The Health Of The University Of Ghana Community I: Prevalence Of Risk Factors For Cardiovascular Diseases Among Workers

ABSTRACT INTRODUCTION: Cardiovascular Diseases (CVD) are the class of diseases that involve the heart or blood vessels. Globally, CVDs are the largest killers, claiming 17.1million lives a year. Populations of Sub-Saharan African descent are at an increased risk of developing CVDs. In Ghana, there has been a documented increase in prevalence rates of hypertension and diabetes over the last fifty years. A study done in the University of Ghana in 2006 to screen all the workers, showed a prevalence of 13.8% and 61% of undiagnosed Hypertension and Diabetes respectively. This study was carried out to determine the prevalence of risk factors associated with Cardiovascular Diseases in workers of University of Ghana, Legon. METHODS: A cross-sectional study was done. 383 respondents were randomly selected and data on demographic characteristics and potential risk factors for CVDs were collected through a structured questionnaire. Physical and biochemical measurements were taken and data entered and analyzed using Epi Info software. FINDINGS: The prevalence of Hypertension and Diabetes were 25.8% and 4.2% respectively. 49.4% and 55.6%were undiagnosed for Hypertension and Diabetes respectively. 30% were overweight and 13.1% were obese. The prevalences of high fasting blood glucose, high total cholesterol, high LDL cholesterol, high triglyceride levels and low HDL cholesterol were 4.2%, 29.3%, 11.6%, 1.9%, and 10.2% respectively. Overall, 14.1% of respondents had a good knowledge of CVDs. 45.2% had partial knowledge and 40.7% did not know what CVDs were. DISCUSSION AND CONCLUSION: The high level of ignorance about CVDs can be addressed by implementing effective education programmes for workers of the x University to increase their knowledge. Knowledge of these risk factors can help reduce the incidence of the disease. The high prevalence of Diabetes calls for regular screening of the workers to promote early detection and prompt treatment. Keywords: prevalence, cardiovascular diseases, workers of University of Ghana, Legon