Abstract:
Background– Cardiovascular Diseases account for 44% of all Non-communicable Disease deaths. Early detection and take preventive measures can reduce negative consequence of this illness. However, the risk of cardiovascular diseases is not commonly assessed in low-income countries.
Study objectives: To assess the cardiovascular risks using Reynolds’s Risk Score and behavioral risk factors in apparently healthy individuals in Addis Ababa.
Methods An instutional based retrospective cross-sectional study was conducted among individuals who attended International clinical laboratory’s wellness program from January 1 2019 to May 1 2020 in Addis Ababa, Ethiopia. The wellness program were collected in accordance to the World Health Organization stepwise approach for Non-communicable Disease surveillance in developing countries, which includes questionnaire to assesses risk factors, physical measurements and biochemical tests
Result The prevalence of being in the high-risk category to develop cardiovascular disease in the next ten years in apparently healthy Addis Ababa residents was 17. 7% (CI 95 % (15.7% - 19.6%)); 5.1% (CI 95 % (3.6% - 7.1%)) in females and 26.8% (CI 95 % (23.9% - 30.0%)) in males. Not performing physical exercise on regular basis (AOR: 5.16 CI: 1.38 -24.23), having diastolic blood pressure between 90 mmHg and 119 mmHg (AOR: 5.16, CI: 1.38 -19.24), and serum fasting glucose level > 125 mg/dl (AOR: 4.74, CI 1.70 -13.20) were significant associated with Reynolds’s Risk Score‘s high risk category in females. The risk factors in males include having personal history of hypertension (AOR:3.00 CI: 2.00 – 4.42) , family history of hypertension, (AOR: 0.39 CI:0.24 – 0.65), having diastolic blood pressure between 90 mmHg and 119 mmHg (AOR: 1.87, CI: 1.16 -3.05), and serum fasting glucose level > 125 mg/dl (AOR: 1.70 CI: 1.03 – 2.8)
Conclusion and recommendation. Almost one-fifth of apparent healthy Addis Ababa residents were in high risk of category for developing cardiovascular diseases in the next ten years. We recommend apparently healthy individuals to screen for risk factors on regular basis and to perform physical exercise regularly, controlling blood pressure and blood glucose despite being healthy. Moreover, we recommend policy developers integrate screening services as part of the health care system to promote wellness and focus on prevention.
............................................Thesis available at ACIPH Library