Assessment of Cardiovascular Disease Risk Factors among School Children in Private Schools in Karachi, Pakistan: A Pilot Study

Abstract

The prevalence of cardiovascular diseases is increasing in Pakistan due to unhealthy life style, and lack of awareness. As these diseases have their origin in the early period of life therefore, the prevention of these diseases in early stage is necessary to prevent and control them. This study aimed at identifying the children at higher risk for developing CVDs at their later ages, and providing more focused interventions for them. A cross sectional pilot study was conducted at a private school in Karachi, Pakistan. A total of 24 students (10 boys, 14 girls) were selected through a systematic random sampling. Data was collected through a structured questionnaire. Their height and weight were taken to calculate BMI. Majority of the study participants (66.7 and 62.5%) reported that CVDs were the leading cause of death among the adults in Pakistan, while 25% were not aware. Only 29.2% agreed that CVDs were preventable diseases. They had poor knowledge regarding the prevention of CVDs, 50 % reported only exercise as being a preventive measure of CVDs. The mean time spent on doing home work was 19.46 hours/week, and doing sedentary recreational activity was 15.80 hours/week for both genders. Boys were more active, and they showed less tendency of obesity/overweight as compared to girls. The findings of this study highlight a significant lack of knowledge of modifiable risk factors among the study participants. The results suggest a need of planning health promotion program through schools by focusing on children and their parents in a participatory approach.