Prevalence and determinants of hypertension and associated cardiovascular risk factors: data from a population-based, cross-sectional survey in Saint Louis, Senegal.
BACKGROUND
The incidence of cardiovascular disease is growing worldwide and this is of major public health concern. In sub-Saharan Africa, there is a lack of epidemiological data on the prevalence and distribution of risk factors of cardiovascular disease. This study aimed at assessing the prevalence of hypertension and other cardiovascular risk factors among an urban Senegalese population.


METHODS
Using an adaptation of the WHO STEPwise approach to chronic disease risk-factor surveillance, we conducted a population-based, cross-sectional survey from 3 to 30 May 2010 on 1 424 participants aged over 15 years. Socio-demographic and behavioural risk factors were collected in step 1. Physical anthropometryc measurements and blood pressure were documented in step 2. Blood tests (cholesterol, fasting blood glucose, and creatinine levels) were carried out in step 3.


RESULTS
The prevalence of hypertension was 46% (95% CI: 43.4-48%), with a higher prevalence in females (47.9%) than males (41.7%) (p = 0.015), and 50% of these hypertensive were previously undiagnosed. Mean age was 53.6 years (SD: 15.8). In known cases of hypertension, the average length of its evolution was 6 years 9 months (range 1 month to 60 years). Hypertension was significantly associated with age (p = 0.001), socio-professional category (p = 0.003), dyslipidaemia (p < 0.001), obesity (p < 0.001), physical inactivity (p < 0.001), diabetes (p < 0.001) and stroke (p < 0.001).


CONCLUSIONS
We found a high prevalence of hypertension and other cardiovascular risk factors in this population. There is need of a specific programme for the management and prevention of cardiovascular disease in this population.
Cardiology Department, Grand Yoff Hospital, Dakar, Senegal.
Soulemane
S
Pessinaba
Alassane
A
Mbaye
Grace-A-Dieu
GA
Yabeta
Adama
A
Kane
Cheikh Tidiane
CT
Ndao
Mouhamadou Bamba
MB
Ndiaye
Habibou
H
Harouna
Malick
M
Bodian
Maboury
M
Diao
Maimouna Ndour
MN
Mbaye
Maimouna Ndour
MN
Diagne
Bouna
B
Diack
Moussa
M
Kane
Khadim
K
Niang
Jean-Baptiste Sy
JB
Mathieu
Abdoul
A
Kane
D000293:Adolescent; D000328:Adult; D000367:Age Factors; D000368:Aged; D000886:Anthropometry; D001786:Blood Glucose; D001795:Blood Pressure Determination; D002784:Cholesterol / Q000097:blood; D003404:Creatinine / Q000097:blood; D003430:Cross-Sectional Studies; D003625:Data Collection; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D006973:Hypertension / Q000175:diagnosis* / Q000453:epidemiology*; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D015995:Prevalence; D012307:Risk Factors; D012675:Senegal; D012737:Sex Factors; D012919:Social Behavior; D012959:Socioeconomic Factors; D014505:Urban Population; D055815:Young Adult
D001786:Blood Glucose; D002784:Cholesterol; D003404:Creatinine