A bstract Background: Globally, cardiovascular diseases (CVDs) are attributable to identifiable risk factors. However, millions of people remain undiagnosed and unmanaged, with varying levels of public knowledge of control measures. Objective: To explore the prevalence of selected CVD risk factors and the knowledge of control measures among adult traders. Materials and Methods: A cross-sectional reserach design was adopted, and a multi-stage sampling technique was used to recruit 120 adult traders from selected markets. Cardiovascular and anthropometric data were obtained. A self-structured, validated questionnaire was used to collect data on knowledge. Descriptive statistics were used to summarize data, and chi-square and Spearman’s rank correlation test were used where appropriate. Results: A high prevalence of diabetes mellitus, hypertension, and obesity, with values of 33.3%, 33.3%, and 4.2%, respectively, was observed. The prevalence of diabetes mellitus was significantly associated with age ( P = 0.003), marital status ( P = 0.000), systolic and diastolic blood pressure ( P = 0.000), and body mass index ( P = 0.000) of the respondents. The prevalence of hypertension was significantly associated with age ( P = 0.000), marital status ( P = 0.000), and fasting blood sugar level (FBSL) ( P = 0.022) of the respondents, while obesity was associated with FBSL ( P = 0.005). There was good knowledge of control measures for CVD-associated risk factors across all items. Conclusion: There is a high prevalence of CVD disease risk factors among adult traders in selected markets in Orlu LGA of Imo State, Nigeria, despite having adequate knowledge of their control measures.
Nwokike et al. (Fri,) studied this question.