Original Research Article An Epidemiological Study to Detect Prevalence of Cardiovascular Diseases Risk Factors among Wives of Army Personnel

Background: Cardiovascular diseases (CVDs) among women are of immense public health importance world-over, and the importance is rising in developing nations including India. There is lack of studies on prevalence of cardiovascular risk factors in women, and no study has been carried out among wives of Armed Forces personnel. Aims & Objectives: The present study was conducted to determine the prevalence of risk factors for CVDs among wives of Army personnel with an aim to plan evidence based preventive strategy for the target population. Material & Methods: A cross sectional study recording history, anthropometric measurements, physical examination and biochemical tests to detect modifiable risk factors among the study population. Results: The study revealed that 151 out of 313 women aged 30 years and above had at least one risk factor for CVDs. Physical inactivity (30.67%) and overweight / obesity (17.25%) were the commonest risk factors, followed by high total cholesterol (9.90%). High blood pressure was detected in 19 (6.07%). Prevalence of high blood glucose was identified in 3.19 % of the participants. Exposure to second hand smoke was 6.71%, while 4.47 % of women gave positive history of CVD in the family, and 2.88 % had chronic stress. Conclusion: The study demonstrates that behaviour change communication mainly to decrease overweight/obesity; increase leisure-time physical activity and diet modifications will go a long way to decrease the prevalence of risk factors, and impact of CVDs in spouses of Armed Forces personnel