Cardiovascular diseases among adults in Afghanistan: Prevalence and associated factors from a national household survey in 2018

INTRODUCTIONThis study aimed to estimate the prevalence and associated factors of cardiovascular diseases (CVDs) among the national adult population in Afghanistan.METHODS Data were analyzed from 3956 adults (aged 18-69 years) that participated in a nationally representative household survey in Afghanistan in 2018.CVDs were defined as self-reported heart attack or chest pain from heart disease (angina) or a stroke (cerebrovascular accident or incident).RESULTS Overall, 8.8% of participants reported CVDs, 11.4% among men and 6.0% among women.In adjusted logistic regression analysis, age 45-69 years (AOR=2.06;95% CI: 1.06-4.01),current tobacco use (AOR=1.40;95% CI: 1.06-4.01),and raised total cholesterol (AOR=2.37;95% CI: 1.19-4.73)were associated with CVD.In addition, in gender stratified analysis, among men, higher number of adult household members (lower economic status) (AOR=3.52;95% CI: 1.92-6.43)and inadequate fruit and vegetable intake (<3 servings/day) were associated with CVD, while among women, urban residence (AOR=0.32;95% CI: 0.15-0.68)and more frequent (≥3 servings/day) fruit and vegetable consumption (AOR=0.18;95% CI: 0.03-0.99)were negatively associated with CVD.CONCLUSIONS Almost one in ten adults in Afghanistan had a CVD, and several factors associated CVD were discovered, including older age (45-65 years), current tobacco use, raised total cholesterol, and inadequate fruit and vegetable consumption.