Abstract:

Objectives: Stress has been known to trigger spikes in blood pressure, increase heart rate variability and promote vasoconstriction; all of which are direct contributors to coronary heart disease causation. Given the recent decline in the age of incidence among coronary heart disease sufferers, this study was designed to assess knowledge and perceived levels of stress, and stress management strategies.

Methods: This cross-sectional study involved 406 participants, randomly drawn from the postgraduate faculties of University of Ibadan, South-West Nigeria. Data was collected using the 10-point standardized knowledge scale for cardiovascular disease, the 10-item Perceived Stress Scale (PSS-10) and the 28-item Brief COPE Inventory Scale.

Results: Significant associations were observed between knowledge scores and fields of study (p = 0.002), and as well as gender (p = 0.000). Whereas only 2.2% of the respondents were severely stressed, most of the respondents (69.2%) were moderately stressed, and significant associations were observed between stress levels and fields of study (p = 0.026). Although healthy stress management strategies were widely adopted, an association was observed between gender and substance use as well as the use of emotional support as stress management strategies (p = 0.000 and 0.001 respectively).

Conclusions: Given the factors found to influence choice of stress coping mechanisms, the use of targeted behavioural change communication materials should be encouraged to help build skills for healthy stress coping mechanisms.

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