Highlights
- •We evaluate the presence of similar stroke risk factors in couples living in a remote rural setting.
- •A total of 268 couples were identified among 898 individuals aged ≥40 years enrolled in the Atahualpa Project.
- •Stroke risk factors were defined according to the American Heart Association criteria.
- •Being married to a spouse with poor exercise and poor diet were associated with these risk factors in the other partner.
- •Intervention strategies directed to couples are needed to improve healthy styles leading to stroke in rural populations.
Abstract
Purpose
By the use of a population-based design, this study aimed to evaluate the presence
of similar stroke risk factors in couples living in a remote rural setting (Atahualpa).
Methods
Atahualpa residents aged ≥40 years were identified by means of door-to-door surveys,
and those who signed a comprehensive consent form were enrolled in the Atahualpa Project.
Baselines interviews and procedures, aimed to assess stroke risk factors, were collected
at the time of admission in all participants.
Results
We identified 268 couples among 898 individuals aged ≥40 years enrolled in the Atahualpa
Project. Traditional risk factors were defined according to the American Heart Association
criteria. Generalized estimating equations, adjusted for age, showed that being married
to a spouse with poor physical activity (p = 0.027) and a poor diet (p < 0.001) were associated with the presence of these risk factors in the other partner.
Conclusions
Intervention strategies directed to couples are needed to improve poor healthy styles
leading to stroke in underserved populations.
Keywords
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Article info
Publication history
Published online: January 23, 2019
Accepted:
January 22,
2019
Received in revised form:
January 20,
2019
Received:
November 12,
2018
Identification
Copyright
© 2019 Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved.
