Assessing the risk factors of Coronary heart disease among rural adults in the Joe Gqabi District: Eastern Cape

Cardiovascular disease (CVD) such as coronary heart disease (CHD) is a contributing factor to a large percentage of mortalities and morbidities worldwide including in affluent South African setting. In the Eastern Cape of Province, South Africa, there is no extensive data reported on Coronary Heart Disease (CHD) determinants and risk factors. The present study sought to assess the risk factors and determinants of CHD. This case (n=50) control (n=50) study matched for sex and age, was conducted among Xhosa adults from rural and semi urban/ township areas of Joe Gqabi District, Eastern Cape Province of South Africa. Non modifiable, environmental, lifestyle, and psychological factors were investigated using univariate analysis and multivariate logistic regression analysis. Depression, alcohol excessive intake, family history of CHD were the CHD univariate risk factors. The independent risk factors of CHD were uncontrolled systolic hypertension (Odds Ratio (OR)=95; 95% Confidence Interval 16.9-128; In front of a multifactorial disease driven by interactions of socio determinants and traditional risk factors, urgent programmes of education, clinical management and health promotion for adequate diet, physical activity, adherence and compliance to medication and are needed to curb epidemic proportions of CVD risk factors