Prevalence Of The Risk Factor Of Cardiovascular Diseases Among Undergraduate Students In University Of Benin

1.3 Objective of the study

The broad objectives of this study is to examine the prevalence of the risk factor of cardiovascular diseases among undergraduate students in university of Benin. The other specific objectives includes:

1. To find out the prevalence of cardiovascular diseases among university students.

2. To determine the level of students awareness of the nature of cardiovascular diseases.

3. To assess the cardiovascular risk factors prevalent among students in University of Benin.

4. To determine the level of students awareness of the complications of cardiovascular risk factors.

1.4 Research Questions

The study will by guided by the following questions;

a. What is the prevalence of cardiovascular diseases among university students?

b. What is the level of students awareness of the nature of cardiovascular diseases?

c. What are the cardiovascular risk factors prevalent among students in University of Benin?

d. What is the level of students awareness of the complications of cardiovascular risk factors?

1.5 Research hypotheses

Ho: There is no high prevalence of cardiovascular risk factors among students in University of Benin.

Ha: There is a high prevalence of cardiovascular risk factors among students in University of Benin.

1.6 Significance of the study 

Basically, this study will help to raise alarm on the risk factors associated with CVD, hence, increasing students awareness. The study will also help students to manage the habits they exhibit so as  not be fall victim of CVD.

Additionally, subsequent researchers will use it as literature review. This means that, other students who may decide to conduct studies in this area will have the opportunity to use this study as available literature that can be subjected to critical review.Invariably, the result of the study contributes immensely to the body of academic knowledge with regards to the prevalence of the risk factor of cardiovascular diseases among undergraduate students in university of Benin.

1.7 Scope of the study

The scope of this study borders on the prevalence of the risk factor of cardiovascular diseases among undergraduate students in university of Benin. Hence, the respondents for this study will comprise of undergraduates in university of Benin, Edo State.

1.8 Limitation of study

This research project, like all human endeavors, had some challenges that threatened to derail the study's completion. One of the reasons is that the time allotted for this work was so limited that the researcher did not have enough time to complete the task thoroughly. During data collection, the researcher also had to put forth extra effort to understand the respondents' interview schedules, several of whom fell into the incomprehensible age group. Also, there were financial and transportation constraints to deal with. Insufficient funds tend to impede the efficiency of the researcher in sourcing the relevant materials, literature, or information and in the process of data collection (internet, questionnaire, interview).

1.9 Definition of Terms

Cardiovascular disease: any abnormal condition characterized by dysfunction of the heart and blood vessels. In the United States cardiovascular disease is the leading cause of death. Various forms of cardiovascular disease include atherosclerosis, cardiomyopathy, rheumatic heart disease, syphilitic endocarditis, and systemic venous hypertension (K. Anderson, Anderson, & Glanze, 1998). 

Cardiovascular Risk Factors

Cardiovascular risk factors can be classified as modifiable, non-modifiable and emerging.

Blood Pressure: the pressure exerted by the circulating volume of blood on the walls of the arteries and veins and on the chambers of the heart. Blood pressure is regulated by the homeostatic mechanisms of the body by the volume of the blood, the lumen of the arteries and arterioles, and the force of cardiac contraction. In the aorta and large arteries of a healthy young adult, average blood pressure is approximately 120 mmHg in systole and 80 mmHg during diastole (Goff et al., 2014).

1.10 Organizations of the Study

The study is categorized into five chapters. The first chapter presents the background of the study, statement of the problem, objective of the study, research questions and hypothesis, the significance of the study, scope/limitations of the study, and definition of terms. The chapter two covers the  review of literature with emphasis on conceptual framework, theoretical framework, and empirical review. Likewise, the chapter three which is the research methodology, specifically covers the research design, population of the study,  sample size determination,  sample size, and selection technique and procedure, research instrument and administration, method of data collection, method of data analysis, validity and reliability of the study, and ethical consideration. The second to last chapter being the chapter four presents the data presentation and analysis, while the last chapter(chapter five) contains the summary, conclusion and recommendation.