Key result
Among university students in Nigeria, 61.9% had low to average knowledge and 78.1% had a wrong perception of cardiovascular disease risk factors, though medically inclined students scored significantly higher.
Why the study?
Cardiovascular disease is an increasing concern among the working-age population in developing countries like Nigeria, requiring urgent attention to prevention.
Cross-Sectional (n=402)
No
p-value: p=<0.001
Adolescents and young adults in a Nigerian university setting demonstrate poor knowledge and incorrect perceptions regarding cardiovascular disease and its risk factors, highlighting a need for targeted educational interventions.
CVD knowledge gaps in Nigerian students suggest targeted education; leaves open effects on prevention behaviors.
BACKGROUND: Cardiovascular disease (CVD) is a global problem but its increasing prevalence in the working age group in developing countries like Nigeria is concerning and needs urgent attention. METHODS: The study was a mixed method design: quantitative phase with 402 participants and qualitative phase with 16 participants in two focus groups. The participants in the quantitative survey phase completed two questionnaires on the knowledge and perception of CVD and its risk factors. Data from the quantitative cross-sectional survey were analysed using descriptive and inferential statistics. The qualitative data were analysed using content thematic analysis. RESULTS: We report that 39.1% of the participants had high knowledge whilst 61.9% had low and average knowledge of CVD and its risk factors. Of the participants, 78.1% had a wrong perception of CVD and its risk factors. Participants from faculties of veterinary medicine and basic medical sciences had better knowledge than others who were not medically inclined (F = 16.11; p 0.001). Only participants from the faculty of veterinary medicine had the right perception of CVD and its risk factors. There was no significant difference in knowledge and perception scores between male and female participants. The qualitative study buttressed the results from the cross-sectional survey, where adolescents and young adults highlighted academic stress and poverty as major risk factors for CVD. CONCLUSION: Adolescents and young adults in this study did not have good knowledge of CVD and its risk factors. They also had a wrong perception about CVD and its risk factors.
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Odunaiya et al. (2021) conducted a cross-sectional in Cardiovascular disease knowledge and perception (n=402). Faculty of study (Medical vs Non-medical) vs. Non-medically inclined faculties was evaluated on Knowledge and perception of cardiovascular disease and its risk factors (p=<0.001). Among university students in Nigeria, 61.9% had low to average knowledge and 78.1% had a wrong perception of cardiovascular disease risk factors, though medically inclined students scored significantly higher.
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