Cardiovascular Diseases and the Common Risk Factors Presented by Patients at Kitwe Teaching Hospital
Mwanza Josphat,
Sichilima Matafwali Alfred
Issue:
Volume 4, Issue 1, March 2019
Pages:
1-6
Received:
23 October 2018
Accepted:
7 May 2019
Published:
5 June 2019
Abstract: Cardiovascular disease (CVD) refers to any disease that affects the cardiovascular system, such as cardiac disease, vascular diseases of the brain and kidney and peripheral arterial diseases. CVDs are among the leading causes of morbidity and mortality in Zambia. A case-control study was conducted among 74 patients suffering from cardiovascular disease (CVD) at Kitwe Teaching Hospital (KTH) and 74 controls (patients without CVD). All participants completed a questionnaire regarding socio-demographics, risk factors of CVD and Knowledge based questions of CVD. Chi-square test was used to determine significant associations and a result yielding a p value of less than 5% was considered statistically significant. Independent factors associated with development of CVD were established using a Binary Logistic Regression. Unadjusted odds ratio (OR) and Adjusted odds ratios (AOR) and their 95% confidence intervals (CI) are reported. The independent risk factors which were significantly associated with the development of CVD were hypertension (OR 59.143, 95% CI 20.122-173.833; AOR 97.289, 95% CI 24.479 -386.662), diabetes mellitus (OR 3.725, 95% CI 1.722 – 8.057; AOR 6.033, 95% CI 1.630 -22.332), family history (OR 2.504, 95% CI 1.242-5.050; AOR 0.862, 95% CI 0.244 -3.041), smoking (OR 1.587, 95% CI 0.731-3.448; AOR 0.746, 95% CI 0.164 -3.403), alcohol consumption (OR 1.387, 95% CI 0.725 -2.654; AOR 3.392, 95% CI 0.833 – 13.823), high blood cholesterol (OR 4.364, 95% CI 0.894 – 21.293; AOR 4.482, 95% CI 0.242- 82.888) and increased age (P value: 0.039). Three factor were significantly associated with reduced risk of developing CVD. These were physical activity (OR 0.575, 95% CI 0.287-1.150; AOR 1.849, 95% CI 0.507 – 6.751), balanced diet (OR 0.890, 95% CI 0.456 – 2.195; AOR 1.451, 95% CI 0.404 – 5.214) and regular weight check and control (OR 0.897, 95% CI 0.471 – 1.710; AOR 0.593, 95% CI 0.177 – 1.990). Interventions such as proper control of hypertension and diabetes pharmacologically or non – pharmacologically, as well as providing health education on life style risk factors that are associated with CVD may significantly reduce morbidity and mortality due to the disease.
Abstract: Cardiovascular disease (CVD) refers to any disease that affects the cardiovascular system, such as cardiac disease, vascular diseases of the brain and kidney and peripheral arterial diseases. CVDs are among the leading causes of morbidity and mortality in Zambia. A case-control study was conducted among 74 patients suffering from cardiovascular dis...
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Quality of Life (QoL) of People with Spinal Cord Injury (SCI) in Western Greece
Ioannis-Alexandros Tzanos,
Athanasios Kyriakides,
Evgenia Gkintoni,
Elias Panagiotopoulos
Issue:
Volume 4, Issue 1, March 2019
Pages:
7-12
Received:
24 June 2019
Accepted:
15 July 2019
Published:
31 July 2019
Abstract: Community living individuals with SCI face major health-related QoL challenges, especially in countries such as Greece, due to the lack of infrastructure and support networks. The aim of this study is to evaluate QoL of people with SCI who have already completed the rehabilitation program and live in the geographic area of Western Greece and to identify the clinical and demographic factors that affect QoL in this population. Thirty-six individuals with SCI living in Western Greece participated in this study. We used World Health Organization Quality of Life BREF (WHOQOL-BREF) questionnaire to estimate their QoL levels. Additional data were collected by clinical measurements and a demographic questionnaire. The mean age of the sample was 45.1±9.8 years, the mean time since injury was 13.1±11.7 years and 89% of the participants were male. The mean values of QoL parameters ranged from 56.6±16.6 up to 100 (physical health) to 67.7±18.1 up to 100 (environment). Lower education level (p = 0.035) and married life (p = 0.006) are associated with higher QoL levels regarding environment and social relationships respectively. Additionally, as time since injury passes, the aspect of Qol that is related with social relationships improves (p = 0.04). The study documents relatively high rates of QoL in the population of individuals with SCI in Western Greece. Married life, low educational level and long time post injury are determinants of high QoL levels in this population.
Abstract: Community living individuals with SCI face major health-related QoL challenges, especially in countries such as Greece, due to the lack of infrastructure and support networks. The aim of this study is to evaluate QoL of people with SCI who have already completed the rehabilitation program and live in the geographic area of Western Greece and to ide...
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