Application of health belief model (HBM) in assessing the impact of saturated fat consumption on cardiovascular diseases risk among 330 female civil servants in Umuahia North Local Government Area, Abia State.

This study was aimed at using the Health Belief Model (HBM) to assess the impact of saturated fat consumption on cardiovascular diseases risk among 330 female civil servants in Umuahia North Local Government Area, Abia State. A descriptive cross sectional multistage sampling technique was used to get the sample size. An interviewer-administered structured questionnaire was used to collect data on personal and socioeconomic characteristics, the consumption pattern of foods high in saturated fat of the respondents and the health belief of female civil servants towards cardiovascular diseases risk. The relationship between socioeconomic and demographic, consumption pattern and cardiovascular diseases risk using health belief model was also determined. Analysis was done using IBM SPSS version 23.0. Descriptive statistics (frequencies, percentages, mean and standard deviation) was used to analyze data on the socio-demographic and economic characteristics, consumption pattern of foods and health belief of female civil servants towards cardiovascular diseases risk. Pearson’s correlation was used to determine the relationship between the socioeconomic and demographic, consumption pattern and cardiovascular diseases risk using health belief model and P-value (<0.05) was accepted as statistically significant. The HBM was measured on a 3.00 point reference scale. Result findings indicated respondents showed high perceived severity (2.20 ± 1.43) and high perceived benefits (2.41 ± 1.44), indicating good understanding of the consequences and advantages of positive dietary changes. Self-efficacy was strong (2.40 ± 1.29), suggesting that most women believe they can implement healthier choices. Perceived barriers (1.81+ 1.25) remain significant, highlighting cost, availability, and time as major obstacles. Perceived susceptibility is moderate (2.11 ± 1.44), showing that while most understand CVD risk, a portion does not internalize it personally. Cues to action are moderately influential (1.84 ± 1.31), implying room for stronger public health messaging. However, high consumption of foods rich in saturated fats, regular intake of processed foods, inconsistent physical activity patterns, and uncertainty about family medical history highlight areas requiring targeted health education and interventions. Across all variables, perceived severity, perceived benefits, and self-efficacy showed the strongest associations with education, income, and knowledge. This indicates that socioeconomic status and nutrition knowledge play pivotal roles in shaping women’s beliefs and readiness to adopt cardiovascular-protective dietary practices. Conversely, perceived barriers and cues to action appear less influenced by socioeconomic indicators, suggesting the presence of external environmental, cultural, or systemic challenges that require targeted interventions.