Prevalence of dyslipidaemia and associated risk factors in a rural population in south-western Uganda : a community based survey

BACKGROUND: The burden of dyslipidaemia is rising in many low income countries. However, there are few data on the prevalence of, or risk factors for, dyslipidaemia in Africa. METHODS: In 2011, we used the WHO Stepwise approach to collect cardiovascular risk data within a general population cohort in rural south-western Uganda. Dyslipidaemia was defined by high total cholesterol (TC) ≥ 5.2 mmol/L or low high density lipoprotein cholesterol (HDL-C) 6% (men aOR=3.00, 95%CI=1.37-6.59; women aOR=2.74, 95%CI=1.77-4.27). The odds of high TC was also higher among married men, and women with higher education or high BMI. CONCLUSION: Low HDL-C prevalence in this relatively young rural population is high whereas high TC prevalence is low. The consequences of dyslipidaemia in African populations remain unclear and prospective follow-up is required

Preventable risk factors for coronary heart disease and stroke amongst ethnic groups in London

Objectives. People of African Caribbean descent have higher mortality rates from stroke than other ethnic groups. However, little is known about the prevalence of stroke risk factors in UK ethnic minority groups. We investigated the prevalence of these risk factors amongst African Caribbeans, black Africans and whites. Design. A random sample of patients aged 45-74 registered with 16 general practices in south London was surveyed in 1995. Main outcome measures were: prevalence of hypertension, mean serum cholesterol, serum fibrinogen and glycosylated haemoglobin A1C. Logistic and linear regressions were used to determine ethnic differences in these measures. Results. Hypertension was more prevalent in black Caribbeans (79.4%) and black Africans (71.6%) than in whites (54.3%) ( p < 0.0001). There were ethnic group differences in mean random total cholesterol ( p < 0.0001), triglycerides ( p < 0.0001), fibrinogen ( p = 0.03), HDL ( p = 0.02) and HbA1C ( p < 0.0001). Whites had higher mean random total cholesterol, triglycerides and fibrinogen than black Caribbeans but lower HDL and HbA1C. Black Africans had similar rates to black Caribbeans for these risk factors apart from lower triglyceride levels. Conclusion. These differences in risk factors may partially explain the high stroke mortality rates in black Caribbeans and black Africans compared to whites. There was little difference in prevalence of these risk factors between black Caribbean and black African groups. Specific strategies targeted to each ethnic group need to be developed to reduce risk factors

Ethnic differences in behavioural risk factors for stroke: implications for health promotion

Objectives. Ethnic minority groups are at a higher risk of stroke and heart disease. However, designing effective prevention strategies requires responding to the needs of different ethnic groups. The aims of this study were to estimate the prevalence of four behavioural risk factors (smoking, drinking, exercise and weight) for stroke among Black Caribbeans, Black Africans and Whites, and also to examined reported willingness to change these behaviours. Design. A random sample of 311 Black Caribbean, 300 White, and 105 Black Africans aged 45-74 registered with 16 practices in south London were surveyed in 1995. Information was obtained on smoking, drinking and exercise patterns, body mass index and perceptions of being at risk of stroke, and willingness to change risk behaviour. Results. White respondents (31% age and sex standardised prevalence) were more likely to smoke than Black Caribbeans (23%) and Black Africans (10%) (p < 0.001). Self-reported rates of drinking were higher than the government's 'sensible drinking levels' for 19% of Whites, 11% of Black Caribbeans and 4% Black Africans (p < 0.001). In contrast, fewer Whites (51%) were overweight (BMI > 27) than Black Caribbeans (60%) and Black Africans (68%) (p = 0.001). A high proportion of smokers wished to give up (89% Black African; 83% Black Caribbean; 74% White). A higher proportion of Black Caribbeans (35%) reported a willingness to reduce their alcohol intake compared to only 15% of Whites (p = 0.040). There was a difference between groups in attitudes to weight reduction with 69% Black Caribbean women expressing a desire to be thinner compared to 86% Whites and 82% Black Africans (p = 0.051). Conclusion. Strategies to reduce behavioural risk factors for heart attack and stroke need to emphasise different risk factors among ethnic groups, especially in relation to alcohol use in the White population and weight in the Black Caribbean population. Influencing the change of these behaviours requires working in partnership with local community groups

Ethnicity and cardiovascular disease prevention in the United Kingdom : a practical approach to management

The United Kingdom is a diverse society with 7.9% of the population from black and minority ethnic groups (BMEGs). The causes of the excess cardiovascular disease (CVD) and stroke morbidity and mortality in BMEGs are incompletely understood though socio-economic factors are important. However, the role of classical cardiovascular (CV) risk factors is clearly important despite the patterns of these risk factors varying significantly by ethnic group. Despite the major burden of CVD and stroke among BMEGs in the UK, the majority of the evidence on the management of such conditions has been based on predominantly white European populations. Moreover, the CV epidemiology of African Americans does not represent well the morbidity and mortality experience seen in black Africans and black Caribbeans, both in Britain and in their native African countries. In particular, atherosclerotic disease and coronary heart disease are still relatively rare in the latter groups. This is unlike the South Asian diaspora, who have prevalence rates of CVD in epidemic proportions both in the diaspora and on the subcontinent. As the BMEGs have been under-represented in research, a multitude of guidelines exists for the 'general population.' However, specific reference and recommendation on primary and secondary prevention guidelines in relation to ethnic groups is extremely limited. This document provides an overview of ethnicity and CVD in the United Kingdom, with management recommendations based on a roundtable discussion of a multidisciplinary ethnicity and CVD consensus group, all of whom have an academic interest and clinical practice in a multiethnic community