Cardiovascular Risk Profile of Post-Menopausal Women in a Semi-Urban Community in Nigeria

Aims: Menopause is associated with a myriad of chronic health risks. This study assessed the Cardiovascular Disease (CVD) risk profile of post-menopausal women from a semi-urban community in Nigeria.
Study Design: Cross-sectional study
Place and Duration of Study: Ife Central Local Government, Ile - Ife, Nigeria
Methodology: One hundred and twenty menopausal women aged 55 years and older participated in this study. The respondents were recruited using a multistage sampling technique. The Framingham Heart Study Questionnaire was used to assess CVD risk level. Risk scores were classified as low (0-19), medium (20-29) and high risk (40+). Socio-Economic Status (SES) was assessed using a validated questionnaire while cardiovascular and anthropometric parameters were measured following standard procedures. Data were analyzed using descriptive and inferential statistics. Alpha level was set at 0.05.
Results: The mean age, weight and Body Mass Index (BMI) of respondents were 64.9±8.4 years, 73.4±15.2kg and 27.3±5.4kg/m² respectively. A majority, 84(70.0%) of the respondents had high blood pressure, 77(64.2%) had over five years duration of onset of menopause while 13(10.8%) had high cardiovascular risk. Half of the respondents, 64(53.3%) were in the low SES class. High CVD risk was higher among individuals with over five years of menopause. Pearson Product Moment Correlation revealed significant relationship between CVD risk and each of age (r = 0.507; P = 0.01), body weight (r = 0.257; P = 0.01), onset time of menopause (0.359; P = 0.01), blood pressure status (r = 0.665; P = 0.01), occupation (r = 0.330; P = 0.01) and SES (r = 0.406; P = 0.01) among post-menopausal women.
Conclusion: Prevalence of CVD risk was high among Nigerian post-menopausal women in a semi-urban community. Age, body weight, years of onset menopause, blood pressure, occupation and socio-economic status level had significant relationship with high cardiovascular disease risk.