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Cardiovascular Risk Profile of Post-Menopausal Women in a Semi-Urban Community in Nigeria
Last modified: 2014-01-17
Abstract
Purpose: This study assessed the cardiovascular risk profile of post-menopausal women from a semi-urban community in Nigeria.Relevance: Menopause is associated with a myriad of chronic health risks.Participants: One hundred and twenty menopausal women participated in this study.Method: This is a cross-sectional study. The respondents were recruited from Ife Central Local Government Area, Ile - Ife, Nigeria using a multistage sampling technique. The Framingham Heart Study Questionnaire was used to assess cardiovascular risk. Risk scores were classified as low (0-19), medium (20-29) and high risk profiles (40+). Socio-Economic Status was assessed using a questionnaire while cardiovascular and anthropometric parameters were measured following standard procedures.Analysis: Data were analyzed using descriptive and inferential statistics. Alpha level was set at 0.05.Results: The mean age, weight and Body Mass Index (BMI) of respondents were 64.9±8.4 years, 73.4±15.2kg and 27.3±5.4kg/m² respectively. Half of the respondents (53.3%) were in the low socio-economic class. A majority (64.2%) of respondents had over five years duration of onset of menopause, 32.5% of the respondents had high blood pressure while 10.8% had high cardiovascular risk. High CVD risk was higher among individuals with over five years of menopause (92.3%). Logistic regression model revealed that age, BMI, occupation, onset time of menopause and blood pressure status were significant predictors of cardiovascular risk among post-menopausal women (p<0.05)Conclusion: Prevalence of CVD risk was high among Nigerian post-menopausal women in a semi-urban community. Age, body mass index, duration of menopause and blood pressure level were significant predictors of high cardiovascular risk.Implication: This study may inform policy formulation in reducing the prevalence of cardiovacular disease among postmenopausal women.
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