ISSN 2326-7291
International Journal of Public Health and Epidemiology ISSN: 2326-7291 Vol. 2 (5), pp. 085-089, November, 2013. © International Scholars Journals
Full Length Research Paper
Cardiovascular risk among Undergraduates in a Nigerian University
*1Johnson O.E, 1Adedoyin R.A, 1Awotidebe T.O, 1Mbada C.E, 1Otolorin O.A and 1Owoseni I
*1,Department of Medical Rehabilitation, College of Health Sciences, Obafemi Awolowo University, Ile – Ife, Nigeria.
*Corresponding author. E-mail: [email protected]
Accepted 18 September, 2013
Abstract
This study assessed the cardiovascular (CV) risk profile of undergraduate students of Obafemi Awolowo University, Nigeria. Seven hundred and ninety five copies of Framingham Heart study questionnaire were used to obtain information on CV risk factors; including smoking habit, sedentary lifestyle, diet, personality trait, age and gender. Participant’s blood pressure was obtained in sitting observing standard precautions. Weights and heights were obtained and body mass indices (BMI) and CV risk levels calculated. Data were analyzed using descriptive statistics and inferential statistics at 0.05 α-level. The mean age, weight, height and BMI of participants were 27.65±6.49years, 62.10±11.78kg, 1.65±0.86m, 22.91±4.29kg/m2 respectively. Participants were mostly in the low and moderate risk categories with only 15 (1.9%) of the 795 participants in high level of CV risk. Participants in high CV risk level were mostly in year 4. There was significant difference in age, weight and BMI of participants in the different faculties studied (p<0.05) but there was no significant difference in their heights (p>0.05). The study concluded that the majority of participants were mostly at low CV risk level. An awareness of CV disease is therefore strongly warranted so as to maintain such low levels of CV risk.
Keywords: Young adults, cardiovascular risk, CVD, Nigerian University, Framingham questionnaire, BMI.