title: Knowledge of heart disease risk factors among workers in a Nigerian University: A call for concern.
abstract: BACKGROUND
  Cardiovascular disease is the commonest cause of mortality worldwide. Many risk factors predate the development of cardiovascular diseases. Adequate knowledge of risk factors for cardiovascular diseases is the first step towards effective preventive strategies to combat the cardiovascular diseases burden in any population. This study aims to determine the knowledge of workers in a Nigerian University on risk factors for cardiovascular diseases.
  
  
  METHODS
  A cross-sectional survey of 206 academic and non-academic staff of Ladoke Akintola University of Technology, Ogbomoso, Nigeria using the Heart Disease Fact Questionnaire (HDFQ). Demographic data were taken. The lipid profile and random blood sugar were taken. Statistical analysis was done using SPSS 17.0.
  
  
  RESULTS
  The mean age of the study participants was 45.3 ± 7.9 years. There were 96 males (46.6%). The mean HDFQ score was 48.6%. Only 41 (19.9%) of participants were assessed to have good knowledge of heart disease risk factors. Majority, 101 (49.0%) had poor knowledge while 64 (31.2%) had fair knowledge of heart disease risk factors. There was no significant difference between prevalence of CV risk factors between those with good or fair or low level of knowledge. Most participants did not have a good level of knowledge about risk factors, prevention, treatment and association with diabetes as it relates to heart diseases.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  Knowledge of heart disease risk factors is low among University workers in Nigeria. Effective education on heart disease risk factors and appropriate preventive strategies are indeed important to reduce cardiovascular disease burden in Nigerian University communities.
authors.affiliation: Department of Medicine, Ladoke Akintola University of Technology, Ogbomoso, Nigeria ; Department of Medicine, Ladoke Akintola University of Technology, Ogbomoso, Nigeria.
authors.forename: Adeseye Abiodun
authors.initials: AA
authors.lastname: Akintunde
authors.affiliation: Department of Economics, Osun State University, Okuku, Osun State, Nigeria.
authors.forename: Temitope 'Sade
authors.initials: T'
authors.lastname: Akintunde
authors.affiliation: Department of Medicine, Ladoke Akintola University of Technology, Ogbomoso, Nigeria ; Department of Medicine, Ladoke Akintola University of Technology, Ogbomoso, Nigeria.
authors.forename: Oladimeji George
authors.initials: OG
authors.lastname: Opadijo
keywords: Heart disease; Nigerian University; knowledge; risk factors
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