Predictors of cardiovascular disease among judiciary staff in South-South Nigeria: Implications for prevention efforts

Abstract

Background: The risk of cardiovascular disease (CVD) is influenced by non-modifiable factors such as age and sex, and by modifiable factors linked to lifestyle and behaviour. This study was done to determine the predictors of CVD risk among judiciary staff in Port Harcourt Nigeria Methods: A descriptive cross-sectional design was employed for the administration of an adapted WHO STEPS instrument. Respondents who had any of the risk factors were given a score of one. Respondents who had overall risk score of 0–2 were classified as having low risk, those with overall risk score of 3–5 were classified as having moderate risk, while those who had overall risk score of 6 and above were classified as having high risk of CVD. Multinomial regression analysis was done to identify predictors of moderate and high CVD risk compared to low risk. Results: A total of 226 judiciary workers participated in the survey, 130 (57.5%) males and 96 (42.5%) females. Mean age was 43.15 years (S.D = 8.45). One hundred and fourty-four (63.7%) had hypertension, 148 (65.5%) were overweight/obese, and 122 (54.0%) were diabetic or at risk of diabetes. Alcohol use, risk of hypertension, diabetes, salt consumption, poor intake of fruits and physical inactivity, strongly predicted both moderate and high risk of CVD (p < 0.001). Being overweight or obese, predicted moderate risk only (p < 0.001) while age predicted high risk only (p = 0.01). Conclusion: The demonstrated predictors of moderate and high risk of CVD among judiciary staff in Port Harcourt infers a need for implementation of the WHO ‘best buys’ strategies mainstreamed into workplace-friendly health promotion policies and interventions that facilitate lifestyle modifications among these professionals. Keywords: Cardiovascular disease, Risk factors, Judiciary, Modifiable, Non-modifiable