AN INVESTIGATION INTO THE  KNOWLEDGE AND RISK FOR CARDIOVASCULAR DISEASE AMONG OLDER ADULTS IN SOUTH WEST NIGERIA

CHAPTER ONE

INTRODUCTION

Background of the study

Cardiovascular disease (CVD) is a predominant cause of morbidity and death worldwide, profoundly affecting the quality of life of elderly individuals. The World Health Organisation (2021) reports that cardiovascular diseases (CVDs) constitute over 31% of global mortality, with older persons disproportionately impacted owing to the cumulative influence of many risk factors throughout their lives. As populations age, the incidence of cardiovascular disease (CVD) is anticipated to increase, underscoring the critical need for thorough comprehension and targeted intervention techniques for this demographic. The ageing process is linked to several physiological changes that elevate the risk of cardiovascular diseases. With advancing age, the flexibility of blood arteries weakens, and the heart's capacity to pump blood effectively declines (Mozaffarian et al., 2016). Moreover, age-associated comorbidities including hypertension and diabetes exacerbate cardiovascular risk (Benjamin et al., 2019). The age-related alterations need comprehension of how older persons perceive and regulate their cardiovascular health. Studies demonstrate that understanding and awareness of cardiovascular risk factors are essential for the prevention and treatment of cardiovascular disease (Graham et al., 2018). Prevalent risk factors include hypertension, hyperlipidaemia, obesity, sedentary lifestyle, and tobacco use. Nevertheless, research indicates that many older persons possess inadequate understanding of these characteristics and their related dangers. Mensah et al. (2019) discovered that insufficient understanding of cardiovascular disease risk factors often results in suboptimal health-seeking behaviours, causing delays in diagnosis and treatment. Comprehending this knowledge deficit is crucial for formulating successful educational treatments.Lifestyle variables substantially affect the likelihood of acquiring cardiovascular disease. Unhealthy eating practices, lack of physical activity, and tobacco use are alterable risk factors that may result in negative cardiovascular consequences (Adedoyin et al., 2017). Implementing good lifestyle choices, including regular physical exercise and a balanced diet, may significantly reduce the risk of cardiovascular disease in older persons. Nevertheless, some older persons have obstacles to embracing these healthful practices, such as physical limits, insufficient desire, and socio-economic restraints (Benjamin et al., 2019). Moreover, access to healthcare services is crucial in managing cardiovascular risk factors. Older persons often face obstacles like transportation difficulties, financial limitations, and insufficient health insurance coverage, which might impede their access to preventative treatment (Mensah et al., 2019). Moreover, health literacy—characterized as the capacity to acquire, analyse, and comprehend fundamental health information—impacts the manner in which older persons interact with healthcare practitioners and comply with medical recommendations (Graham et al., 2018). Improving health literacy in older persons is essential for enabling them to manage their cardiovascular health proficiently.Access to healthcare services is crucial for managing cardiovascular risk factors. Senior individuals often face obstacles such transportation difficulties, financial limitations, and insufficient health insurance coverage, which might impede their access to preventative treatment (Mensah et al., 2019). Moreover, health literacy—characterized as the capacity to acquire, interpret, and comprehend fundamental health information—impacts the manner in which older persons interact with healthcare practitioners and comply with medical recommendations (Graham et al., 2018). Improving health literacy in older persons is essential for enabling them to manage their cardiovascular health proficiently. The prevalence of cardiovascular disease in Nigeria is becoming more apparent, especially among the elderly population. Insufficient health infrastructure, restricted access to knowledge on cardiovascular disease (CVD), and cultural views might hinder preventative initiatives (Adedoyin et al., 2017). Therefore, the researcher sought to investigate the knowledge and risk for cardiovascular disease among older adults in South west Nigeria.

Statement of the problem

Cardiovascular disease (CVD) continues to be a primary cause of morbidity and death globally, especially in older persons (World Health Organisation [WHO], 2021). The ageing process markedly elevates the risk of cardiovascular diseases owing to the cumulative impact of lifestyle variables, genetic predisposition, and physiological alterations (Mozaffarian et al., 2016). Nonetheless, awareness of cardiovascular disease risk factors in older persons is often inadequate, leading to postponed diagnoses and worse health outcomes (Mensah et al., 2019). Research indicates that enhancing knowledge of risk factors, including hypertension, diabetes, and poor nutrition, might facilitate improved treatment and prevention of cardiovascular disease (Benjamin et al., 2019). Research indicates that some older persons may not possess sufficient comprehension of the relationship between these risk factors and cardiovascular health (Graham et al., 2018). In Nigeria, where access to healthcare and levels of health literacy are markedly inconsistent, older persons are more susceptible to cardiovascular disease owing to insufficient understanding of preventative and treatment techniques (Adedoyin et al., 2017). This information deficit may intensify the burden of cardiovascular disease, resulting in elevated hospitalisation rates, increased healthcare expenditures, and a worse quality of life among the elderly. Hence, the need to investigate the knowledge and risk for cardiovascular disease among older adults in South west Nigeria.

1.3 Objective of the study

The broad objective of the study is to investigate the knowledge and risk for cardiovascular disease among older adults in South west Nigeria. The specific objectives is as follows

To assess the level of knowledge about cardiovascular disease (CVD) among older adults in south west Nigeria

To identify the most common cardiovascular risk factors present among older adults in south west Nigeria

To identify barriers to adopting healthy behaviors that reduce CVD risk among older adults in south west Nigeria

To recommend effective health promotion strategies aimed at improving cardiovascular health literacy and reducing CVD risks in older adults in  south west Nigeria

1.4 Research questions

The following questions have been prepared to guide the study

What is the level of knowledge about cardiovascular disease (CVD) among older adults in south west Nigeria?

What are the most common cardiovascular risk factors present among older adults in south west Nigeria?

What are the barriers to adopting healthy behaviors that reduce CVD risk among older adults in south west Nigeria?

What are the recommended health promotion strategies aimed at improving cardiovascular health literacy and reducing CVD risks in older adults in  south west Nigeria?

1.5 Significance of the study

Findings of the study will  provide valuable data that can inform healthcare providers, policymakers, and public health officials on the need to design and implement age-specific cardiovascular health programs. These programs can focus on health promotion and early detection of CVD, especially in older populations.  Findings of the study will also be significant to the academic community as it will contribute to the existing literature, add to library resources and serve as a guide to future academic researchers

1.6 Scope of the study

The study focus on  the  knowledge and risk for cardiovascular disease among older adults in South west Nigeria. Empirically, the study will assess the level of knowledge about cardiovascular disease (CVD) among older adults in south west Nigeria, identify the most common cardiovascular risk factors present among older adults in south west Nigeria,  identify barriers to adopting healthy behaviors that reduce CVD risk among older adults in south west Nigeria and recommend effective health promotion strategies aimed at improving cardiovascular health literacy and reducing CVD risks in older adults in  south west Nigeria.

Geographically, the study is delimited to Osun State.

1.7 Limitation of the study

Like in every human endeavour, the researchers encountered slight constraints while carrying out the study. The significant constraint are: 

Time: The researcher encountered time constraint as the researcher had to carry out this research along side other academic activities such as attending lectures and other educational activities required of her.

Finance: The researcher incurred more financial expenses in carrying out this study such as typesetting, printing, sourcing for relevant materials, literature, or information and in the data collection process.

Availability of Materials: The researcher encountered challenges in sourcing for literature in this study. The scarcity of literature on the subject due to the nature of the discourse was a limitation to this study.

1.8 Definition of terms

Cardiovascular Disease (CVD): A group of disorders of the heart and blood vessels, including coronary heart disease, cerebrovascular disease, and hypertension, that can lead to heart attacks, strokes, and other serious conditions.

Older Adults: Individuals aged 60 years and above, who are at an increased risk of various age-related health conditions, including cardiovascular diseases .

Risk Factors: Characteristics, behaviors, or conditions that increase an individual's likelihood of developing a disease or health condition. For cardiovascular disease, common risk factors include smoking, hypertension, diabetes, and sedentary lifestyle.

Knowledge: The awareness, information, and understanding that individuals have about cardiovascular disease, its risk factors, prevention, and management.

Preventive Measures: Actions or strategies aimed at reducing the risk or onset of cardiovascular disease, such as maintaining a healthy diet, exercising regularly, and avoiding smoking.

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