Awosan, K.J., Ibrahim, M.T.O., Sabir A.A., Ejimodu, P.
Coronary heart disease (CHD) was previously conside red to be rare in sub-Saharan Africa, but its prevalence is on the increase mainly because of the increasing prevalence of its risk factors, linked to trends in urbanization and changes in lifestyle. Thi s study sought to assess the awareness and prevalence of risk factors of coronary heart diseas e in Sokoto, Nigeria. A comparative cross sectional study was conducted among 110 bankers and 110 secondary school teachers selected by multistage sampling technique in August 2011. Anthropometric m easurements, blood pressure measurement, and estimation of fasting blood sugar and cholester ol were done for the participants, together with questionnaire administration. Up to 50% awareness w as reported in only 4 of 7 and 1 of 7 CHD risk factors among bankers and teachers respectively. Pr evalence of CHD risk factors was high in both groups as follows; hypertension (teachers 33.3%, ba nkers 22.9%), diabetes mellitus (teachers 9.5%, bankers 8.5%), obesity (teachers 30.5%, bankers 20% ), hypercholesterolemia (teachers 37.1%, bankers 41.9%), sedentary lifestyle (teachers 5.7%, bankers 33.3%) and smoking (teachers 4.8%, bankers 7.6%). This study demonstrated poor awareness and high pre valence of CHD risk factors among bankers and teachers in Sokoto. Public health education and pro motion of healthy lifestyles are suggested to reduce this burden.
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