Cardiovascular Disease Risk Factors among Older Prisoners in the Ashanti Region of Ghana

Prisons are environments that have been characterised by high rates of communicable diseases until recently when the prevalence of cardiovascular diseases have been assessed, and high prevalence found. This study, involving 160 inmates assessed the prevalence of cardiovascular risk factors among prisoners in the Ashanti Region of Ghana. BMI, waist circumference and blood pressure of all participants were checked. Additionally, lifestyle and dietary factors such as exercise and fruit intake as well as medical history of inmates were assessed. Fasting blood samples were taken and analysed for lipid profile and FBG. The mean systolic blood pressure of study participants was 141.1±23.2 mmHg, diastolic 88.9±15 mmHg, BMI 22.8±4.1 kg/m2, waist circumference 81±10.3 cm, FBG 4.3±0.9 mmol/L, HDL 1.4±0.4 mmol/L and triglycerides 1.1±0.6 mmol/L. Prevalence of hypertension and dyslipidaemia was 57.5% each. Prevalence of metabolic syndrome was 8.1%, and 21.9% had two cardiovascular risk factors. In conclusion prevalence of dyslipidaemia and elevated blood pressure were high among inmates and cardiovascular risk factors were higher among female inmates compared to males. Most inmates were sedentary and occasionally consumed fruits. Interventions of appropriate dietary provision and exercise schedule should begin within Ghanaian prisons to curb this menace.