Cardiovascular risk factors in Iranian adults according to educational levels: IHHP
Hamid Reza Roohafza, Masoumeh Sadeghi, Roya Kelishadi
Background There are abundant evidences that the socioeconomic status (SES) is inversely associated with cardiovascular disease (CVD) risk factors in different countries.
Objective To describe the distribution of CVD risk factors according to educational levels in Iranian adults according to Isfahan Healthy Heart Program (IHHP).
Methods A cross-sectional survey was performed in three cities of Iran in 2002. This study was performed on 9587 subjects over age of 19. Data was obtained through a home interview on demographic data, educational level, current drugs use, smoking habit and a clinic visit for height, weight and blood pressure measurement and blood sampling. The CVD risk factors were defined according to standard criteria. The education was used as an indicator of SE, and self-reported educational level was recorded. Data was analyzed using SPSS / win by the Mentel haenzel test, Kendalls T correlation test and multivariate analysis test.
Results In 9587 subjects, 48% men and 52% women, their mean age were 39.0±15.3 and 38.8±14.5 years respectively. The prevalence of smoking and hypertriglyceridaemia were significantly higher in men and the prevalence of hypertension, high LDL-C, hypercholesterolemia, diabetes and overweight were higher in women (P<0.05). The educational level had an inverse relationship with the prevalence of dyslipidemia (increased TC or TG or LDL-C), hypertension, diabetes and overweight, but not with smoking in women. In men, inverse relationships were observed for all the variables except TC and LDL-C. The mean value of TC, LDL-C, TG, BP, BMI, FBS and WHR showed a significant inverse association with the educational level both in men and women.
Conclusion The differences found between the prevalence of CVD risk factors among different educational levels are important and should be considered in planning programs designed for increasing education and knowledge in order to lower CVD risk factors and its morbidity and mortality. Key words education, cardiovascular risk factors, socioeconomic | | |
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