FREQUENCY OF CARDIOVASCULAR DISEASE RISK FACTORS AMONG LOW INCOME GROUP

Abstract

Objectives: To find out frequency of risk factors for cardiovascular disease in low income group. Methodology: This was a cross-sectional study of subjects from low income group recruited in Peshawar Heart Study (PHS) consisting of sweepers, orderlies, door attendants and cooks. Results:A total of 195 subjects were interviewed.Mean age was 39.23±10.49 years. Mean BMI was 24.92±5.0.Mean systolic and diastolic BP was in prehypertension range (JNC7), about 43% had systolic (130mmHg) and 37% had diastolic hypertension (90mmHg). Only a small number (5.64%) of subjects in this group had random blood sugar of more than 180mg/dl. Although the majority (n=117,60%), of the subjects were not performing any regular exercise most of them (89.2%) were working for a mean 12 hours. Daily traveling time for job was more than 40 minutes in at least 40% of cases. Current cigarette smokers were 49 (25%), while 59 (30%) were using Naswar and 3.1% were using Huqqqa for tobacco smoking. A small number (3.6%) were drinking alcohol. Mean Euro SCORE was 0.71 + 1.26. Conclusion: The physical inactivity, obesity, unhealthy eating, hypertension, smoking were more frequent but modifiable risk factors for CVD like hypercholesterolemia and diabetes were less frequent amongst low income group. The indicatiors of social stress were also more common like low educational status, more children, long working hours, long traveling time to and form job and limited finacial resources.