Cardiovascular Risk Factors In Selected Media Personnel at a State-Owned Media House In Greater Accra

Abstract

Cardiovascular disease (CVD) is the number one cause of death globally: more people die annually from CVDs than from any other cause. An estimated 17.3 million people died from CVDs in 2008, representing 30% of all global deaths. In Africa, CVDs are the main non-communicable disease and account for 9.2% of total deaths in the region. In Accra, CVDs increased from being the 10th most frequent cause of death in 1966, to the number 1 cause of death for the years 1991 and 2001. Hypertensive heart disease accounted for 18% of CVDs recorded at the National Cardiothoracic Center (NCTC). Studies have shown a link between certain occupational exposures and CVDs. The lifestyle behaviours of media workers in Ghana may predispose them to the risk of CVDs, due to the nature of their work (high stress levels, poor eating habits, less sleep and shift work, etc). Aim: To assess cardiovascular risk factors among selected media personnel at the Headquarters of the Ghana Broadcasting Corporation, Accra, between the ages of 20 and 65, living and working in Accra. Method: The study was a cross-sectional study which involved 72 media personnel. Questionnaires were administered to assess socio-demographic factors, brief medical history, diet history, physical activity, smoking and alcohol status. Anthropometric and blood pressure measurements were also taken. About 5ml of fasting blood was taken by trained phlebotomists for analysis of fasting plasma glucose, serum triglycerides, total cholesterol, low density lipoprotein (LDL) cholesterol and high density lipoprotein (HDL) cholesterol. Serum and plasma from blood samples were analysed at the Diabetes Research and Chronic Disease Reference Laboratory, University of Ghana Medical School. Results: Most of the media workers (56.9%) ate averagely two main meals daily and about a third (30.6%) of the workers had snacks in between meals. Almost half of them bought meals from outside five times weekly whilst only a few were physically active (12.5%). Prevalence of CV risk factors such as obesity/overweight, diabetes, hypertension and high cholesterol were 55.6%, 4.2%, 12.5% and 54.2% respectively. There was no significant correlation between carbohydrate and fat intake and selected lipids. Conclusion: The study revealed that certain lifestyle behaviours among the media workers, such as snacking between meals, high frequency of buying meals outside, sedentary lifestyle and low dietary fibre intake could predispose them to acquiring CVDs. Modifiable cardiovascular risk factors such as overweight/obesity, dyslipidemia and hypertension are present among the media workers in Accra. Lifestyle modifications can therefore improve their cardiovascular health.