Can Urbanization, Social and Spatial Disparities Help to Understand the Rise of Cardiometabolic Risk Factors in Bobo-Dioulasso? A Study in a Secondary City of Burkina Faso, West Africa

Int J Environ Res Public Health. 2017 Apr 4;14(4):378. doi: 10.3390/ijerph14040378.

Abstract

Background: Unplanned urbanization plays a key role in chronic disease growth. This population-based cross-sectional study assessed the occurrence of cardiometabolic risk factors in Bobo-Dioulasso and their association with urbanization conditions. Methods: Through spatial sampling, four Bobo-Dioulasso sub-spaces were selected for a population survey to measure the adult health status. Yéguéré, Dogona, Tounouma and Secteur 25 had very different urbanization conditions (position within the city; time of creation and healthcare structure access). The sample size was estimated at 1000 households (250 for each sub-space) in which one adult (35 to 59-year-old) was randomly selected. Finally, 860 adults were surveyed. Anthropometric, socioeconomic and clinical data were collected. Arterial blood pressure was measured and blood samples were collected to assess glycemia. Results: Weight, body mass index and waist circumference (mean values) and serum glycemia (83.4 mg/dL ± 4.62 mmol/L) were significantly higher in Tounouma, Dogona, and Secteur 25 than in Yéguéré; the poorest and most rural-like sub-space (p = 0.001). Overall, 43.2%, 40.5%, 5.3% and 60.9% of participants had overweight, hypertension, hyperglycemia and one or more cardiometabolic risk markers, respectively. Conclusions: Bobo-Dioulasso is unprepared to face this public health issue and urgent responses are needed to reduce the health risks associated with unplanned urbanization.

Keywords: Bobo-Dioulasso; chronic diseases; health disparities; medium-sized city; spatial sampling; urbanization.

MeSH terms

  • Adult
  • Burkina Faso / epidemiology
  • Cross-Sectional Studies
  • Female
  • Humans
  • Hyperglycemia / epidemiology*
  • Hyperglycemia / etiology*
  • Hypertension / epidemiology*
  • Hypertension / etiology*
  • Male
  • Middle Aged
  • Risk Factors
  • Socioeconomic Factors
  • Urbanization*