Gender Differences in Risk Factors for Dyslipidemia in the Khmer Ethnic People, Vietnam

Abstract

Background: The majority of the Khmer ethnic people living in the Mekong Delta had a difficult socio-economic life and limited access to information and health services. The study was conducted to determine the prevalence of dyslipidemia and risk factors in men and women of the Khmer ethnic people, in Vietnam.
 Methods: A cross-sectional study was conducted on 1.800 Khmer people aged 25 – 64 yr living in Tra Vinh Province in the Mekong Delta region of Vietnam. Data were analyzed using descriptive statistics and multivariate logistic regression.
 Results: The prevalence of dyslipidemia was high in men (47.3%) and in women (51.4%). Men had a higher prevalence of high TG (28.9% vs. 23.9%), whereas the prevalence of high TC (34.1% vs. 42.4%), and high LDL-C (28.2% vs. 37.9%) were lower in women, (all P<0.05). In men, dyslipidemia was significantly associated with central obesity (OR=2.58, 95% CI=1.32-5.06), overweight/ obesity (OR=2.50, 95% CI=1.75-3.56), and diabetes (OR=2.15, 95% CI=1.22-3.78). In women, dyslipidemia was significantly associated with diabetes (OR=2.14, 95% CI=1.08-4.24), central obesity (OR=1.69, 95% CI=1.18-2.42), overweight/ obesity (OR=1.50, 95% CI=1.06-2.10), and hypertension (OR=1.43, 95% CI=1.03-1.99). Age was significantly associated with increased risk of dyslipidemia in both genders.
 Conclusion: Overall, the prevalence of dyslipidemia among Khmer men and women adults aged 25 - 64 years in Vietnam was high. Our findings indicated an urgent need to have dyslipidemia prevention intervention programs for the Khmer ethnic people in the Mekong Delta, especially training about obesity and increasing healthy lifestyles.

Anemia Association with Socio -Demographic and Dietary Related Factors among Women of Childbearing Age: A Review Article

“…In premenopausal women, dietary iron deficiency is frequently either the primary or a significant contributor to anemia. Factors such as a low frequency of consumption of animal source foods (15), fruits/juices (16,17), vegetables (17), and increased intake of rice (18,19), wheat flour, and plant-based foods (20,21), along with socioeconomic risk factors like women's education (22), income (23), race (18), and occupation (15), are associated with lower Hb levels in non-pregnant women of reproductive age. Given the data and the lack of studies focusing on women of reproductive age in this region, the current review study aims to evaluate the prevalence and grades of anemia and its association with contributing factors among women of reproductive age.…”