Cardiovascular risk behaviour is an emerging health issue in developing countries: a cross-sectional study

Abstract

Background: Low and middle-income countries are facing a high burden of cardiovascular disease while there is limited availability of resources and evidence to educate and modify lifestyle behaviours in the population as well as to guide policy making. Aim: The goal of the present study was to quantify the prevalence of different cardiovascular risk behaviours among patients with known cardiovascular conditions in a developing country. Methods: A hospital-based cross-sectional survey was conducted in two referral hospitals in eastern Ethiopia. Outpatients who had a confirmed diagnosis of cardiovascular disease were recruited for the study. Data were collected through face-to-face interviews with patients using validated tools. Results: A total of 287 cardiovascular disease patients was recruited, of which 56.4% were women and 90.2% were urban residents. Most patients had inadequate consumption of fruit and vegetables, 51.6% were physically inactive, 20% were current khat chewers, 19% were current alcohol drinkers and only 1% were current smokers. Approximately one-third (30%) of the patients had one of these risk behaviours, more than half (51.9%) had two, 15% had three and 3.1% had four risk behaviours. The majority (70%) of the patients had multiple (more than two) risk behaviours. The prevalence of multiple risk behaviours did not significantly vary with sex, residence and educational level differences ( P>0.05). Conclusion: Cardiovascular disease patients continue to follow unhealthy lifestyles although they attend follow-up care with a specific focus on risk management. The findings of this study provide evidence for policy makers that health services reform is required to promote healthy lifestyle behaviours for the patients.

Patients’ knowledge on cardiovascular risk factors and associated lifestyle behaviour in Ethiopia in 2018: A cross-sectional study

“…Through our previous study [30], we have assessed five CV risk behaviours, i.e. smoking, alcohol drinking, khat chewing, fruit and vegetable intake and physical activity.…”

Awareness of heart disease and associated health behaviours in a developing country: A qualitative study

“…In support of this, it is also the least prevalent risk behaviour among known CVD patients. As we identified in our previous article, only 1% of CVD patients were current cigarette smokers (Negesa et al., 2019 ). A few patients in the current study reported they have ceased smoking as they understand it causes heart disease.…”

“…A semi‐structured interview guide was developed based on the authors' previous study findings; thus, the themes were developed under the questions of interest (Negesa et al., 2019 ). The interview guide contained open‐ended questions, which were designed to explore patients' understanding of heart disease and its sign and symptoms, self‐perceived heart disease risk, perceived severity of heart disease, and understanding about heart disease risk factors.…”

“…The rate of harmful alcohol consumption in Ethiopia is 8.94% (Ayano et al., 2019 ). A study revealed that 19% of known CVD patients are current alcohol drinkers (Negesa et al., 2019 ). In addition, khat chewing is a common unhealthy behaviour in eastern Africa; fresh leaves of the plant are chewed to achieve a state of euphoria and stimulation (Balint et al., 2009 ).…”

“…One in five known CVD patients is current khat chewers in Ethiopia. Moreover, more than half of CVD patients achieved a low level of physical activity (<600 MET minutes per week) (Negesa et al., 2019 ). Consumption of raw white meat is highly valued in Ethiopia; however, this increases the risk of heart disease due to its high cholesterol content (Seleshe et al., 2014 ).…”