Cardiovascular Disease Risk Factors among Koforidua Technical University Staff: A Cross-Sectional Institutional-Based Study

Abstract

Background: Cardiovascular diseases are a global health threat. Among the triple burden of disease faced in Africa, cardiovascular diseases account for more mortality than infectious diseases among the adult population. Cardiovascular risk factors also contribute to disability, absenteeism, and low productivity in the Ghanaian community. This current research assessed the prevalence of cardiovascular risk factors among Koforidua Technical University staff. Methods: An institutional-based cross-sectional study was carried out among staff of Koforidua Technical University from August to October 2024. This study recruited participants by a stratified random sampling technique. Participants were categorized into two strata: teaching stratum and non-teaching stratum. A computer-generated random number method was employed to select independently126 individuals from the teaching stratum and another 126 individuals from the non teaching stratum, for the sample size of 252 participants. Participants were randomly enrolled from used to identify risk factors. clinic outpatient visits and offices. Data collected include a family history of CVD, current use of antihypertensive, and antidiabetic drugs. Measurements for anthropometric and blood pressure were performed using WHO guidelines. Logistic regression analysis in STATA 17 software was Results: The mean age of the 252 study participants was 44 years (range: 25 to 59). Most were males (71.4%), and 81.0% married. Key findings showed that 48.4% had a family history of CVD. Hypertension was found to be the most prevalent modifiable risk factor (40.5%), followed by obesity (33.7%) and diabetes, the lowest, at only 5.5%. A unit increase in age (≥30 years) increased the odds of developing high blood pressure by 72%, while each additional outpatient clinic visit reduced the odds by 78%. The socioeconomic factors associated with cardiovascular risk were marital status and accessibility to clinic services. Conclusion: Significant predictors emerged as non-modifiable risk factors were age, sex, and family history of CVD. Hypertension was the topmost cardiovascular risk factor, followed by obesity and diabetes. Socioeconomic factors identified were the marital status and clinic services accessibility. This calls for the clinical implementation of secondary prevention of CVD by government policymakers to improve access to healthcare in institutional community settings.