveillance of non-communicable diseases and associated risk factors using the World Health Organization stepwise surveillance for non-communicable diseases should be ongoing in the state and should be conducted every two years.

Keywords: Cardiovascular risk factors, non-communicable disease, hypertension, cholesterol, Abia, Nigeria