Sociodemographic predictors of modifiable cardiovascular risk factors among medical students in the University of Calabar, Cross River State, Nigeria

Abstract

Objectives: The study aimed to determine the prevalence and sociodemographic predictors of modifiable cardiovascular risk factors among clinical medical students at the University of Calabar.

Methods: A descriptive cross-sectional study was conducted among 4th to 6th year medical students selected by the stratified random sampling method. The study population was stratified by academic level (years 4–6), with proportionate allocation used to recruit 94, 138, and 79 students from each level, respectively. Data were collected using a semi-structured, interviewer-administered questionnaire adapted from the WHO STEP-wise approach and analysed with SPSS version 25 at a 5% significance level and 95% confidence interval. Associations were assessed using Chi-square tests. Multivariate logistic regression was used to identify independent predictors of modifiable cardiovascular risk factors.

Results: There were 311 participants comprising 163(52.4%) females and 148(47.6%) males. The overall mean age was 24.6±5.8 years. The prevalence of modifiable cardiovascular risk factors was 58.8%. Statistically significant associations were observed between the presence of cardiovascular risk factors and age (p=0.039), academic level (p<0.001), tribe (p<0.001), and religion (p=0.048). Multivariate logistic regression analysis identified older age, 5th year of study and ethnicity as predictors of cardiovascular risk.

Conclusion: Integrating cardiovascular health promotion into the medical curriculum, alongside regular health screening and targeted behavioural interventions, is recommended to reduce modifiable cardiovascular risk factors among students.