Cardiovascular risk behaviour is an emerging health issue in developing countries: a cross-sectional study

Area of Science:

• Public Health
• Cardiology
• Lifestyle Medicine

Background:

• Low and middle-income countries face a high burden of cardiovascular disease (CVD).
• Limited resources and evidence exist for lifestyle behavior modification and policy guidance in these regions.
• Effective interventions are needed to address CVD risk factors in developing nations.

Purpose of the Study:

• To quantify the prevalence of various cardiovascular risk behaviors among patients diagnosed with CVD.
• To assess lifestyle risk factors in a developing country context.

Main Methods:

• A hospital-based cross-sectional survey was conducted in two referral hospitals in eastern Ethiopia.
• Outpatients with confirmed CVD were recruited for face-to-face interviews using validated tools.
• Data collection focused on dietary habits, physical activity, and substance use.

Main Results:

• 287 CVD patients were recruited; 56.4% were women, 90.2% urban residents.
• High prevalence of inadequate fruit/vegetable intake and physical inactivity (51.6%).
• Significant rates of khat chewing (20%) and alcohol consumption (19%); low smoking rates (1%).
• 70% of patients exhibited multiple (more than two) risk behaviors, with no significant variation by sex, residence, or education.

Conclusions:

• CVD patients maintain unhealthy lifestyles despite attending follow-up care for risk management.
• Findings underscore the need for health service reforms to promote healthy lifestyle behaviors.
• Policy makers require evidence to guide interventions for CVD risk reduction in patient populations.