Prevalence and Predictors of Cardiovascular Disease Risk Factors Among Adults in Kuchingoro, Abuja: A Community-Based Cross-Sectional Study

Abstract

Cardiovascular diseases (CVDs) are the leading cause of global mortality, with low- and middle-income countries (LMICs), including Nigeria, facing a growing burden due to urbanization and lifestyle changes. Urban poor communities such as Kuchingoro in Abuja are particularly vulnerable due to limited healthcare access and exposure to behavioral risk factors. However, data on CVD risk patterns in such settings remain scarce. This study assessed the prevalence and predictors of cardiovascular disease risk factors among adults as well as key socio-demographic and behavioral determinants in Kuchingoro, Abuja. A community-based cross-sectional study was conducted among 400 adults aged 18–65 years in Kuchingoro, Abuja. Participants were selected using a multistage sampling technique. Data collection was performed using a structured interviewer-administered questionnaire adapted from the WHO STEPwise tool. Physical measurements (blood pressure, BMI, random blood glucose) were taken using standard procedures. Descriptive statistics summarized prevalence rates, while logistic regression was used to identify significant predictors of hypertension. Statistical significance was set at p<0.05. Results show that the most prevalent risk factor was inadequate fruit/vegetable intake (71.4%), followed by physical inactivity (41.2%), overweight/obesity (34.5%), hypertension (29.3%), alcohol use (23.1%), tobacco use (16.8%), and raised blood glucose (10.5%). Logistic regression revealed that hypertension was significantly associated with age ≥45 years (AOR = 2.83, p<0.001), male gender (AOR = 1.64, p=0.041), BMI ≥25 kg/m² (AOR = 2.51, p<0.001), and tobacco use (AOR = 1.89, p=0.019). Low educational attainment had a non-significant association (AOR = 1.42, p=0.157). Evidently, adults in Kuchingoro bear a high burden of modifiable cardiovascular risk factors, particularly unhealthy diet, physical inactivity, hypertension, and obesity. Older age, male gender, tobacco use, and obesity emerged as key predictors of hypertension. There is an urgent need for culturally tailored, community-based interventions focusing on lifestyle modification, routine screening, and integration of non-communicable disease (NCD) services into primary healthcare systems in underserved urban settings.