Asymptomatic University Students Research Articles

Diet Profile in Asymptomatic University Students of FACSA Cohort Colonized by Blastocystis: Brief Report

Diet Profile in Asymptomatic University Students of FACSA Cohort Colonized by Blastocystis: Brief Report

Low uptake of COVID-19 lateral flow testing among university students: a mixed methods evaluation

ObjectiveThis study aimed to evaluate COVID-19 lateral flow testing (LFT) among asymptomatic university students. Study designThis study was a mixed methods evaluation of LFT among University of Bristol students. MethodsWe conducted (1) an analysis of testing uptake and exploration of demographic variations in uptake using logistic regression; (2) an online student survey about views on university testing; and (3) qualitative interviews to explore participants’ experiences of testing and subsequent behaviour, analysed using a thematic approach. ResultsA total of 12,391 LFTs were conducted on 8025 of 36,054 (22.3%) students. Only one in 10 students had the recommended two tests. There were striking demographic disparities in uptake with those from ethnic minority groups having lower uptake (e.g. 3% of Chinese students were tested vs 30.7% of White students) and variations by level and year of study (ranging from 5.3% to 33.7%), place of residence (29.0%–35.6%) and faculty (15.2%–32.8%). Differences persisted in multivariable analyses. A total of 436 students completed the online survey, and 20 in-depth interviews were conducted. Barriers to engagement with testing included a lack of awareness, knowledge and understanding, and concerns about the accuracy and safety. Students understood the limitations of LFTs but requested further information about test accuracy. Tests were used to inform behavioural decisions, often in combination with other information, such as the potential for exposure to the virus and perceptions of vulnerability. ConclusionsThe low uptake of testing brings into question the role of mass LFT in university settings. Innovative strategies may be needed to increase LFT uptake among students.

Impairments in odour detection and hedonic ratings of unpleasant smells in asymptomatic university students as SARS-Cov-2 emerged locally.

Sudden olfactory loss in the absence of concurrent nasal congestion is now a well-recognized symptom of COVID-19. We examined olfaction using standardized objective tests of odour detection, identification and hedonics collected from asymptomatic university students before and as SARS-CoV-2 emerged locally. Olfactory performance of students who were tested when the virus is known to be endemic (n= 22) was compared to students tested in the month prior to viral circulation (n= 25), a normative sample assessed during the previous 4 years (n= 272) and those tested in prior years during the same time period. Analyses showed significantly reduced odour detection for the virus exposed cohort compared to students tested before (t= 2.60; P= .01; d=0.77; CI 0.17, 1.36) and to the normative sample (D=0.38; P= .005). Odour identification scores were similar, but the exposed cohort rated odours as less unpleasant (P< .001, CLES =0.77). Hyposmia increased 4.4-fold for students tested 2 weeks before school closure (N= 22) and increased 13.6-fold for students tested in the final week (N= 11). While the unavailability of COVID-19 testing is a limitation, this naturalistic study demonstrates week-by-week increase in hyposmia in asymptomatic students as a virus was circulating on campus, consistent with increasing airborne viral loads. The specific hedonic deficit in unpleasantness appraisal suggests a deficit in the TAAR olfactory receptor class, which conveys the social salience of odours. Assessment of odour detection and hedonic ratings may aid in early detection of SARS-CoV-2 exposure in asymptomatic and pre-symptomatic persons.

The rate of asymptomatic throat carriage of Streptococcus pyogenes and its associated risk factors among Kabul University students

Streptococcus pyogenes (S. pyogenes) is the main agent of acute pharyngitis and skin infections that may result in the late complications of glomerulonephritis and rheumatic fever. Infection with streptococcus group A is a global health problem, which is most common in children and adults. This study was conducted to investigate the rate of S. pyogenes throat carriers and its main risk factors among healthy students of Kabul university. In the present study pharyngeal swabs of 260, [155 (59.6%) were male and 105 (40.4%) were female] asymptomatic university students aged between 19-30 years, were collected and immediately transported to the laboratory for detection of S. pyogenes following standard microbiological procedures. Production of beta hemolytic colonies on blood agar, sensitivity to bacitracin antibiotic, gram stain positivity, catalase negativity test and streptococcal grouping latex kit (ProlexTM) tests were used to identify and differentiate S. pyogenes from other streptococcus spp. Statistical analysis of data was performed using SPSS 21, Chi-square and Logistic regression tests were applied for the categorical data analysis. A P value equal to or less than 0.05 was considered statistically significant. Totally 61 (23.5%) beta hemolytic streptococci were isolated from 260 samples. Among 61 beta hemolytic isolates, 44 (16.9%) were identified as S. pyogenes. The colonization rate of S. pyogenes was higher in male 25 (56.8%) than female 19 (43.2%), which was not statistically significant (p=0.678). Age, residence of the students at hostel and shared utensil use were not statistically significant (p=0.088, p= 0.449, p=0.241 respectively), but the number of children in the family was an important risk factor. People with 1-3 children had a 23-fold higher risk (p˂0.05), and people with 4-6 children had a 27-fold higher risk of carrying S. pyogenes, than those who did not had any children (p˂0.05). In the present study the asymptomatic throat carriage rate of S. pyogenes among Kabul University students, was high. Among all risk factors the number of children in the family was significantly associated with S. pyogenes throat carriage.

Occurrence and Antibiogram of Extended-Spectrum Cephalosporin- and Cephamycin-Resistant Escherichia coli in Asymptomatic University Students

Background: Apparently healthy individuals could serve as reservoirs and disseminators of extendedspectrum cephalosporin (ESC)- and cephamycin (cefoxitin, FOX)-resistant, and extended-spectrum β-lactamase-producing (ESBL-P) Escherichia coli which jeopardizes antibacterial therapy thereby posing a threat to the health of infected individuals/carriers. Objectives: This study aimed to screen healthy asymptomatic students in the University of Nigeria, Nsukka (UNN) as potential reservoirs of ESC- and FOX-resistant and ESBL-P E. coli and to determine the antibacterial resistance profile. Materials and Methods: Anal swabs were collected from 190 randomly selected healthy asymptomatic students of both genders in UNN between March and July 2018. ESC-resistant E. coli was isolated using MacConkey agar with 2 µg/mL ceftazidime. ESBL production was assessed by combination disc method while cephamycin resistance was determined using cefoxitin disc screening. Phenotypic resistance of the isolates was determined using disc diffusion method. Results: Out of 190 samples, 20 (10.2%) demonstrated growth. Of these, 6 (30%) were FOX resistant (putative AmpC-producers) but none produced ESBL. The resistance of the isolates was 100% to ampicillin (AMP), 95% to ceftazidime (CAZ), tetracycline (TET) and sulfamethoxazole-trimethoprim (SXT), 30% to FOX and chloramphenicol (CHL), 85% to ciprofloxacin (CIP), enrofloxacin (ENR) and streptomycin (STR), and 65% to kanamycin (KAN). All the isolates were susceptible to meropenem (MEM). Among the 20 isolates, 1 (5%) was resistant to 2 classes of antibacterial agents while 19 (95%), including all the FOX-resistant strains, were resistant to ≥ 3 classes of antibacterial agents. The isolates exhibited 11 multiple antibacterial resistance patterns with AMP, CAZ, FOX, TET, CIP, ENR, STR, KAN, SXT being predominant. Conclusion: Healthy asymptomatic students in UNN are potential reservoirs and disseminators of ESC- and cephamycin (FOX)-resistant E. coli.

Screening for Helicobacter pylori Infection among Asymptomatic University Students in Alexandria, Egypt, Using Non Invasive Laboratory Technique

Screening for Helicobacter pylori Infection among Asymptomatic University Students in Alexandria, Egypt, Using Non Invasive Laboratory Technique

Forward head posture is associated with pressure pain threshold and neck pain duration in university students with subclinical neck pain

Objective: The aims of this study are to investigate the association between: (i) forward head posture (FHP) and pressure pain thresholds (PPTs); (ii) FHP and maladaptive cognitive processes; and (iii) FHP and neck pain characteristics in university students with subclinical neck pain.Materials/methods: A total of 140 university students, 90 asymptomatic and 50 with subclinical neck pain, entered the study. Demographic data, anthropometric data, FHP, and PPTs were collected for both groups. In addition, pain characteristics, pain catastrophizing, and fear of movement were assessed for participants with neck pain. FHP was characterized by the angle between C7, the tragus of the ear, and the horizontal line. Correlation analysis and multivariate regression analysis were conducted.Results: Participants with subclinical neck pain showed significantly lower PPTs than participants without neck pain (p < .05), but similar FHP (p > .05). No significant association was found between FHP and PPTs in the asymptomatic group. In the group of participants with subclinical neck pain, PPTs at the right trapezius and neck pain duration explained 19% of the variance of FHP (R2 = 0.23; adjusted R2 = 0.19; p < .05).Conclusion: This study suggests that FHP is not associated with PPTs in asymptomatic university students. In university students with subclinical neck pain, increased FHP was associated with right trapezius hypoalgesia and with neck pain of shorter duration. These findings are in contrast with current assumptions on the association between neck pain and FHP.

Therapeutic heat and cold around the elbow on the response of median neurodynamic test 1

ObjectiveTo compare the effects of the application of therapeutic heat and cold on the mechanical response of the median nerve neurodynamic testing. DesignSingle-blinded randomized crossover trial. Methodology56 asymptomatic university students (mean age = 21.82 ± 1.64 years) of either gender with a limited elbow extension range of motion during a Median Neurodynamic Test 1 were recruited. Each subject was administered 3 testing conditions on separate days with a 24-hr washout period. The interventions included 1) therapeutic moist heat around the elbow, 2) therapeutic cold around the elbow and 3) no thermal agent as a controlled condition. Outcome measure of elbow extension range of motion at the onset of pain and submaximal pain were recorded before the intervention, immediately after the removal of the thermal agents (20th min) and at 2 subsequent readings of 30 min and 1 hour after the removal of the thermal agent. ResultsThere was a significant effect of using a thermal agent with time on the elbow range of motion at the onset of pain [F(2,165) = 3.622, p = 0.029] and submaximal pain[F(2,165) = 3.841, p = 0.023] at the 20th min. A posthoc comparison indicated that at the 20th min the mean elbow range at the onset of pain and submaximal pain for the therapeutic heat condition (mean = 33.5, S.D = 13.37 and mean = 16.80, S.D = 12.99 respectively) was significantly different than the no thermal agent condition (mean = 40.17, S.D = 12.34 and mean = 23.4, S.D = 13.82 respectively). However, therapeutic cold condition did not significantly differ from both the other conditions. ConclusionTherapeutic heat causes an immediate increase in elbow extension range of motion during a Median Neurodynamic Test1 and testing post the application of thermal agents can alter the test response.

Iron deficiency and iron deficiency anemia in the adult omani population

Context: The prevalence of iron deficiency anemia (IDA) in adults from the Sultanate of Oman is unknown. Aims: The aim of this study was to assess the prevalence of IDA and latent iron deficiency (ID) in students admitted to a university hospital. Settings and Design: This is a prospective, cross-sectional cohort study. Subjects and Methods: In asymptomatic university students, blood samples were obtained for blood counts and iron status after obtaining consent. Students who were found to have IDA or ID were given oral iron therapy for a minimum of 3 months to study the response to treatment. Statistical Analysis Used: Student's t-test (continuous variables) and Chi-square test (categorical variable) were used for statistical analysis. Results: The mean age + standard deviation was 21 + 1.3 years with a range from 17 to 29 years in 350 students, with 274 students being females (78.8%). Using the World Health Organization criteria, 91 (26%), 133 (38%), and 126 (36%) students, respectively, were classified as IDA, ID, and normal. HPLC showed that 28 students had sickle cell trait (HbS: 26%–35%), and one each had sickle cell disease (HbS 92%), Hb C trait (31%), Hb D trait (30%), Hb E trait (19%), and delta gene variant (HbA2 – 1.6%). Among the students who received treatment (52 IDA and 20 ID), Hb, mean corpuscular volume, mean corpuscular hemoglobin, and serum ferritin showed statistically significant improvement after oral iron therapy (P Conclusions: The prevalence of IDA was 26% and that of ID was 38%, with a preponderance of females.

A morphological adaptation? The prevalence of enlarged external occipital protuberance in young adults.

Enthesophytes are bony projections that arise from the sites of ligament, tendon or joint capsule attachment to a bone. They are seen rarely in radiographic findings in young adults, as these bony adaptations are assumed to develop slowly over time. However, in recent years, the presence of an enlarged external occipital protuberance (EEOP) has been observed frequently in radiographs of relatively young patients at the clinic of the lead author. Accordingly, the aim of this project was to assess the prevalence of an EEOP in a young adult population. Analysis involved a retrospective analysis of 218 lateral cervical radiographic studies of 18-30-year-old participants. Group A (n = 108; males = 45, females = 63) consisted of asymptomatic university students, while Group B (n = 110; males = 50, females = 60) were an age-matched mildly symptomatic, non-student population. The external occipital protuberance (EOP) size was defined as the distance from the most superior point of the EOP (origin) to a point on the EOP that is most distal from the skull. To avoid ambiguity, the threshold for recording the size of an EOP was set at 5 mm, and an EOP was classified as enlarged if it exceeded 10 mm. Reliability testing was also undertaken. Results indicated that an EEOP was present in 41% of the total population, with 10% of all participants presenting with an EOP≥ 20 mm. An EEOP was significantly more common in males (67.4%) than in females (20.3%), with the mean EEOP size for the combined male population (15 ± 7 mm) being significantly larger (P < 0.001) than for females (10 ± 4 mm). The longest EEOP in the male population was 35.7 mm, while in the female population it was 25.5 mm. Additionally, the mean EEOP size for Group A (14 ± 7 mm) was also significantly greater (P = 0.006) than that recorded for Group B (12 ± 6 mm). This study identified that an EEOP is a condition that is prevalent in the populations tested. The age of the populations, and the prevalence of EEOP, suggest that biomechanical drivers for this phenomenon may be the main reason for this condition in these populations.

Reliability of knee joint position sense measurement: a comparison between goniometry and image capture methods

The aim of this study was to evaluate the intrarater and interrater reliability of handheld goniometry compared to image capture (IMC) in the assessment of joint position sense (JPS) in healthy participants. A repeated-measures observational study was undertaken with 36 asymptomatic university students of both genders aged 18–45 years. JPS in the knee was assessed by two assessors over two sessions (1 week interval) using handheld goniometry and IMC methods. JPS was assessed at four target knee flexion angles. Intrarater and interrater reliability was assessed with absolute error (AE), relative error (RE) and intraclass correlation coefficient (ICC). Interrater reliability for goniometry was poor to substantial (ICC 0.00 to 0.64) and for IMC was poor to moderate (ICC 0.00 to 0.47). Intrarater reliability for goniometry was poor to moderate (ICC 0.00 to 0.42) and for IMC was poor to moderate (ICC 0.00 to 0.41). AE for goniometry ranged from 3.2° to 8.6° and RE from 0.1° to –8.3°. AE for IMC ranged from 5.3° to 12.5° and RE from 0.1° to 11.1°. Neither goniometry nor IMC appeared to be superior to the other in JPS assessment. Caution should be applied when considering the reliability of goniometry and IMC before making a clinical assessment.

Virulence and antimicrobial resistance of common urinary bacteria from asymptomatic students of Niger Delta University, Amassoma, Bayelsa State, Nigeria

Background:Asymptomatic bacteriuria frequently occurs among all ages with the possibility of developing into urinary tract infections, and the antimicrobial resistance patterns of the etiologic organisms are essential for appropriate therapy. Thus, we investigated the virulence and antimicrobial resistance patterns of common urinary bacteria in asymptomatic students of Niger Delta University, Amassoma, Bayelsa State, Nigeria in a cross-sectional study.Materials and Methods:Clean catch mid-stream early morning urine samples collected from 200 asymptomatic University students of aged ranges 15–30 years were cultured, screened and common bacteria were identified using standard microbiological procedures. The isolates were screened for hemolysin production and their susceptibility to antibiotics was determined using standard disc assay method.Results:A total prevalence rate of 52.0% significant bacteriuria was detected and it was significantly higher among the female with a weak association (χ2 = 6.01, phi = 0.173, P = 0.014). The Klebsiella pneumoniae and Staphylococcus aureus isolates were most frequently encountered among the isolated bacteria and 18 (12.7%) of all the bacterial isolates produced hemolysins. All the bacterial isolates exhibited 50–100% resistance to the tested beta-lactam antibiotics, tetracycline and co-trimoxazole. The isolated bacteria were 85-100% multi-drug resistant. However, most of the isolates were generally susceptible to gentamicin and ofloxacin. The phenotypic detection of extended-spectrum beta-lactamases was 9 (9.6%) among the tested Gram-negative bacterial isolates.Conclusions:The observed high proportions of multidrug resistant urinary bacteria among asymptomatic University students call for the need of greater control of antibiotic use in this study area.

Evaluation of Fixation Disparity Curve Parameters With the Modified Near Mallett Unit in Symptomatic and Asymptomatic University Students

BackgroundResearch suggests that fixation disparity data are extremely useful in the assessment of the binocular and accommodative systems.ObjectivesThe purpose of this study was to evaluate fixation disparity curve (FDC) parameters with a modified near Mallett unit in symptomatic and asymptomatic students of Paramedical Sciences School of Mashhad University of Medical Sciences in 2007.Patients and MethodsIn this analytical-descriptive study, 100 students were selected randomly and divided into symptomatic and asymptomatic groups. Fixation disparity curve parameters were determined for each subject and compared in symptomatic and asymptomatic groups.ResultsThere were more subjects with exo fixation disparity than eso fixation disparity in the study sample. The means for fixation disparity, fixation disparity curve x-intercept, and slope with the modified Mallett unit were each significantly different by Mann-Whitney U test in the symptomatic and asymptomatic groups. Also there was a significant difference in the distributions of fixation disparity curve types in the two symptom groups by Chi-square test.ConclusionsThe X-intercepts (point at which the FDC crosses the X-axis) were on average more in the base-in direction, Y-intercepts (point at which the FDC crosses the Y-axis) were shifted in the exo direction, and slopes were steeper in the symptomatic group.

Bacteriuria and Antimicrobial Susceptibility of Escherichia coli Isolated From Urine of Asymptomatic University Students in Keffi, Nigeria

: Background: Asymptomatic bacteriuria can develop into symptomatic urinary tract infection.Objectives: This study investigated asymptomatic Escherichia coli bacteriuria among undergraduate students of Nasarawa State University, Keffi, Nigeria, and the antimicrobial susceptibility of bacterial isolates from these subjects.Patients and Methods: Four hundred urine samples were collected from consenting healthy male and female students. The bacterial load of each sample was determined by spread plate count on nutrient agar. E. coli was isolated and antimicrobial susceptibility of the isolates to common antibiotics was evaluated by the disc-diffusion method.Results: Of the urine samples, 80 (20%) showed significant bacteriuria, with a higher prevalence in females (25%) than in males (15%). While 60% of E. coli isolates from male samples were susceptible to pefloxacin or gentamicin, 3.3% were susceptible to amoxicillin/clavulanic acid. Twenty-seven (90%) E. coli isolates from male samples had multiple antibiotic resistance (MAR), with 37% being resistant to 5 antibiotics and possessing MAR indices of 0.5. Forty-nine (98%) of the E. coli isolates from female samples had MAR, with 13 (26.5%) being resistant to 6 antimicrobial agents and possessing MAR indices of 0.6.Conclusions: Significant bacteriuria is observed among the students of Nasarawa State University, with a higher prevalence in females than in males. Pefloxacin, ofloxacin, and gentamicin are effective against E. coli isolates from the urine of these students. Implication for health policy/practice/research/medical education: This study has highlighted the need to include asymptomatic bacteriuria investigation as part of the medical laboratory examination for students especially new entrants, in tertiary institutions as we have observed that they could be incubating asymptomatic infection and ordinarily would not go to see a doctor. Finally, the study also provides information on the likely choice of antibiotics to treat infections that might arise from these organisms. Please cite this paper as: Ngwai YB, Iliyasu H, Young E, Owuna G. Bacteriuria and Antimicrobial Susceptibility of Escherichia coli Isolated From urine of Asymptomatic University Students in Keffi, Nigeria. Jundishapur J Microbiol. 2012;5(1):323-7. DOI: 10.5812/kowsar.20083645.2372 © 2012, AJUMS. Published by Kowsar M.P.Co. All rights reserved.

A pilot randomized control trial investigating the effect of mindfulness practice on pain tolerance, psychological well-being, and physiological activity

Objective To investigate the effect of mindfulness training on pain tolerance, psychological well-being, physiological activity, and the acquisition of mindfulness skills. Methods Forty-two asymptomatic University students participated in a randomized, single-blind, active control pilot study. Participants in the experimental condition were offered six (1-h) mindfulness sessions; control participants were offered two (1-h) Guided Visual Imagery sessions. Both groups were provided with practice CDs and encouraged to practice daily. Pre–post pain tolerance (cold pressor test), mood, blood pressure, pulse, and mindfulness skills were obtained. Results Pain tolerance significantly increased in the mindfulness condition only. There was a strong trend indicating that mindfulness skills increased in the mindfulness condition, but this was not related to improved pain tolerance. Diastolic blood pressure significantly decreased in both conditions. Conclusion Mindfulness training did increase pain tolerance, but this was not related to the acquisition of mindfulness skills.

An electromyographical study to investigate the effects of patellar taping on the vastus medialis/vastus lateralis ratio in asymptomatic participants

It is commonly theorised that patellofemoral pain syndrome (PFPS) is caused by maltracking due to vastus medialis (VM) weakness relative to the vastus lateralis (VL). Despite this being a controversial theory, patellar taping is a commonly used technique that purports to correct this muscle imbalance by increasing the VM/VL ratio. The effects of different forms of taping on vasti muscle activity are still not known. The objective of this study was to investigate the effects of three different types of patellar taping on the VM/VL ratio in asymptomatic university students. Each participant performed a set of four single–legged squats under four separate taping conditions: A) medial, B) lateral, C) neutral, and D) no-tape. The condition sequence was randomised. The main outcome measure was the normalised VM/VL ratio, assessed by using surface electromyography.Secondary outcome measures were the normalised EMG activity of the VM and the VL. A convenience sample of 24 (17 females) students (22 ± 10 years, M ± SD) completed this study. The lateral taping condition produced small but significantly greater VM/VL ratios than the medial (p = 0.007) and neutral (p = 0.007) but not the no-tape (p = 0.123) condition. There were no significant differences between the medial, neutral, and no-tape conditions. These results question whether patellar taping can impart a clinically significant effect on the VM/VL ratio. The results of this study cannot be directly extrapolated to a patient population, and further research in the PFPS population is required before clinical recommendations can be made.

MEASURING CORE STRENGTH AND CORE STABILITY

Core strength and core stability have become buzzwords in the development of training programs for not only individuals with low-back pain (LBP) but also asymptomatic athletes. Although there are numerous means to test the strength of the musculature of the trunk that serves as the basis for core strength and stability, these tests typically do not consider the neuromuscular control element that is crucial to these variables. The Stabilometer was originally developed by Lafayette Instrument Co. to measure standing balance; however, its extreme sensitivity permits registration of any deviation from motionless posturing. Because of these attributes, and because it is of sufficient size to evaluate balance in quadruped-based positions used in core stability training, the ability to perform such activities on a Stabilometer should be a good indicator of core strength/stability. PURPOSE: To examine the feasibility of using the Stabilometer to evaluate subject ability to perform select core strength training activities. METHODS: The subjects were 22 asymptomatic university students (10m, 12f). Each subject did three repetitions of six core strength tasks (static and dynamic balance from 3 and 4- point quadruped positions, the supine dead bug exercise, and a bridging task). The data collected included (a) time in balance for each of the 6 tests (i.e., 3 30s trials for each for a total of 18 30s trials) and (b) subject perceived difficulty for each of the 6-balance tests. RESULTS: The findings that were of particular interest include: (a) females performed better than males on all 6-tests (significantly so one of the 3-point balance tests), (b) male perceived exertion was greater than that of females on five of the six tests but on only one was the difference significant, and (c) the highest score for both genders was on the bridging task but for males this task was rated as being the most difficult. CONCLUSIONS: The Stabilometer tests used appear to present reliable and effective measures of the construct of core strength and stability and warrant further study.

Factores de riesgo cardiovascular en estudiantes universitarios chilenos

To study the prevalence of cardiovascular risk factors in asymptomatic university students of both sexes, aged 18 to 25 years. Serum lipid levels were measured in a subsample of 293 subjects, using a Hitachi 717 chemical analyzer. Obesity was classified using body mass index (BMI) measurements. A self-applied questionnaire was used to collect data on sedentary life style, family history of cardiovascular disease and cigarette smoking. Statistical associations of lipid levels with lipidic and non-lipidic risk factors were assessed using Pearson's chi-square test and multiple regression. We found lipid risk levels in 29.2% for total cholesterol (CT), 16.2% for low-density lipoproteins (C-LDL) and 5% for high-density lipoproteins (C-HDL). The main non-lipidic factors were smoking (46.1%) and sedentarism (60.8%). Obesity, hypertension and parental history of myocardial infarction were present in 1.9%, 4.6% and 11%, respectively. We observed an association of a lipid risk profile with obesity, cigarette smoking and family history. The results show that sedentarism and smoking are associated with a lipid risk profile. These results call for the need to develop appropriate behavior strategies for the successful prevention of cardiovascular disease.