Socio-Demographic Correlates of Cardiovascular Diseases and Preventive Strategies among Retirees in Enugu State, Nigeria

Abstract

Cardiovascular diseases (CVDs) constitute major public health problem and impose a huge burden in terms of mortality, morbidity and disability worldwide. CVDs are among top killer diseases in the world affecting diverse populations in both developed and developing countries. The purpose of the study was to investigate the socio-demographic correlates of cardiovascular diseases (CVDs) and preventive strategies among retirees in Enugu State. Eight specific objectives, with corresponding research questions and five null hypotheses guided the study. Correlational research design was used for the study. The population for the study comprised 8,947 retirees in Enugu State. The sample size was 1002 respondents, comprising 972 retirees, and 30 health experts from the Department of Human Kinetics and Health Education; District Hospital, Nsukka; and Enugu State University Teaching Hospital, Enugu. The sample was selected through multi-stage sampling procedure. Three instruments were used for data collection and they are: Socio-demographic Correlates of Cardiovascular Diseases Questionnaire (SCCVDQ), Cardiovascular Diseases Focus Group Discussion Guide (CVDFGDG) and Cardiovascular Disease Preventive Strategies Questionnaire (CVDPSQ) which were validated by experts from Departments of Human kinetics and Health Education; and Science Education of University of Nigeria, Nsukka. Research questions 1, 2 and 8 were analysed using frequencies and percentages. Research question 3-7 were analysed using Phi-coefficient. Logistic regression analysis was used to test hypotheses 1-5 at 0.05 level of significance. The major findings of the study were as follows: moderate proportion (42.6%) of retirees suffered from CVDs, moderate proportion (39.4%) of retirees were exposed to CVD risk factors. Socio-demographic variable of the age ((φ =.16) and the gender (φ = .28) had positive relationship with CVDs, the level of education (φ = -.28) and the level of income (φ = - .01) had negative relationship with CVDs, while the place of residence (φ= .29) had positive relationship with CVDs. Also, findings indicated that age (p < .05) and gender (p < .05) were significantly associated with CVDs, level of education (p > .05) and level of income (p > .05) were not significantly associated with CVDs while place of residence (p < .05) was significantly associated with CVDs The data generated from the focus groups were summarized and the information obtained were used to complement the quantitative data. Based on the major findings, preventive strategies were formulated and validated. Most of the items of CVDs preventive strategies such as regular checking of blood pressure and blood sugar, daily intake of fruit and vegetables were considered appropriate by the experts for inclusion in the cardiovascular disease preventive strategies. Based on these findings, the researcher recommended among others that retirees should adopt the preventive strategies developed to curtail exposure to CVD risk factors and subsequent development of CVDs; regular health screening of the retirees during their verification exercises or monthly meetings by the health workers to identify those at risk of CVDs and suggest adequate intervention.