Cardiac risk indices of staff of Federal University of Technology Owerri, Imo State, Nigeria

Non-communicable diseases are the major health burden in the industrialized countries and are increasing rapidly in the developing countries owing to demographic transitions and changing lifestyles among the people. Cardiovascular diseases (CVD) are increasingly becoming a great cause of morbidity and mortality. A total of 100 senior and 141 junior staff in Federal University of Technology, Owerri (FUTO), Imo State, Nigeria was randomly selected for a study on cardiac risk factors. A questionnaire was used to record cardiac risk indices like age, heredity, body mass index (BMI), tobacco smoking, exercise, serum cholesterol estimation, systolic blood pressure and sex. There was no significant difference between the senior and junior staff in sex distribution (P=0.71), family history of CVD (P=0.34), smoking habit (P=0.85) and serum cholesterol (P=0.89). Senior staff had significantly higher values in age distribution (P<0.001), presence of systolic hypertension (P<0.001) and overweight (P<0.001). Senior staff workers, were however, significantly less involved in moderate exercise than junior staff (P<0.001). The senior staff had a significantly higher total score in CVD risk scoring than junior staff (χ2=7.25; P=0.01). In conclusion, the risk of CVD among staff of FUTO is high especially among the senior staff. Health education campaign targeted at improving life style is strongly recommended