title: Socioeconomic Impact on the Prevalence of Cardiovascular Risk Factors in Wallonia, Belgium: A Population-Based Study.
abstract: Background. Monitoring the epidemiology of cardiovascular risk factors (CRFs) and their determinants is important to develop appropriate recommendations to prevent cardiovascular diseases in specific risk groups. The NESCaV study was designed to collect standardized data to estimate the prevalence of CRFs in relation to socioeconomic parameters among the general adult population in the province of Liège, Wallonia, Belgium. Methods. A representative stratified random sample of 1017 subjects, aged 20-69 years, participated in the NESCaV study (2010-2012). A self-administered questionnaire, a clinical examination, and laboratory tests were performed on participants. CRFs included hypertension, dyslipidemia, global obesity, abdominal obesity, diabetes, current smoking, and physical inactivity. Covariates were education and subjective and objective socioeconomic levels. Data were analyzed by weighted logistic regression. Results. The prevalence of hypertension, abdominal obesity, global obesity, current smoking, and physical inactivity was higher in subjects with low education and who considered themselves "financially in need." Living below poverty threshold also increased the risk of global and abdominal obesity, current smoking, and physical inactivity. Conclusion. The study shows that socioeconomic factors impact the prevalence of CRFs in the adult population of Wallonia. Current public health policies should be adjusted to reduce health inequalities in specific risk groups.
authors.affiliation: Department of Public Health, University of Liège, 4000 Liège, Belgium.
authors.forename: Sylvie
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Streel
authors.affiliation: Department of Public Health, University of Liège, 4000 Liège, Belgium.
authors.forename: Anne-Françoise
authors.initials: AF
authors.lastname: Donneau
authors.affiliation: Department of Public Health, University of Liège, 4000 Liège, Belgium.
authors.forename: Axelle
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Hoge
authors.affiliation: Department of Public Health, University of Liège, 4000 Liège, Belgium.
authors.forename: Sven
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Majerus
authors.affiliation: Department of Health Economics Information, University Hospital of Liège, 4000 Liège, Belgium.
authors.forename: Philippe
authors.initials: P
authors.lastname: Kolh
authors.affiliation: Department of Laboratory Medicine, University Hospital of Liège, 4000 Liège, Belgium.
authors.forename: Jean-Paul
authors.initials: JP
authors.lastname: Chapelle
authors.affiliation: Department of Public Health, University of Liège, 4000 Liège, Belgium.
authors.forename: Adelin
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Albert
authors.affiliation: Department of Public Health, University of Liège, 4000 Liège, Belgium.
authors.forename: Michèle
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Guillaume
mesh_terms: D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D001530:Belgium; D002318:Cardiovascular Diseases / Q000453:epidemiology* / Q000473:pathology; D003920:Diabetes Mellitus / Q000453:epidemiology* / Q000473:pathology; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D006973:Hypertension / Q000453:epidemiology* / Q000473:pathology; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D009043:Motor Activity; D009765:Obesity / Q000453:epidemiology* / Q000473:pathology; D012307:Risk Factors; D012959:Socioeconomic Factors