What question did this study set out to answer?

The research aims to explore the relationship between cardiovascular disease knowledge and risk perception among university students.

January 10, 2026BMC Public Health0 citationsOpen Access

Cardiovascular disease knowledge, risk perception, and lifestyle behaviors among university students in North-Central Nigeria: a cross-sectional study

OCOlutoyin CokerNasarawa State University AAAdamu Ishaku Akyala RCRichard CokerUniversity of London

Key Result

Greater cardiovascular disease knowledge in Nigerian university students is inversely correlated with lower personal risk perception (r=-0.187, p < 0.001).

Key Points

The research aims to explore the relationship between cardiovascular disease knowledge and risk perception among university students.
Cross-sectional design conducted among university students in North-Central Nigeria.
Assessment of knowledge about cardiovascular disease, personal risk perception, and lifestyle behaviors.
Statistical analysis to determine correlations between knowledge and risk perception.
A significant inverse correlation between knowledge of cardiovascular disease and personal risk perception was found (r=-0.187, p < 0.001).
Indicated the presence of an optimistic bias where students perceive lower personal risk despite higher knowledge.
Highlighted that conventional health education strategies may not be effective in this population.

Structured PICO

Population

1,300 undergraduate university students from two universities in North-Central Nigeria, mean age 20.95 years, 53.0% female.

Outcome

Cardiovascular disease knowledge, perceived risk of developing CVD, and behavioral intentions regarding exercise and healthy eating measured via the ABCD Risk Questionnaire.patient reported

Among Nigerian university students, greater cardiovascular disease knowledge paradoxically correlates with lower personal risk perception, highlighting the need for personalized risk assessment in health education.

Main Result

Absolute Event Rate: 0% vs 0%

Abstract

We identify a "knowledge-risk paradox" among Nigerian university students: greater knowledge is inversely correlated with lower personal risk perception (r=-0.187, p < 0.001), an association suggesting potent optimistic bias. This disconnect indicates that conventional knowledge-based health education is likely insufficient. Public health interventions must pivot towards strategies that include personalized risk assessment to combat complacency and effectively channel the high pre-existing readiness for healthy lifestyle changes in this population.

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