Background: Cardiovascular diseases (CVD) are considered major health and economic
burdens throughout the world. This study was conducted to estimate the magnitude of
three major CVD (hypertension, ischemic heart diseases (IHD) and stroke), their risk
factors, prevention and, control plan. Methods: The study design was cross-sectional.
Multi-stage random sampling technique was used at different schools in Benghazi, Libya.
A sample of 1200 teachers was randomly selected. Three formats were used for data
collection. These included a self-administered questionnaire, a standardized Rose
CVD interview questionnaire, as well as a special form for collecting data on the
following: anthropometric measurements, blood pressure, clinical examination, as well
as results of laboratory findings, and ECG tracings. Results: The prevalence of hypertension
and IHD were 15.1% and 2.7% respectively while no cases of stroke could be detected
in the study-sample. The selected CVD were found to be independently predicted by
age, gender, family history of hypertension, BMI, smoking index, fasting blood sugar
level, and HDL (CI 95%). Conclusion: Risk factors for hypertension & IHD among schoolteachers
in Benghazi, Libya included age, BMI, fasting blood sugar, gender, smoking index,
HDL, & family history of hypertension. There is thus an urgent need for intensive
health education interventions for this group. There is also a need to initiate an
implementation of a national program for CVD risk factors assessment, as well as promotion
of an overall healthy lifestyle for school teachers through the use of health education
which should be directed to smoking health related problems.
Key-words:
Prevalence - hypertension - IHD - school teachers - Libya - and risk factors.
