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Requirements of a coronary heart disease risk factor intervention programme for the coloured population of the Cape
1Centre for Epidemiological Research in Southern Africa, South African Medical Research Council, Parowvallei, CP.
Insights
Coronary heart disease (CHD) risk factors like hypertension and smoking are prevalent in the Cape Peninsula's coloured population. Urgent, targeted interventions are needed for diagnosis, management, and compliance to improve public health outcomes.
Area of Science:
- Public Health
- Cardiovascular Disease Epidemiology
- Health Intervention Strategies
Background:
- The coloured population of the Cape Peninsula exhibits a high prevalence of coronary heart disease (CHD) risk factors.
- Key risk factors identified include hypertension, cigarette smoking, and hypercholesterolaemia, necessitating urgent intervention programs.
Purpose of the Study:
- To identify critical areas for intervention in CHD prevention within the Cape Peninsula's coloured population.
- To address challenges in hypertension control, smoking cessation, and dietary habits related to CHD risk.
Main Methods:
- The study assessed the prevalence of CHD risk factors and identified specific problem areas in diagnosis, management, and compliance.
- Data analysis focused on hypertension, smoking patterns (including age of onset), and dietary knowledge and practices related to hypercholesterolaemia.
Main Results:
- Hypertension is underdiagnosed in men (25-44 years) and inadequately managed in women (over 45 years).
- Poor compliance with hypertension treatment is noted across all men and lower socio-economic groups.
- Heavy smoking prevalence, particularly among women, and decreasing age of smoking onset in children are significant concerns. Over 70% have elevated serum cholesterol levels, with poor diet adherence and knowledge.
Conclusions:
- Workplace detection programs and accessible monitoring stations are recommended for hypertension.
- Comprehensive anti-smoking campaigns, including primary school education, are crucial.
- Health education promoting prudent dietary practices is essential to mitigate CHD risk.
Abstract:
The coloured population of the Cape Peninsula has been identified as having a high prevalence of risk factors for coronary heart disease (CHD), notably hypertension, cigarette smoking and hypercholesterolaemia. The need for an appropriate and effective CHD intervention programme, directed at the population as a whole, has become urgent. Three central problem areas relating to hypertension control--diagnosis, management and compliance--will have to be addressed. Hypertension was underdiagnosed among men, particularly those aged 25-44 years. Apart from educating this group regarding the need to have their blood pressure measured, detection programmes are therefore needed at the workplace to improve hypertension diagnosis. Inadequate management of hypertension was commonest in women aged over 45 years. Compliance with hypertension treatment regimens was poor in all men as well as in both sexes belonging to the lower socio-economic strata. Establishing easily accessible blood pressure stations for monitoring blood pressure and educating hypertensives regarding their condition could lead to improved management and compliance. Coloureds were found to smoke heavily, and the women had the highest smoking prevalence of all South African women. Furthermore, the age of onset of smoking is decreasing among coloured children. A general anti-smoking campaign directed at all South Africans is necessary to control smoking. Anti-smoking education programmes at primary school level are of particular importance to prevent the onset of the habit. More than 70% of coloureds had a serum cholesterol level imparting CHD risk, few followed a prudent diet and their knowledge of the prudent diet was poor. Health education programmes to promote the prudent diet are required.(ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 250 WORDS)