[Cardiovascular disease surveillance in Tunisia].
OBJECTIVE
To assess the Cardiovascular risk factors trend in community based surveys.


METHODS
Two population surveys were conducted in 1996-97 and 2000-01 in the Ariana region among 7608 adults 35-70 years aged. The surveys were based on: 1--a questionnary, 2--an anthropometrical and physical examination, 3--a biological investigation, and 4--an ECG registration for the second cohort.


RESULTS
Relative to the first survey, the prevalence of hypertension, diabetes, hypercholesterolemia didn't change significantly while borderline cholesterol increased on both genders, tobacco smoking decreased and ex-smokers increased on men. In both genders, hypertension and diabetes prevalence is low before 50 years but it increased after this age. Risk factors association is common: about 35% have more than two risk factors. This association is more common on women and diabetes-hypertension is the most frequent.


CONCLUSIONS
These two surveys integrated in a global surveillance program has contributed to assess the CVDs burden and to identify priorities and intervention relevant to epidemiological region context.
Ben Romdhane
Habiba
H
Laboratoire de recherche en épidémiologie et prévention des maladies cardiovasculaires en Tunisie, Institut National de Santé Publique.
Skhiri
Hajer
H
Bougatef
Souha
S
Gharbi
Donia
D
Ben Alaya
Nissaf
N
Achour
Noureddine
N
D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D002318:Cardiovascular Diseases / Q000453:epidemiology* / Q000209:etiology*; D005260:Female; D006306:Health Surveys; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D012307:Risk Factors; D014416:Tunisia / Q000453:epidemiology