Prevalence of cardiovascular risk factors and socioeconomic level among public-sector workers in Angola

Abstract

BackgroundCardiovascular diseases are the leading cause of death in the majority of developed and developing countries. African countries are currently facing an increase in both cardiovascular and transmitted diseases. In addition, cardiovascular risk varies among different socioeconomic groups. Thus, we determined the prevalence of modifiable cardiovascular risk factors in apparently healthy public-sector workers and investigated possible relationships with socioeconomic status.MethodsWe employed a cross-sectional study comprising 42.2% (n = 615) of the public-sector workers at Agostinho Neto University, 48% (n = 294) male and 52% (n= 321) female, with ages between 20 and 72 years and from various socioeconomic groups. The study was conducted from February 2009 to December 2010. Personal, anthropometric, biochemical, hemodynamic, socioeconomic, and physical activity data were collected.ResultsThe prevalence rates of cardiovascular risk factors were as follows: hypertension, 45.2% (men 46.3%, women 44.2%, P > 0.05); hypercholesterolemia, 11.1% (men 10.5%, women 11.5%, P > 0.05); low high-density lipoprotein (HDL) cholesterol, 50.1% (men 36.9%, women 62.3%; P < 0.05); hypertriglyceridemia, 10.6% (men 12.6%, women 8.7%, P > 0.05); smoking, 7.2% (men 10.2%, women 4.4%; P < 0.05); diabetes, 5.7% (men 5.5%, women 5.9%, P > 0.05); overweight, 29.3% (men 27.3%, women 31.2%, P > 0.05); obesity, 19.6% (men 9.2%, women 29.0%; P < 0.05); sedentary lifestyle, 87.2% (men 83.0%, women 91,0%, P < 0.05); and left ventricular hypertrophy, 20% (men 32.0%, women 9.0%; P < 0.05). At least one risk factor was present in 27.7% of the sample; 15.2% had two risk factors, and 31.4% had three or more risk factors. Among the individuals with low socioeconomic status, 41.0% had three or more risk factors.ConclusionsThe results of this study suggest the existence of a high prevalence of multiple risk factors for cardiovascular disease in apparently healthy public-sector workers in Angola. The workers in lower socioeconomic groups had higher incidences of hypertension, smoking, and left ventricular hypertrophy.

Prevalence of cardiovascular risk factors among workers at a private tertiary center in Angola

“…This is reinforced when we observe that in a study conducted approximately 10 years ago the prevalence of obesity was significantly lower than in the current (3.2% vs 20%), and there were no individuals with Grade III obesity 15. In this study, overweight and obesity were higher in women, which is in accordance with another study in the country,17 and the global trend;49 and was associated with a higher rate of high BP, as is traditionally reported 50…”

“…In relation to BMI, the combined prevalence of overweight and obesity was 54.29%, which is relatively higher than that of previous studies,15,17 suggesting a trend to increase in prevalence of weight-related problems. This is reinforced when we observe that in a study conducted approximately 10 years ago the prevalence of obesity was significantly lower than in the current (3.2% vs 20%), and there were no individuals with Grade III obesity 15.…”

“…The prevalence of DM (2.69%) was close to 2.9%, which is the rate estimated for the country’s population by the International Federation of Diabetes for the year 2013;42 but relatively lower than that found in previous studies in the country,17,18 and in neighboring countries (3.5% in southern Congo and 3.9% in South Africa) 43,44. The occurrence of DM was significantly associated with age >40 years, which is in line with the results obtained from other studies 18,43.…”

“…Little is known about the prevalence of cardiovascular risk factors in the general population. In the few available studies, the prevalence of hypertension ranged from 23% to 45.2%;15–17 and overweight and obesity 29.3% and 19.6%, respectively 17. The prevalence of DM was 2.8% and 5.7% in urban and rural population, respectively 17,18…”

A Study on Anthropometric Measurements, Blood Pressure, Blood Sugar and Food Intakes Among Different Social Status and Ethnicities

“…A study in China showed the higher risk of metabolic syndrome in women with lower education and monthly income, but male subjects did not reveal this relationship (8). Moreover, some studies that were conducted about the relationship between cardiovascular diseases and socioeconomic status reported a higher prevalence of cardiovascular disease in developed countries (9)(10)(11). It seems that the study of the relationship between the socioeconomic factors and metabolic syndrome, cardiovascular disease or diabetes in developing countries has a great importance because these countries experience nutritional transition.…”