Author:
Agyekum Francis,Folson Aba Ankomaba,Abaidoo Benjamin,Appiah Lambert Tetteh,Adu-Boakye Yaw,Ayetey Harold,Owusu Isaac Kofi
Abstract
Abstract
Background
Lifestyle behavioural risk factors have been linked to increased cardiovascular disease. Recent data have shown increased atherosclerotic cardiovascular disease (ASCVD) burden in Ghana. This study aimed to describe the behavioural and nutritional risk factors for ASCVD among Ghanaians, and how these risk factors vary by ethnicity, demography and residence.
Methods
We used data from the Ghana Heart Study, a community-based cross-sectional study that recruited participants from eight communities from four regions using a multi-stage sampling technique. Information about various lifestyle behaviours (LBs), including cigarette smoking, alcohol intake, physical inactivity, and fruit and vegetable intake, was obtained using a questionnaire. Data was analysed using IBM SPSS statistics 25. Univariate and multivariate analysis was used to test associations between demographic characteristics and various LBs.
Results
The participants' median (interquartile) age was 46.0 (27.0) years. Of the 1,106 participants (58% females, 80.4% urban dwellers), 8.6% reported using tobacco, 48.9% alcohol, 83.7% physically inactive, 81.4% and 84.9% inadequate fruit and vegetable intake, respectively. Age, sex, ethnicity, and religion were associated with tobacco use, whereas age, sex, educational level, marital status, ethnicity, employment status, and region of residence were associated with physical inactivity. Similarly, ethnicity, employment status, and residence region were associated with inadequate fruit and vegetable intake. Rural dwellers were more likely to be physically inactive and consume inadequate fruits and vegetables. Almost 92% had a combination of two or more LBs. The main predictors of two or more LBs for ASCVD were educational level, marital status, ethnicity, and employment status.
Conclusion
Lifestyle risk factors for ASCVD were highly prevalent in Ghana, with significant age, sex, ethnic, and regional differences. These risky lifestyle behaviors tend to occur together and must be considered in tailoring public health education.
Trial registration
The study was registered at http://www.chictr.org.cn as ChiCTR1800017374.
Publisher
Springer Science and Business Media LLC
Subject
Public Health, Environmental and Occupational Health
Reference44 articles.
1. James SL, Abate D, Abate KH, et al. Global, regional, and national incidence, prevalence, and years lived with disability for 354 diseases and injuries for 195 countries and territories, 1990–2017: a systematic analysis for the Global Burden of Disease Study 2017. The Lancet. 2018;392(10159):1789–858.
2. WHO. Cardiovascular Diseases. 11 June 2021 2021. https://www.who.int/news-room/fact-sheets/detail/cardiovascular-diseases-(cvds). Accessed 29 Jan 2023.
3. Agyekum F, Akumiah F. Atherosclerotic Cardiovascular Disease Burden in Ghana: A Scoping Review. J Clin Prev Cardiol. 2023;12:99–109.
4. Sanuade O, Agyemang C. Stroke in Ghana: a systematic literature review. In de-Graft Aikens A, Agyei-Mensah S, Agyemang C, editors. Chronic Non-communicable Diseases in Ghana: Multidisciplinary Perspectives. Legon, Accra Ghana: Sub-Saharan Publishers. 2013. p. 29–40. (Social Sciences Studies Regional Institute for Population Studies; 1).
5. Sarfo FS, Mobula LM, Plange-Rhule J, Ansong D, Ofori-Adjei D. Incident stroke among Ghanaians with hypertension and diabetes: A multicenter, prospective cohort study. J Neurol Sci. 2018;395:17–24.