Prevalence of behavioral risk factors of cardiovascular diseases and associated socio-economic factors among pregnant women in a rural area in Southern Nepal

Abstract

BackgroundCardiovascular diseases (CVDs) have dramatically infiltrated populations living in abject poverty in Low- and Middle-income Countries (LMICs), and poor maternal and child health outcomes have been frequently reported for those with CVD risk factors. However, few studies have explored the behavioral risk factors of CVDs among pregnant women in rural settings. This study aimed at determining the prevalence and identifying the socio-economic predictors of behavioral risk factors of CVDs among pregnant women in rural area in Southern Nepal.MethodsA Community-based cross-sectional study was conducted in 52 clusters of Dhanusha District of Nepal in a total of 426 pregnant women in their second trimester using multistage cluster sampling method. Multivariable logistic regression model was used to assess independent associations between behavioral risk factors during pregnancy and maternal socio-economic characteristics.ResultsOf the 426 study participants, 86.9, 53.9, 21.3 and 13.3%, respectively, reported insufficient fruits and vegetables consumption, insufficient physical activity, tobacco use, and harmful alcohol drinking. Socio-economic factors significantly associated with more than one behavioral risk factors in expectant mothers with a primary level education (adjusted odds ratio (AOR) 2.78; 95% Confidence Interval (CI) (1.35–5.72)), 20–34 years age group (Adjusted Odds Ratio (AOR) 0.27; 95% CI (0.13–0.56)), and those with the highest wealth index (AOR 0.36; 95% CI (0.16–0.84)).ConclusionHigher prevalence of behavioral risk factors for CVDs and their socio-economic factors prevailing among pregnant women living in rural Nepal call for immediate health promotion interventions such as community awareness and appropriate antenatal counseling.

Prevalence and Factors Associated with Cardiovascular Lifestyle Risk Factors among Pregnant Women in Burkina Faso: Evidence from a Cross-Sectional Study

“…The most common cardiovascular lifestyle risk factor in pregnant women is physical inactivity, with a prevalence of 79.5%, which is higher than the prevalence reported in a survey of risk factors for non-communicable diseases in the general population in Burkina Faso (70.7%) [10]. Paudel et al, in a community-based cross-sectional study of 426 participants conducted in Nepal in 2018, showed a prevalence of 53.9% [20]. This may be explained by the general belief among the population (promoted by some local healthcare providers) that physical activity leads to undesirable pregnancy outcomes such as miscarriage, poor fetal growth, or premature delivery [30][31][32].…”

“…Five studies examined the risk factors for cardiovascular disease during pregnancy, such as smoking, alcohol consumption, low fruit, and vegetable consumption, daily salt intake, overweight or obesity, and hypertension [11,[15][16][17][18]. However, few studies have identified the predictors of cardiovascular lifestyle risk factors in pregnancy [20,21]. Therefore, this study aimed to determine the prevalence of, and factors associated with cardiovascular lifestyle risk factors in pregnant women in Burkina Faso.…”

Prevalence of knowledge on maternal physical activity among pregnant women: a protocol for a systematic review

“…Despite the recommendations, most pregnant women in many countries are physically inactive [17][18][19][20][21][22], and the inactivity increases as the pregnancy progresses [23,24]. Culture and cultural beliefs, misconceptions play a major role in the attitude towards exercise during pregnancy [24,25].…”

Socioeconomic status and risk factors for cardiovascular disease (CVD) among the residents of Jammu Division (J&K-India) - A Geo Medical Analysis

“…Cardiovascular diseases (CVDs) include disorders of heart and blood vessels, and are usually associated with atherosclerosis, heart attacks, strokes, valvular diseases, congenital heart diseases and arrhythmia [1]. Mortality resulting from CVDs reached 17.7 million globally in 2015, which represented 31% of all global deaths.…”