Risk factors of CVDs among residents of resource-limited rural settings. Preliminary findings based on a cross-sectional study, Ghana.

backgroundsCardiovascular disease (CVD) risk factors lead to morbidity and mortality among adults globally. In Ghana, there is a lack of coordinated efforts at all levels of healthcare service to prevent risk factors of cardiovascular disease (CVD). This study assessed cardiovascular disease risk factors among residents of resource-limited rural settings.

methodsThis descriptive cross-sectional design is the first phase of a two-year community-level study aimed at implementing an intervention to reduce CVD risk in a rural community in Ghana. The study population included 379 people living in the Avenui community. We conducted a nurse-led door-to-door visit, screened for CVD risk, provided health education, and collected data using an adapted questionnaire. The data were analyzed using SPSS. Categorical data were expressed as frequencies and proportions, and the Chi-Square test of associations. A multivariable logistic regression analysis with a backward elimination method was used to examine the association of the risk factors with the risk of developing CVD.

resultsThe CVD risk among participants was categorized as 'very high' (35.4%), high (55.4%), and low or moderate (9.2%). There was a positive correlation between lifestyle (r = 0.126, p-value < 0.05), stress (r = 0.114, p-value < 0.05), blood sugar level (r = 0.102, p-value < 0.05) inflammation and pain (r = 0.109, p-value < 0.05), and high blood pressure (r = 0.268, p-value < 0.01) with history of CVD. CVD high risk was significantly associated with marital status (p-value = 0.001), employment status (p-value = 0.001), perception of personal health (p-value = 0.045), lifestyle (p-value = 0.034), knowledge of peripheral arterial disease (p-value = 0.018), and knowledge on deep vein thrombosis and pulmonary embolism (p-value = 0.002). The backward multiple logistic regression model was significant (78.912, p-value < 0.001) with a non-significant Hosmer and Lemeshow Test (2.145, p-value = 0.976) and a Cox & Snell R Square and Nagelkerke R Square of 0.393 and 0.619, respectively. The significant predictors of a 'very high' CVD risk include marital status being single (p-value = 0.001), those that exercise only two (2) times a week (p-value = 0.001) employment status being part-time worker (p-value = 0.015), poor perception of overall personal health (p-value < 0.001), and those listening to the radio (p-value = 0.024).

conclusionThe risk factors associated with CVD were identified to be multiple and interacted variable among rural community dwellers. These factors included marital status, exercise, employment, perception of health, and listening to the radio. We recommend implementing primary prevention strategies that involve adopting a comprehensive assessment and management of the risk factors of CVD in Ghana.