Prevalence of self-reported diabetes, hypertension and heart disease in individuals seeking State funding in Trinidad and Tobago, West Indies

• Published in: Journal of epidemiology and global health Vol. 3; no. 2; pp. 95 - 103
• Main Authors: Chadee, Derek, Seemungal, Terence, Pinto Pereira, Lexley M, Chadee, Mary, Maharaj, Rohan, Teelucksingh, Surujpal
• Format: Journal Article
• Language: English
• Published: Dordrecht Elsevier Ltd 2013; Springer Netherlands; Atlantis Press; Springer
• Subjects: Adolescent; Adult; Age; Aged; Diabetes; Diabetes Mellitus - epidemiology; Education; Female; Financing, Government; Gender specificity; Heart disease; Heart Diseases - epidemiology; Humans; Hypertension; Hypertension - epidemiology; Internal Medicine; Male; Middle Aged; Prevalence; Research Article; Self Report; Trinidad and Tobago - epidemiology; Trinidad and Tobago; Hypertension; Diabetes; Education; Gender specificity; Heart disease; Age
• ISSN: 2210-6006; 2210-6014; 2210-6006
• DOI: 10.1016/j.jegh.2013.02.002

Abstract Objective Diabetes, hypertension and heart disease inflict a heavy health burden on the Caribbean Republic of Trinidad and Tobago. This study assessed the prevalence of self- reported diabetes, hypertension and heart disease in lower socioeconomically placed individuals accessing welfare grants. Method Data collected between July 2008 and June 2009 were analyzed from 14,793 responses. The survey sought information on education, average monthly income, health, housing, and household facilities. Results Self-reported disease prevalence was 19.5% (95% CI: 18.9–20.2) for diabetes mellitus; 30.2% (95% CI: 29.5–30.9) for hypertension; and 8.2% (95% CI: 7.7–8.6) for cardiac disease. Diabetes and cardiac disease had equivalent gender frequency; hypertension was more prevalent in women ( p < .001). Disease prevalence was highest in Indo-Trinidadians, married and divorced subjects, non-Christians and increased with age. Those with primary education alone were at greatest risk. Conclusion Trinidad and Tobago have a high prevalence of hypertension, diabetes and heart disease. Hypertension showed gender specificity in women. Prevalence was highest in Indo-Trinidadians, increased with age, and primary education alone was a risk factor. Interventions to arrest the high prevalence of chronic non-communicable diseases to promote wellness are needed in Trinidad and Tobago.