title: Magnitude of cardiovascular risk factors in rural and urban areas in Benin: findings from a nationwide steps survey.
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  To describe and compare the prevalences of CVRF in urban and rural populations of Benin.
  
  
  METHODS
  Subjects were drawn from participants in the Benin Steps survey, a nationwide cross-sectional study conducted in 2008 using the World Health Organisation (WHO) stepwise approach to surveillance of chronic disease risk factors. Subjects aged above 24 and below 65 years were recruited using a five-stage random sampling process within households. Sociodemographic data, behavioral data along with medical history of high blood pressure and diabetes mellitus were collected in Step 1. Anthropometric parameters and blood pressure were measured in Step 2. Blood glucose and cholesterol levels were measured in Step 3. CVRF were defined according to WHO criteria. The prevalences of CVRF were assessed and the relationships between each CVRF and the area of residence (urban or rural), were evaluated using multivariable logistic regression models.
  
  
  RESULTS
  Of the 6762 subjects included in the study, 2271 were from urban areas and 4491 were from rural areas. High blood pressure was more prevalent in urban than in rural areas, 29.9% (95% confidence intervals (95% CI): 27.4, 32.5) and 27.5% (95% CI: 25.6, 29.5) respectively, p = 0.001 (p-value after adjustment for age and gender). Obesity was more prevalent in urban than in rural areas, 16.4% (95% CI: 14.4, 18.4) and 5.9% (95% CI: 5.1, 6.7), p<0.001. Diabetes was more prevalent in urban than in rural areas, 3.3% (95% CI: 2.1, 4.5) and 1.8% (95% CI: 1.2, 2.4), p = 0.004. Conversely, daily tobacco smoking was more prevalent in rural than in urban areas, 9.3% (95% CI: 8.1, 10.4) and 4.3% (95% CI: 3.1, 5.6), p<0.001. No differences in raised blood cholesterol were noted between the two groups.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  According to our data, CVRF are prevalent among adults in Benin, and variations between rural and urban populations are significant. It may be useful to take account of the heterogeneity in the prevalence of CVRF when planning and implementing preventive interventions.
authors.affiliation: INSERM UMR 1094, Tropical Neuroepidemiology, Limoges, France; Health ministry of Benin, National Non-communicable Diseases Control Program, Porto-Novo, Benin; Faculty of health sciences of Cotonou (Benin), Laboratory of non-communicable and neurologic diseases epidemiology, Cotonou, Benin.
authors.forename: Yessito Corine Nadège
authors.initials: YC
authors.lastname: Houehanou
authors.affiliation: INSERM UMR 1094, Tropical Neuroepidemiology, Limoges, France; University hospital of Limoges (France), Department of vascular medicine, Limoges, France; University of Limoges (France), School of Medicine, Institute of Neuroepidemiology and Tropical Neurology, CNRS FR 3503 GEIST, Limoges, France.
authors.forename: Philippe
authors.initials: P
authors.lastname: Lacroix
authors.affiliation: INSERM UMR 1094, Tropical Neuroepidemiology, Limoges, France; Faculty of health sciences of Cotonou (Benin), Laboratory of non-communicable and neurologic diseases epidemiology, Cotonou, Benin.
authors.forename: Gbedecon Carmelle
authors.initials: GC
authors.lastname: Mizehoun
authors.affiliation: INSERM UMR 1094, Tropical Neuroepidemiology, Limoges, France; University of Limoges (France), School of Medicine, Institute of Neuroepidemiology and Tropical Neurology, CNRS FR 3503 GEIST, Limoges, France; University hospital of Limoges (France), Functional unit of Clinical Research and Biostatistics, Limoges, France.
authors.forename: Pierre-Marie
authors.initials: PM
authors.lastname: Preux
authors.affiliation: INSERM UMR 1094, Tropical Neuroepidemiology, Limoges, France; University of Limoges (France), School of Medicine, Institute of Neuroepidemiology and Tropical Neurology, CNRS FR 3503 GEIST, Limoges, France; University hospital of Limoges (France), Functional unit of Clinical Research and Biostatistics, Limoges, France.
authors.forename: Benoit
authors.initials: B
authors.lastname: Marin
authors.affiliation: INSERM UMR 1094, Tropical Neuroepidemiology, Limoges, France; Health ministry of Benin, National Non-communicable Diseases Control Program, Porto-Novo, Benin; Faculty of health sciences of Cotonou (Benin), Laboratory of non-communicable and neurologic diseases epidemiology, Cotonou, Benin.
authors.forename: Dismand Stephan
authors.initials: DS
authors.lastname: Houinato
mesh_terms: D000328:Adult; D001541:Benin / Q000453:epidemiology; D001786:Blood Glucose / Q000032:analysis; D001794:Blood Pressure; D001837:Body Weights and Measures; D002318:Cardiovascular Diseases / Q000453:epidemiology*; D003430:Cross-Sectional Studies; D003920:Diabetes Mellitus / Q000453:epidemiology; D005260:Female; D006306:Health Surveys / Q000706:statistics & numerical data*; D006801:Humans; D006973:Hypertension / Q000453:epidemiology; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D009765:Obesity / Q000453:epidemiology; D012307:Risk Factors; D012424:Rural Population / Q000706:statistics & numerical data*; D012907:Smoking / Q000453:epidemiology; D014505:Urban Population / Q000706:statistics & numerical data*
chemical_list: D001786:Blood Glucose