Table 1 Summary of the seven included articles in the CVD and its risk factors qualitative metasynthesis

1

Ssewanyana et al., 2018, Kenya

To explore the perceptions of adolescents on unhealthy diet and sedentary lifestyle

Community of Kilifi county

Descriptive qualitative analysis

Snowball sampling; 10 FGD for adolescents, lasts for 75–120 min;

In depth Interview for 10 adults, lasts for 60–90 min; transcribed verbatim; digitally recorded

N = 78 (68 adolescents (10–19 years) and 10 adults working with adolescents

2

Risenga et al., 2007, South Africa

To explore cultural values, beliefs and practices in relation to HTN

Community of Limpopo province

Exploratory, descriptive and contextual qualitative analysis

nonprobability purposive sampling; interview for traditional healers; FGD for patients with HTN; content analysis and Tesch’s stages of data analysis

N = 45 (30 patients with HTN and 15 traditional healers)

3

Temu et al., 2017,

Kenya

To explore lay beliefs about HTN among HIV-infected adults

Kenyatta Referral and Teaching Hospital Comprehensive Care Center

Descriptive qualitative analysis

Purposive sampling; 6 FGD (5–8 participants), pretested in 10 in-depth-interview, PI and RA guide the FGD, last for approximate 90 min, audiotaped,

groups added until inductive analysis revealed no new concepts, written notes and audio recording;

Nvivo 11 software for analysis

N = 53 (31 F),

age: ≥ 18 years, all had documented HIV diagnosis

4

Surka et al., 2015, South Africa

To explore the knowledge and perceptions of community members about risk for CVD

Community of Nyanga

Qualitative framework analysis

Purposive sampling; 3 FGD (8–10 participants), lasts for 60–90 min, digitally recorded; transcribed verbatim

N = 28 (24 F); age ≥ 25 years

5

Roos et al., 2015, South Africa

To determine the self-perception and behavior in relation to risk for IHD in a cohort of South African PLWHA

HIV clinic in Johannesburg

Qualitative descriptive/thematic analysis

Purposive sampling; interview, open-ended, tape recorded; descriptive analysis and conventional content analysis

N = 30 participants on HAART treatment for 6–12 months; age: 20–65 years

6

Okop et al., 2016, South Africa

To explore the perceptions of body size, obesity risk awareness, and the willingness to lose weight

Community of Langa

Descriptive qualitative analysis

Purposive sampling; 8 FGD (9–14 participants), lasts for 90 min, digitally recorded, notes taken; height and weight measured, and BMI calculated; Atlas.ti software for analysis

N = 78 (36 F), 34.6% obese, 24.4% overweight, and 41.0% optimal weight; age: 35–70 years

7

Namukwaya et al., 2017, Uganda

To explore the beliefs and understanding of their HF

Mulago National referral Hospital and patients homestead

Exploratory qualitative analysis

Purposive sampling; serial in depth interview (3 times); grounded theory approach; QSR Nvivo software

N = 21 patients with HF; age ≥ 18 years