Abstract:
Background: Chronic diseases including cardiovascular diseases are becoming common in
developing countries. In Sub-Saharan Africa there is inadequate data on the burden of
cardiovascular diseases due to low financial allocation and priorities mainly focusing on child
and maternal health as well as communicable diseases. Even though national data is not
adequately available in Ethiopia, small-scale studies show that CNCDs are emerging as public
health problems. The prevalence of NCDs especially CVDs are increasing due to changes in
lifestyles. Objective: To determine the prevalence and identify risk factors of cardiovascular
disease among adults residing in Gilgel Gibe field research center, Jimma, South west Ethiopia,
2017. Methods: Data were extracted for this particular study from a population-based crosssectional study which was conducted at Gilgel Gibe Field Research Center among adults of both
sexes to measure the prevalence of common chronic non-communicable diseases, Southwest
Ethiopia, conducted from September 2008 to January 2009. Based on the inclusion and exclusion
criteria a total of 1731 individuals aged 15-64 years who were participated in the previous survey
were selected and included in this study. Data were exported from EpiData version 3.1 to SPSS
for Windows version 20.0 and analyzed. Both descriptive and analytical statistical methods
(frequency distribution, cross tabulation and summery measures) were displayed. Bivariate
logistic regression was done to identify candidate variables at p<0.25 at 95% CI. Multivariate
logistic regression (backward stepwise: LR) was done to control confounders and identify
independent predictors of the outcome variable at p ≤0.05 at 95% confidence interval. Result: A
total of 1731 study subjects were included in this study. Off those, about 873(50.4%) and
858(49.6%) study participants were males and females, respectively. The overall prevalence of
cardiovascular disease was found to be 46/1731(2.7%). The specific reported prevalence of
cardiovascular disease was found to be: 9(1.2%) for current khat chewers, 11(5.5%) for raised
blood triglycerides. Current Khat chewing (AOR=3.67, 95 CI: 1.69, 7.95), and
hypertriglyceridemia (AOR= 2.42, 95% CI: 1.20, 4.88) were found to be the independent
predictors of cardiovascular disease in the study population. Conclusion: Cardiovascular disease
and its risk factors were widely distributed among the study population. In the study population
current khat chewing and elevated blood triglycerides were found to be independently associated
risk factors for cardiovascular disease. Appropriate preventive and health promotive measures
should be designed to prevent and control the problem in the study area.
