Prevalence and Sex-Specific Distribution of Cardiovascular Risk Factors in University Students in an Urban–Rural Environment of the Democratic Republic of the Congo

Abstract

A recent qualitative study on health promotion in non-communicable diseases in Sub-Saharan University students suggested sex differences in knowledge and beliefs concerning a healthy lifestyle. However, the extent to which this is reflected in sex-specific distribution of cardiovascular risk factors among Sub-Saharan African students have not been fully evaluated. The objective of this study was to assess the prevalence and the sex-specific distribution of some modifiable cardiovascular risk factors among students at University of Kikwit in the Democratic Republic of the Congo. This cross-sectional descriptive study included 780 students (62.2% men) at the University of Kikwit between January and March of 2016. Data on physical measurements, lifestyle factors, and medical history were collected. The median age (interquartile range) of the students was 23 years (21-25 years). The modifiable cardiovascular risk factors identified were: alcohol consumption (53.1%), overweight (16.4%), general obesity (1.9%), abdominal obesity (10.4%), tobacco consumption (8.1%), hypertension (7.6%) and high pulse pressure (6.4%). Compared to women, men had a higher prevalence of hypertension (9.9 vs. 3.7%; p = 0.002), tobacco consumption (10.7 vs. 3.7%; p = 0.001), and alcohol consumption (58.4 vs. 44.4%; p < 0.001). In contrast, abdominal obesity was more predominant in women than in men (23.1 vs. 2.7%; p < 0.001). This study suggests a sex-specific distribution of several modifiable cardiovascular risk factors in students at the University of Kikwit. Design of sex-specific, student-targeted health promotion programs may be warranted to reduce the prevalence of risk factors and the subsequent burden of cardiovascular diseases.

Prevalence of hypertension and other cardiovascular disease risk factors among university students from the National Polytechnic Institute of Côte d’Ivoire: A cross-sectional study

“…This was corroborated by a study among medical students of the University of Makerere in Uganda, where cardiovascular risk factors with the highest prevalence was alcohol consumption with 31.7% of the sample indicating regular alcohol consumption [ 21 ]. Similar results were also reported at the university of Kikwit in the Democratic Republic of Congo with 53.1% of alcohol consumption among the sample [ 17 ]. This high alcohol consumption could be explained by the fact that students think that alcohol makes it easier to meet other people, relaxes their social inhibitions, and helps them have more fun.…”

“…A time-series study conducted in Cameroon from 2009 to 2012 among 2,726 young students indicated a prevalence of hypertension of 6.3% [ 16 ]. A similar result was reported in the Democratic Republic of Congo; the prevalence of hypertension was estimated at 7.6% among 780 students of the university of Kikwit between January and March 2016 [ 17 ]. In nine other low-and-middle income countries of Asia (Indonesia, Laos, Myanmar, Philippines, Thailand and Vietnam) a study among 4,649 university students found that 6.7% of them had hypertension, and 19.0% had pre-hypertension [ 18 ].…”

“…In addition, being female was significantly associated with an elevated BP, which is a major risk factor for hypertension. In Congo, this trend was also demonstrated with females carrying a heavier burden of modifiable cardiovascular risk factors compared to men [ 17 ]. This difference could be explained by the fact that there is high prevalence of overweight or obesity according to gender.…”

Assessing the Impact of Religion and College Life on Consumption Patterns of Ultra-Processed Foods by Young Adults: A Cross-Sectional Study

“…The prevalence of prehypertension observed in our study is of concern, particularly among Christian and Muslim males, considering the young age of the students. Several studies have shown that the prevalence of prehypertension is often higher in men than in women, which could be due to differences in hormonal activity during early life [ 31 , 32 ]. In addition, in our study it also coincides with a higher prevalence of overweight status.…”