Identifying Risk Factors For Cardiovascular Disease During A Medical Mission Outreach

Abstract

Background

Cardiovascular diseases (CVD) contribute 17.3million to global mortality annually. with increasing urbanization, sedentary lifestyle,  obesity and other worsening social indices, incidence of CVD has continued to rise in Nigeria and other third world countries, ultimately worsening already poor economic and clinical outcomes. Medical missions when properly designed and executed can serve as an important avenue for identifying gaps in patient care and promotion ofpharmacist-cognitiveservices. The objective of this study was to identify CVD risks in volunteers duringa medical mission outreach.

Method

The study was an exploratory study. Volunteers were sampled from respondents at a medical mission at Festac town, Amuwo Odofin, Lagos State. A total of 224 volunteers were interviewed by pharmacists to obtain demographic data and medical history. The weights. height and blood pressure were measured in accordance with JNC7 guidelines. Laboratory tests [Random Blood Sugar or Fasting Blood Sugar and total cholesterol] were conducted by licensed laboratory scientists. Informed consent was taken as decision to participate after the participants were addressed.

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