Publication:

Prevalence of cardiovascular risk factors among municipality workers in Chitradurga, South India

Background Cardiovascular disease (CVD) is the single largest cause for mortality and morbidity in the world. In India, non-communicable diseases (NCDs) were responsible for 53% of deaths and 44% of disability adjusted life years lost. Appropriate assessment and management of cardiovascular risk is vital to prevent fatal and non-fatal heart attacks and strokes and to improve health outcomes in individuals at high risk of cardiovascular events. Diabetes mellitus (DM) and HT are common diseases in adulthood, pre-disposing to many cardiovascular complications, posing a major public health challenge.This study aims to assess the prevalence of cardiovascular risk factors such as diabetes, HT, smoking, alcohol intake, dyslipidaemia and obesity among Municipality workers.

Methods A cross-sectional study was carried out between Jan 2019-June 2019 among 100 Municipality workers in Chitradurga, South India. Socio-demographic details and some of the risk factors such as alcohol intake and smoking history were obtained using a pre-tested, structured questionnaire. Blood pressure & waist circumference were measured by standard methods. Fasting blood sugar & lipid profile were measured.

Results Mean age of study participants was 38.03 years (SD ± 10.9). Out of the study subjects, 21% were known diabetic and 22% were known hypertensive. 34% of the participants had cholesterol level higher than the desirable level of 200 mg/dL. Around 72% had a history of alcohol consumption and 13% had a history of tobacco smoking during the last 1 month. The prevalence of overweight based on BMI (BMI >23) is higher among Municipality workers (56%) compared to the general population (35.4%).

Conclusions Burden of cardiovascular risk factors such as diabetes and HT were high among Municipality Workers of Chitradurga.