Risk Factors Of Coronary Heart Disease Among Medical Students

Three have studies have been performed to assess the risk of cardiovascular disease among medical students. Two of these studies were performed in India, and one was performed in Saudi Arabia. In conclusion, 13.5% students in Saudi Arabia were at risk of coronary heart disease, 33-43% performed exercises regularly, 2.8% of student s were smokers in Saudi Arabia while 7-14% of students were smokers in India. Hypertension prevalence in Saudi students was 9.3% and in Indian students was 24.2 %. Below are their abstracts.

Risk factors of coronary heart disease among medical students in King Abdulaziz University, Jeddah, Saudi Arabia

Abstract
Background

Nowadays, Cardiovascular Diseases (CVDs) represents an escalating worldwide public health problem. Providing consistent data on the magnitude and risk factors of CVDs among young population will help in controlling the risks and avoiding their consequences.

Objective
The objective was to estimate the prevalence of risk factors of Coronary heart disease (CHD) among medical students during their clinical clerkship (4th - 6th years).

Methods
A cross-sectional study was done during the educational year 2012–2013 at King Abdulaziz University (KAU), Jeddah. Ethical standards were followed and a multistage stratified random sample method was used for selection of 214 medical students. Data was collected through an interviewing questionnaire, measurements and laboratory investigations. Both descriptive and analytical statistics were done by SPSS version 21. CHD risk percent in thirty years was calculated using Framingham algorithm for each student, then the risk among all students was determined.

Results
The commonest risk factors of CHDs were daily intake of high fat diet (73.4%), physical inactivity (57.9%), overweight/or obesity (31.2%) and daily consumption of fast food (13.1%). Hyper-cholesterolemia (17.2%) and hypertension (9.3%) were also prevalent risk factors. Smoking prevalence was low (2.8%). Males had significantly higher mean scores for most of CHD risk factors compared to females (p < 0.05). Systolic Blood pressure was higher among males (119.47 ± 11.17) compared to females (112.26 ± 9.06). A highly statistical significant difference was present (Students’t test = 4.74, p < 0.001). Framingham Risk Score revealed that CHD risk percent in thirty-years among all students was 10.7%, 2.3% and 0.5% for mild, moderate and severe risk, respectively.

Conclusion
An alarmingly high prevalence of CHD risk factors was prevailed among medical students, especially among males. However, a low prevalence of smoking may indicate the success of “Smoke-free Campus” program. Screening risk factors of CHD among medical students and implementation of intervention programs are recommended. Programs to raise awareness about CHD risk factors, encourage young adult students to adopt a healthy dietary behavior and promote physical exercise should be initiated.

Cardiovascular Risk Behavior among Students of a Medical College in Delhi (India)

Background:
Life style related behavioural risk factors are mainly implicated for increased burden of cardio- vascular diseases. Research related to these risk behaviours especially among medical students is essential, considering their role as future physicians and role models in public health intervention programmes.

Objective:

To evaluate the burden of cardiovascular risk behaviours among students of a medical college of Delhi, India.

Materials and Methods:

A cross sectional study was carried out among undergraduate medical students of a medical college in Delhi. Self administered questionnaire was used to collect information on identification data and risk behaviours in relation to cardiovascular diseases. Binary logistic regression analysis was done to calculate adjusted odds ratio to assess association between risk behaviours and covariates.

Results:

The minimum recommendation of taking at least five servings per day of fruits and vegetables was complied only by 12% of students. Consumption of carbonated soft drinks either once or more on daily basis was present in 23.7% students and 32.0% reported frequent consumption of fast foods in past week. Consumption of alcohol was present in 28.8% students but only small proportion of students (7%) was current tobacco users. Large proportions of students (42.6%) were either not carrying out or were involved in only occasional physical activity in past week.

Conclusions:

Unhealthy behavioural practises are present and may progress as student advance through medical college. Developing strategies targeting at these risk behaviours and determining factors is necessary to promote healthy life style among medical students.


Lifestyle Disease Risk Factors Among First Year Medical Students In Bareilly (India)



Abstract

Background & Objectives:

Life style related risk factors are mainly implicated for increased burden of cardio- vascular diseases. Early identification of these risk factors especially among medical students is essential, considering their role as future physicians and role models in public health intervention. Prevalence of lifestyle related risk factors among the medical students of Rohilkhand Medical College and Hospital, Bareilly was studied.

Methods:

This cross sectional study was carried out among the first year medical students of Rohilkhand Medical College and Hospital, Bareilly after taking ethical clearance from institutional ethical committee and informed consent of students. A structured pretested questionnaire was used to collect detailed information about the subjects’ self-reported behavioral and lifestyle associated risk factors for (Tobacco use, alcohol consumption, physical inactivity and type of diet), the measurement of subject’s blood pressure and anthropometrical parameters.

Results:

Out of the 99 respondents, nearly 30.3% of students had a family history of hypertension while 41.4% had a family history of diabetes. Nearly one third were found to be overweight. The prevalence of hypertension was 24.2%. Nearly 14.1% respondents had a smoking habit while 8.1% consumed tobacco in smokeless form. About 10.1% students admitted that they had consumed alcohol during the last one year. Only one third of the respondents did regular physical exercise. A higher proportion of respondents (53.4%) were vegetarians. Most of students (83.8 %) added extra salt to their cooked food items. Also a higher proportion of respondents had an adverse food intake (56.6%).

Conclusion: Early identification of lifestyle risk factors and their modification among medical students is required.

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