Cardiovascular risk assessment between urban and rural population in Malaysia
- Author:
Noor Hassim Ismail
;
Norazman Mohd Rosli
;
Diana Mahat
;
Khairul Hazdi Yusof
;
Rosnah Ismail
- Publication Type:Journal Article
- Keywords:
Cardiovascular disease;
risk factors;
urban and rural population;
adult;
Malaysia
- From:
The Medical Journal of Malaysia
2016;71(6):331-337
- CountryMalaysia
- Language:English
-
Abstract:
Introduction: Cardiovascular disease (CVD) caused
significant burden to Malaysia as it accounted for 36% of
total deaths. This study aims to evaluate the burden of
cardiovascular risk factors among Malaysian adult and
assess the difference between urban and rural population in
the selected communities.
Methods: This study is part of the ongoing Prospective
Urban Rural Epidemiology (PURE) database, whereby the
baseline data were collected since June 2008. CVD risk was
measured using INTERHEART risk score which comprised
of eleven risk factors i.e. age and gender, family history of
heart attack, smoking status, exposure to second hand
smoke, diabetes mellitus, hypertension status, waist-hip
ratio, self-reported stress, depression, dietary habits and
physical activity status.
Results: Majority of the studied participants had low
cardiovascular risk (57%). Participants from rural area were
generally older, had lower educational status, higher
prevalence of smokers, obesity, hypertension, diabetes, and
more likely to be depressed. In comparison, urbanites had
lower physical activities and more likely to be stressful.
Mean INTERHEART score among rural participants were
higher, especially for male, in comparison to urbanite
(11.5±5.83 vs. 10.01±5.74, p<0.001).
Conclusion: Contradict to common beliefs, participants in
rural areas generally have higher cardiovascular risk factors
compared to their urban counterparts. The rural population
should be targeted for focused preventive interventions,
taking account the socioeconomic and cultural context.
- Full text:P020170208410461167023.pdf
