Prevalence of cardiovascular disease risk factors among public secondary school teachers in Udenu Local Government Area, Enugu State

Abstract

Background: There is a sudden increase in cardiovascular risk in developing countries which has been attributed to economic transition, urbanization, industrialization and globalization that brought about changes in people's lifestyle.

Methods: Cross-sectional design was adopted for this study. The population for this study was five hundred and sixty-five teachers while the sample for this study consisted of four hundred and seventy-seven teachers. Questionnaire was used to ascertain information on the sociodemographic characteristics, dietary habit, physical activity level and lifestyle characteristics of the respondents. Body mass index, blood pressure, blood glucose and lipid profile of the respondents were obtained using standard proceduresData was analyzed using Statistical Product and Service Solutions (SPSS) version 21.

Results: The results of the study showed the occurrence of some cardiovascular disease risk factors among teachers. They included obesity (28.60%), hypertension (20.30%), diabetes (10.00%), dyslipidemia (23.33%) and metabolic syndrome (10.00%). A good number of the respondents fall between the age range of 30-39years (46.70%) and earned between ₦18,000 to ₦30,000 per month (54.30%). Majority (83.00%) of the respondents were females. Female teachers were significantly more obese than the males. Marital status showed a significant relationship with stress. BMI was significantly associated with age. Diastolic blood pressure showed significant relationship with age.

Objective: The study was conducted to ascertain the prevalence of cardiovascular disease risk factors among public secondary school teachers in Udenu L.G.A. in Enugu state, Nigeria.

Conclusion: The prevalence of cardiovascular disease risk factors was high among the study participants. Nutrition education is important among this group to help in preventing these risk factors and their associated morbidities and consequent mortalities.