Grace Mary George1, Kamlesh Kumari Sharma2, Sivasubramaniam Ramakrishnan3, Sanjeev Kumar Gupta4. 1. Postgraduate Student, All India Institute of Medical Sciences, New Delhi, India. 2. Lecturer, College of Nursing, All India Institute of Medical Sciences, Ansari Nagar, New Delhi, India. Electronic address: kamlesh_con@yahoo.co.in. 3. Associate Professor, Department of Cardiology, All India Institute of Medical Sciences, New Delhi, India. 4. Professor, Centre for Community Medicine, All India Institute of Medical Sciences, New Delhi, India.
Abstract
BACKGROUND: Data on the knowledge of cardiovascular risk factors among Indian school children are limited. Aim of the study was to assess the prevalence of cardiovascular risk factors and its knowledge among school children of Delhi. METHODS: We performed a cross-sectional survey among 485 school children studying in classes 6, 7 and 8 in two government and one private school in New Delhi using convenience sampling. Cardiovascular risk factors (physical activity, diet and smoking), knowledge about risk factors and family profile were assessed using a structured self report questionnaire. Weight, height and blood pressure measurements were taken. RESULTS: The mean age of the studied school children was 12.8 ± 1.6 years. The prevalence of overweight and obesity was 9.5% and 11.5% respectively. The prevalence of prehypertension, stage 1 hypertension and stage 2 hypertension was 12.4%, 6.8% and 1.4% respectively. Of the total, 43.8% were physically active for at least 1 hour per day on all 7 days of the previous week. Daily consumption of fruits and vegetables was reported by 42% and 76% of the school children respectively. Nearly 5% of the school children reported to have used any form of tobacco. One fifth of the school children had a family history of cardiovascular disease. Of the total, 25.4% had adequate knowledge regarding cardiovascular risk factors. CONCLUSION: Cardiovascular risk factors are highly prevalent among school children. Importantly, school children lack adequate knowledge regarding cardiovascular risk factors. School based interventions are required for cardiovascular risk reduction in childhood.
BACKGROUND: Data on the knowledge of cardiovascular risk factors among Indian school children are limited. Aim of the study was to assess the prevalence of cardiovascular risk factors and its knowledge among school children of Delhi. METHODS: We performed a cross-sectional survey among 485 school children studying in classes 6, 7 and 8 in two government and one private school in New Delhi using convenience sampling. Cardiovascular risk factors (physical activity, diet and smoking), knowledge about risk factors and family profile were assessed using a structured self report questionnaire. Weight, height and blood pressure measurements were taken. RESULTS: The mean age of the studied school children was 12.8 ± 1.6 years. The prevalence of overweight and obesity was 9.5% and 11.5% respectively. The prevalence of prehypertension, stage 1 hypertension and stage 2 hypertension was 12.4%, 6.8% and 1.4% respectively. Of the total, 43.8% were physically active for at least 1 hour per day on all 7 days of the previous week. Daily consumption of fruits and vegetables was reported by 42% and 76% of the school children respectively. Nearly 5% of the school children reported to have used any form of tobacco. One fifth of the school children had a family history of cardiovascular disease. Of the total, 25.4% had adequate knowledge regarding cardiovascular risk factors. CONCLUSION: Cardiovascular risk factors are highly prevalent among school children. Importantly, school children lack adequate knowledge regarding cardiovascular risk factors. School based interventions are required for cardiovascular risk reduction in childhood.
Authors: Ilana G Raskind; Shailaja S Patil; Nikhil Tandon; Sharanya Thummalapally; Michael R Kramer; Solveig A Cunningham Journal: Health Educ Behav Date: 2020-06-09
Authors: T M Manjurul Islam; Palash Chandra Banik; Lingkan Barua; Sheikh Mohammed Shariful Islam; Shahanaz Chowdhury; M S A Mansur Ahmed Journal: BMJ Open Date: 2020-10-21 Impact factor: 2.692