Prevalence of modifiable cardiovascular risk factors among undergraduate students in Kano Nigeria: A need for action

Abstract

Objective: Early adulthood is a period characterised by many lifestyle choices that could predispose an individual to cardiovascular disease (CVD) later in life. However, data on CVD risk factors among young adults in sub-Saharan Africa are lacking. We aim to determine the prevalence of modifiable CVD risk factors among undergraduates in Kano, Nigeria.

Methods: One hundred and fifty undergraduate students were recruited for this descriptive cross-sectional study. Blood pressure, weight, waist circumference, hip circumference, and height were measured using standard protocols. The body mass index was calculated as weight (kg) divided by height in square metre. Serum total cholesterol, triglycerides, and high-density lipoprotein cholesterol (HDL-c) were determined via an enzymatic method. Low-density lipoprotein cholesterol (LDL-c) was calculated using the Friedewald equation.

Results: The mean age of the participants was 23.12 ± 2.97 (17-31) years. Notably, 90% of the participants had at least one CVD risk factor and 65% had at least one abnormal lipid parameter. The prevalence of elevated systolic blood pressure, diastolic blood pressure, total cholesterol, triglycerides, LDL-c, and reduced HDL-c were 7.33%, 50%, 0.67%, 7.33%, 0.67%, and 58.67%, respectively. Moreover, the prevalence of general and truncal obesity were 0.67% and 4%, respectively, while the prevalence of metabolic syndrome and diabetes were 4% and 0%, respectively.

Conclusions: There is high prevalence of modifiable CVD risk factors among undergraduates in Kano, Nigeria. Thus, appropriate policies for screening, early detection, and treatment of these risk factors should be developed.

Keywords: CVD, Cardiovascular disease; Cardiovascular diseases; Cardiovascular risk factors; Cholesterol; Metabolic syndrome; Obesity; SSA, Sub-Saharan Africa; Students; Sub-Saharan Africa; WHO, World Health Organization; Young adult.