Prevalence of cardiovascular risk factors in an urban area of Togo: a WHO STEPS-wise approach in Lome, Togo

• Published in: Cardiovascular Journal Of Africa Vol. 23; no. 6; pp. 309 - 312
• Main Authors: Baragou, S, Djibril, M, Atta, B, Damorou, F, Pio, M, Balogou, A
• Format: Journal Article
• Language: English
• Published: South Africa Clinics Cardive Publishing 01.07.2012
• Subjects: Adolescent; Adult; Age Distribution; Age Factors; Aged; Aged, 80 and over; Alcohol Drinking - epidemiology; Biomarkers - blood; Blood Pressure; Cardiovascular Diseases - blood; Cardiovascular Diseases - diagnosis; Cardiovascular Diseases - epidemiology; Cardiovascular Diseases - physiopathology; Cardiovascular Topics; Chi-Square Distribution; Cross-Sectional Studies; Diabetes Mellitus - epidemiology; Female; Health Surveys; Humans; Hypercholesterolemia - blood; Hypercholesterolemia - epidemiology; Hypertension - diagnosis; Hypertension - epidemiology; Hypertension - physiopathology; Lipids - blood; Male; Middle Aged; Obesity - epidemiology; Prevalence; Prospective Studies; Risk Assessment; Risk Factors; Sedentary Lifestyle; Sex Distribution; Sex Factors; Smoking - epidemiology; Stress, Psychological - epidemiology; Togo - epidemiology; Urban Health - statistics & numerical data; Young Adult; Togo
• ISSN: 1995-1892; 1680-0745
• DOI: 10.5830/CVJA-2011-071

To determine the prevalence of hypertension and other cardiovascular risk factors in the general adult population of Lome. A cross-sectional household survey was conducted in Lome from October 2009 to January 2010, which focused on hypertension and other cardiovascular risk factors in 2 000 subjects 18 years and older. The World Health Organisation's STEPS-wise approach on non-communicable diseases was used. During the first session, blood pressure (BP) was measured on three successive occasions, one minute apart, and the mean was recorded. A second measurement session was done three weeks later in patients with BP ≥ 140/90 mmHg during the first session. Hypertension was defined as BP > 140/90 mmHg after the second session, or on antihypertensive treatment. The other risk factors were studied by clinical and blood analysis. We found 532 hypertensive patients out of a total of 2 000 subjects. The prevalence of hypertension was 26.6%. The mean age of hypertensive patients was 45 ± 10 years, ranging from 18 to 98 years. The prevalence of other cardiovascular risk factors was: stress (43%), sedentary lifestyle (41%), hypercholesterolaemia (26%), obesity (25.2%), hypertriglyceridaemia (21%), smoking (9.3%), alcohol use (11%) and diabetes (7.3%). The prevalence of hypertension and other cardiovascular risk factors in the population of Lome is high. These findings should draw the attention of authorities to define a national policy to combat hypertension and other cardiovascular risk factors.