ABSTRACT
The global burden of cardiovascular disease (CVD) is increasing and is among the leading cause of death, disability and loss of productivity. This may be caused by high blood pressure, smoking, diabetes, lack of exercise, obesity, high blood cholesterol, poor diet, and excessive alcohol consumption, among others. The objectives were to determine the prevalence of hypertension, overweight and obesity, tobacco use, alcohol use, physical activity, diabetes and to assess the knowledge of the inmates about the cardiovascular risk factors. This study on risk factors for cardiovascular disease was carried out among the inmates in Kuje Federal Prison, Federal Capital Territory, Abuja. A cross sectional descriptive study design was used with a calculated sample size of 180. Systemic sampling was used to select the respondents. Data was collected with semistructured interviewer administered questionnaire after obtaining consent and analyzed with Epi info version 7 and SPSS version 18. The study showed that prevalence of hypertension was 18.8% which had significant association with age, marital status, ethnicity, Religion, first degree relative with hypertension and BMI. Prevalence of overweight and obesity were 33.4% and 7.2% respectively. Age, ethnicity, marital status, educational status, prison status, knowledge category and physical activity are significantly associated with body mass index. The prevalence of other risk factors was diabetics 0.5%, tobacco use 41%, alcohol use 0.0% and physical activity 94.4% (sufficient 52.8%, insufficient 41.7%). The general knowledge of the respondents about the cardiovascular risk factor was low. The percentage with high knowledge category was 37%, fair knowledge 35% and low knowledge 28%. However the xiii most known risk factor was stress 86.1%, followed by smoking 77.8%, then high blood pressure 71.7%, inactivity 71.1% and then Diabetes 69.4%. Although the prevalence of hypertension, overweight and obesity and tobacco use were high, they were not higher than general population especially hypertension. In any case the prevalence of diabetes and alcohol use were very low. However since most of these risk factors are modifiable it is therefore recommended to reduce the tobacco use by teaching tobacco cessation to the inmates. Regular blood pressure and blood sugar check will also help to detect the development of hypertension and diabetes. The knowledge of the inmates can be improved by organizing regular health education on cardiovascular risk factors by the health workers in the prison clinic. KEY WORDS: Cardiovascular disease; cardiovascular risk factors; incarceration; prisoners.