INTRODUCTION

1.1 Background Of The Study

Cardiovascular diseases remain leading causes of morbidity and mortality worldwide.1 The 2010 World Health Report estimates that non-communicable diseases (NCDs) are responsible for more than 36 million deaths each year.1

Cardiovascular diseases (CVDs) account for most NCD deaths (about 17 million people annually), followed by cancers (7.6 million), respiratory diseases (4.2 million) and diabetes mellitus (1.3 million). The CVD burden afflicts both men and women, with CVD deaths accounting for 34% of all deaths in men and 28% in women in 1998.2 Nearly 80% of the deaths occur in low and middle income countries ( including Nigeria ),2 and more than 9 million deaths attributed to NCDs occur before the age of 60 years.3 It is projected that between 1990 and 2025, there will be 120% increase in coronary heart disease mortality in women and 137% in men in developing countries compared to 29% in women and 48% in men in developed countries.4

Control of infections and nutritional diseases allows most of the population to reach the ages in which CVD manifests. This is the major factor underlying the epidemiological transition from communicable to non-communicable diseases.4 Omran divided the transition into three basic stages: pestilence and famine, receding pandemics and degenerative and man-made diseases.5 Olshansky and Ault added a fourth stage, delayed degenerative diseases.6 A fifth stage, characterized by epidemic of inactivity and obesity, may be emerging in some countries. Although specific country or region enters these stages at different times, the progression from one to another tends to proceed in a predictable manner.6

The high burden of CVD in the developing countries are attributable to an increasing incidence of tobacco use, physical inactivity, harmful use of alcohol and unhealthy diets leading to atherosclerotic diseases.2 There is also a high burden of cardiovascular risk factors especially diabetes mellitus (DM), hypertension (HTN), dyslipidaemia and obesity,2 which are independently associated with CVD risk and are common among young adults and adults in both developed and developing countries.7,8 Nigeria has witnessed tremendous socio-economic changes and rural- urban migration which has led to the emergence of NCDs including ischaemic heart diseases (IHD).7 Development of CVDs is promoted by major risk factors such as HTN, dyslipidaemia, DM, smoking as well as adoption of western lifestyle.

The NCD survey done in Nigeria about 21 years ago found high prevalence of traditional CV risk factors.9 The identification of these major risk factors and the implementation of control strategies, such as community education targeting high risk individuals have contributed to the fall in CVD mortality rates observed in industrialised nations.8 on the bases of the above, this study seek to assess the prevalence of the risk factor of cardiovascular diseases among undergraduate students in university of Benin.

1.2 Statement Of The Problem

Cardiovascular disease (CVD) is a grouping of diseases that involves the heart and blood vessels of the body. This chronic disease involves an atherosclerotic process that begins early in life and continues to develop over many decades. Atherosclerosis is a medical condition that develops when a substance identified as plaque accumulates in and within the walls of the arteries. As plaque accumulates over time, it becomes hardened and narrows the arterial diameters making it difficult for blood to flow through the vasculature with ease, and creates a greater risk for a heart attack or stroke. The process of atherosclerosis has the potential to lead to serious medical complications including hypertension, heart attack, stroke, or even death9.For many young adults, entering tertiary institute is a critical time of transition. This period of transition can lead to adverse lifestyle patterns and risky behaviors that may progress into risk factors for chronic diseases such as hypertension, obesity, diabetes mellitus, and cardiovascular diseases4. Researchers are discovering that many CVD risk factors are prevalent among healthy young college students4. As the number of cardiovascular risk factors increases, so does the severity of asymptomatic coronary aortic atherosclerosis in young people8. Therefore, university students may be more at risk from developing subsequent CVD than previously expected. Based on the aforementioned, this study aims at assessing the prevalence of the risk factor of cardiovascular diseases among undergraduate students in university of Benin.