Investigating cardiovascular disease risks among Kamuzu University of Health Sciences (KUHeS) employees by Gomezgani Msiska Milca Mzunga

Msiska, Gomezgani; Mzunga, Milca

Investigating cardiovascular disease risks among Kamuzu University of Health Sciences (KUHeS) employees by Gomezgani Msiska Milca Mzunga

Date

2022-02-09

Authors

Msiska, Gomezgani

Mzunga, Milca

Publisher

Kamuzu University of Health Sciences

Abstract

1.1 Type of Research This will be a descriptive cross sectional study by design. 1.2 The Problem to be Studied Cardiovascular disease (CVD) is a group of disorders of the heart and blood vessels. These include coronary heart diseases, heart attack, stroke and arrhythmias. Some of the cardiovascular risk factors include dyslipidemia, hypertension, smoking, diabetes, obesity and physical inactivity. Cardiovascular diseases are an important cause of morbidity and mortality across the globe, Malawi inclusive and contributes significantly to morbidity and mortality. Improving cardiovascular health requires knowledge of modifiable cardiovascular risk factors by populations at risk, screening for the risk factors and management of the risk factors when present. Mitigation of risk factors for CVD is therefore important. In Malawi, hypertension is highly prevalent with nearly a third of 25 to 64 years old people having raised blood pressure or taking antihypertensive medications [1]. The prevalence of diabetes in Malawi is 5.6 % among adults aged between 25 and 64 years [1]. There is an increased prevalence in urban gradient implicating changes in lifestyles as a key contributor. Sedentary lifestyles and lack of physical activity are strongly associated with obesity and overweight which are the most important causes of cardiovascular diseases particularly hypertension and diabetes. People who are obese have a high risk of developing type 2 diabetes, a condition where blood glucose is persistently high. Increased blood glucose levels can cause harm to the blood vessels, making them targets for hardening, called atherosclerosis. In obese individuals, the heart has to work extra hard to pump blood throughout the body, as a result of fatty substances accumulated in the arteries. This condition is called hypertension, where blood pressure on the inner walls of the arteries is extremely high. Kamuzu University of Health Science campuses being formal working institutions in urban setting, we expect the employees to live sedentary lifestyles which is a contributing factor to CVDs prevalence. 1.3 Objectives  To investigate cardiovascular disease risks among KUHeS employees.  To evaluate the prevalence of obesity, diabetes and dyslipidemia among KUHeS employees.  To determine the cardiovascular disease riskusingAtheroscleroticCardiovascularDisease(ASCVD) Risk Estimator  To correlate CVD risks to age group. 1.4 Methodology Demographic data will be collected using a questionnaire which will include age, gender, pregnancy and medical history. Anthropometry assessments will be done. These will include height, weight, Body Mass Index (BMI) and body circumference (waist, hip and limbs) using tape measures. Blood sample in both plane tube and anticoagulant tube will be drawn from our study participants and processed at the KUHeS hematology and biochemistry laboratory respectively. The tests will include glycosylated hemoglobin (HbA1C) and lipid analysis. Blood sample collection is an invasive technique that involves several risks. The following are some of the risks and how they can be mitigated.  Hematoma formation o This is caused by blood leaking into the tissues after failure to penetrate the vein properly during insertion. o To avoid hematoma formation from venipuncture, puncture only the uppermost wall of the vein just under the skin, remove the tourniquet before removing the needle, use the majorsuperficial veins and when it occurs, release the tourniquet immediately, withdraw the needle and apply pressure.  Infection o This is caused by inadequate cleansing and poor venipuncture technique o It can be prevented by good aseptic techniques  Haemoconcentration o This is caused by prolonged tourniquet application. o It may cause a false increase in potassium ion, phosphorus, ammonia and total protein.  Excessive bleeding o This caused by a reduced number of platelets due to either anticoagulants or infection. o The patient should not be left alone until bleeding has stopped. 1.5 Expected Findings and their Dissemination We expect a high number of KUHeS employees to be at a higher risk of developing CVDs Cardiovascular disease prevention is a major health concern across the country. The knowledge of CVD risk factors would help in the implementation of innovative interventions and lifestyle counselling to effectively guide people in developing lifestyle modification and achieve a sustainable behavior change. The study findings will be disseminated to College of Medicine Research and Ethics Committee (COMREC), and will be presented to KUHeS students and stuff.