Sociodemographic predictors of modifiable cardiovascular risk factors among medical students in the University of Calabar, Cross River State, Nigeria

Q: What are the key findings of this study?

Modifiable cardiovascular risk factors were present in 58.8% of medical students, with 5th-year study (OR 6.00, p<0.001) and age ≥41 years (OR 13.3, p=0.004) increasing risk.

Q: What is the clinical evidence from this study?

Study design: Cross-Sectional. Population: Modifiable cardiovascular risk factors among clinical medical students (n=311). Intervention: 5th year of clinical medical study (and sociodemographic factors including older age and ethnicity) vs. 4th year of clinical medical study (and reference sociodemographic categories). Primary outcome: Presence of at least one modifiable cardiovascular risk factor (overall prevalence 58.8%) (OR 6.00, 95% CI 2.914-12.370, p=<0.001).

Q: What does this research mean for the field?

Modifiable cardiovascular risk factors are present in 58.8% of clinical medical students, with older age and fifth year of study being significant independent predictors. Novelty: ClaimNovelty.CONFIRMATORY. Consensus alignment: ConsensusAlignment.NEUTRAL.

Q: What question did this study set out to answer?

To evaluate the prevalence and sociodemographic predictors of modifiable cardiovascular risk factors among clinical medical students at the University of Calabar.

Iwasam Agbor; Ugochi Eyong; Effa-Obazi Ogbodum; Anastasia Isika; Toochi Nwoye

doi:10.38029/babcockuniv.med.j..v9is1.1312

October 31, 2026Babcock University Medical JournalOpen Access

Sociodemographic predictors of modifiable cardiovascular risk factors among medical students in the University of Calabar, Cross River State, Nigeria

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Key result

Fifth-year medical study is linked to ~6-fold higher odds of cardiovascular risk factors.

OR 6.00
95% CI 2.914-12.370
P<0.001
n=311

Why the study?

The prevalence and sociodemographic predictors of modifiable cardiovascular risk factors among clinical medical students at the University of Calabar needed to be determined.

Key Points

To evaluate the prevalence and sociodemographic predictors of modifiable cardiovascular risk factors among clinical medical students at the University of Calabar.
Conducted a descriptive cross-sectional study of 311 clinical medical students (years 4–6; N=94, 138, and 79, respectively) selected through stratified random sampling with proportionate allocation.
Gathered data using an interviewer-administered questionnaire adapted from the WHO STEP-wise approach.
Analyzed associations with Chi-square tests and identified independent predictors using multivariate binary logistic regression (SPSS version 25, 95% CI, p<0.05).
The overall prevalence of modifiable cardiovascular risk factors was 58.8% (n=183), driven mainly by overweight/obesity (49.8%, n=155) and unhealthy diets (42.1%), followed by physical inactivity (13.2%), alcohol use (7.1%), smoking (4.2%), and high blood pressure (3.9%, n=12).
Multivariate logistic regression identified higher odds of modifiable cardiovascular risk among students aged 31–40 years (aOR = 8.94, 95% CI: 1.87–42.709, p=0.006), aged ≥41 years (aOR = 13.3, 95% CI: 2.268–77.985, p=0.004), and in their fifth year of study (aOR = 6, 95% CI: 2.914–12.370, p=0.000).
Significantly lower odds of cardiovascular risk were observed among Annang (aOR = 0.01, 95% CI: 0.002–0.044, p=0.000), Yoruba (aOR = 0.04, 95% CI: 0.008–0.192, p=0.000), and other ethnic groups (aOR = 0.07, 95% CI: 0.021–0.214, p=0.000) relative to Efik students.

Study Design

Type

Cross-Sectional (n=311)

Multicenter

No

Structured PICO

P

Population

311 clinical medical students (mean age 24.6 years, 52.4% female) in their 4th to 6th year at the University of Calabar, Nigeria, excluding pregnant students and those under medical management for known cardiovascular conditions, evaluated in a cross-sectional study over 5 months.

O

Outcome

Prevalence and sociodemographic predictors of at least one modifiable cardiovascular risk factor (overweight/obesity, unhealthy diet, physical inactivity, alcohol consumption, cigarette smoking, and high blood pressure) assessed via a semi-structured interviewer-administered questionnaire adapted from the WHO STEPS instrument and physical measurements.surrogate

Main Result

Odds Ratio: 6 (95% CI 2.914–12.37)

Absolute Event Rate: 66.7% vs 39.4%

p-value: p=<0.001

Nearly 60% of Nigerian clinical medical students in this cohort had at least one modifiable cardiovascular risk factor—predominantly overweight/obesity and unhealthy diet—with older age, 5th year of study, and specific ethnic backgrounds independently predicting risk.

Limitations

Cross-sectional design provides only a snapshot and cannot establish causality
Self-reported behaviours may be affected by recall and social desirability bias
Single-institution setting limits generalizability

Ask about this paper

Answers are grounded in this paper and cite their sources.

Implication

Supports targeted wellness programs for Nigerian medical students; hypothesis-generating for interventions pending longitudinal validation.

Abstract

Objectives: The study aimed to determine the prevalence and sociodemographic predictors of modifiable cardiovascular risk factors among clinical medical students at the University of Calabar. Methods: A descriptive cross-sectional study was conducted among 4th to 6th year medical students selected by the stratified random sampling method. The study population was stratified by academic level (years 4–6), with proportionate allocation used to recruit 94, 138, and 79 students from each level, respectively. Data were collected using a semi-structured, interviewer-administered questionnaire adapted from the WHO STEP-wise approach and analysed with SPSS version 25 at a 5% significance level and 95% confidence interval. Associations were assessed using Chi-square tests. Multivariate logistic regression was used to identify independent predictors of modifiable cardiovascular risk factors. Results: There were 311 participants comprising 163(52.4%) females and 148(47.6%) males. The overall mean age was 24.6±5.8 years. The prevalence of modifiable cardiovascular risk factors was 58.8%. Statistically significant associations were observed between the presence of cardiovascular risk factors and age (p=0.039), academic level (p<0.001), tribe (p<0.001), and religion (p=0.048). Multivariate logistic regression analysis identified older age, 5th year of study and ethnicity as predictors of cardiovascular risk. Conclusion: Integrating cardiovascular health promotion into the medical curriculum, alongside regular health screening and targeted behavioural interventions, is recommended to reduce modifiable cardiovascular risk factors among students.

Discussion

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Cite This Study

Agbor et al. (2026) conducted a cross-sectional in Modifiable cardiovascular risk factors among clinical medical students (n=311). 5th year of clinical medical study (and sociodemographic factors including older age and ethnicity) vs. 4th year of clinical medical study (and reference sociodemographic categories) was evaluated on Presence of at least one modifiable cardiovascular risk factor (overall prevalence 58.8%) (OR 6.00, 95% CI 2.914-12.370, p=<0.001). Modifiable cardiovascular risk factors were present in 58.8% of medical students, with 5th-year study (OR 6.00, p<0.001) and age ≥41 years (OR 13.3, p=0.004) increasing risk.

synapsesocial.com/papers/6ae92596a8a6b2adf62f6013 https://doi.org/10.38029/babcockuniv.med.j..v9is1.1312

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Sociodemographic predictors of modifiable cardiovascular risk factors among medical students in the University of Calabar, Cross River State, Nigeria

Key Points

Study Design

Structured PICO

Main Result

Limitations

Ask about this paper

Implication

Abstract

Discussion

Cite This Study

Sociodemographic predictors of modifiable cardiovascular risk factors among medical students in the University of Calabar, Cross River State, Nigeria

Key Points

Study Design

Structured PICO

Main Result

Limitations

Ask about this paper

Implication

Abstract

Discussion

Cite This Study

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