PREVALENCE OF CARDIOVASCULAR DISEASE RISK FACTORSIN SEMI-URBAN COMMUNITIES OF NORTH-CENTRAL NIGERIA

Background:Several studies have estimated the prevalence of cardiovascular disease risk factors (CRFs) in various communities in Nigeria. However, few have investigated the prevalence patterns in semi-urban communitiesof North-Central Nigeria. We aim to determine the prevalence patterns of CRFs in this geographical location, as a result of the growing incidence of Sudden Cardiac Death (SCD) and Heart Failure (HF) in Nigeria. Methods:A cross-sectional epidemiological study was conducted. The study was conducted across nine (9) local government councils in the southern part of Benue state, one of the six (6) states that make up the North-Central region of Nigeria. Overall, 108 participants aged > 18 years participated in the study. Risk factors were estimated by collecting information about the participants age, weight, height, Body Mass Index (BMI), waist circumference, waist-hip ratio, systolic blood pressure, diastolic blood pressure, total cholesterol,HDL-cholesterol, triglyceride cholesterol, LDL-cholesterol, and fasting blood glucose. Questionnaires, results of laboratory and instrumental diagnosis were used to collect information about the variables. Results:The overall mean of age was 50.35 ± 22.02 years. Findings showed that the prevalence of the examined cardiovascular disease risk factors was as follows: hypertension – 55(52.4%), generalized obesity (BMI > 30) – 10(9.26%)abdominal obesity –35 (32.4%) diabetes –9 (8.3%), hypercholesterolemia – 17(15.7%). The result also indicated an increase in the prevalence of hypertension with an increase in age the indices of obesity increased significantly with age but later decreased slightly among the elderly. Conclusion:Findings from the study revealed that about half of the population were hypertensive. Other key risk factors were also prevalent in this population. There is a call on relevant stakeholders for important preventive and control initiatives for awareness, as this population is at high risk of the complications that arise from the underlying disease conditions.