Abstract
BackgroundCardiovascular disease has become a leading global health challenge representing the largest cause of mortality in adults worldwide. Non communicable diseases are neglected in Uganda over infectious diseases. With increased urbanization, there is likely increase in burden of these NCDs yet there is paucity of reliable data regarding the NCD burden. We assessed the prevalence of hypertension and other cardiovascular disease risk factors among medical students at Makerere University, College of Health Sciences in Kampala, Uganda.MethodsWe conducted a cross-sectional study at Makerere University comprising 180 medical students. We used a standardized questionnaire and anthropometric measurements to assess their cardiovascular disease risk factors using JNC-7. Logistic regression was used to assess factors associated with elevated blood pressure.ResultsOf the 180 students surveyed, 107 (59 %) were males, mean age was 22 years (SD = 3 years), and 159 (88 %) were in their preclinical years of training. Cardiovascular risk factors with the highest prevalence were alcohol consumption (31.7 %); elevated systolic blood pressure (14 %); and excessive salt intake (13 %). Participants with elevated systolic blood pressure were more likely to be older (OR = 1.18), overweight (OR = 1.08), and with a personal history of cardiovascular disease (OR = 4.68).ConclusionsThe prevalence of hypertension and known cardiovascular disease risk factors is high among the medical students. Strategies to prevent cardiovascular disease among the young population should be put in place.
Highlights
Cardiovascular disease has become a leading global health challenge representing the largest cause of mortality in adults worldwide
sub-Saharan Africa (SSA) is experiencing an epidemiological transition with a rapid increase in noncommunicable diseases(NCDs) including Cardiovascular diseases (CVD) [3,4,5,6] which adds strain to the already complex health situation resulting from the infectious disease burden in the region
This study conducted among medical students has shown a high prevalence of pre hypertension and hypertension among this young population of participants
Summary
Cardiovascular disease has become a leading global health challenge representing the largest cause of mortality in adults worldwide. We assessed the prevalence of hypertension and other cardiovascular disease risk factors among medical students at Makerere University, College of Health Sciences in Kampala, Uganda. Cardiovascular diseases (CVD) are among the leading causes of morbidity and mortality globally with hypertension ranking highest. SSA is experiencing an epidemiological transition with a rapid increase in noncommunicable diseases(NCDs) including CVD [3,4,5,6] which adds strain to the already complex health situation resulting from the infectious disease burden in the region [3, 7]. In Uganda, the prevalence of cardiovascular disease risk factors is high in both urban and rural populations [9,10,11]. Few studies have been conducted to assess these factors among the young population
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