[Hypertension in the adult Congolese population of Southern Kivu: Results of the Vitaraa Study]

Abstract

Objective: To assess the prevalence of cardiovascular risk factors in adult urban and rural Congolese subjects.

Methods: We obtained anthropometric data and information on life habits and medical history in 699 people ≥ 20 years, 444 in an urban, 255 in a rural setting. We determined the body mass index and recorded two blood pressure measurements that were averaged for analysis. Hypertension was BP ≥ 140/90mmHg, awareness and/or use of antihypertensive treatment. Diabetes mellitus was self-reported diagnosis or a casual glycemia ≥ 200mg/dL. We assessed the probability of hypertension in stepwise multiple logistic analysis, and awareness, and control of hypertension.

Results: We found higher (P<0.001) prevalence in the urban than the rural subjects for hypertension (41.4% vs 38.1%), diabetes (4.9% vs 3.2%), overweight/obesity (37.6% vs 16.5%), abdominal obesity (30.9% vs 12.9%), use of alcohol (45% vs 17.6%) and smoking (11.6% vs 1.2%). Hypertension was associated (P<0.05) to aging in 51.3%, overweight/obesity in 54.5%, diabetes in 69%, abdominal obesity in 63.8%, low physical activity in 42.4%, to stress in urban environment in 43.2% and professional position (executives: 53.2%, workers: 38.6%). Of these hypertensive subjects, 57.5% were unaware, 30.5% were treated, with control achieved in only 13.6% (17.4% women vs 6.9% men; P<0.01). In the logistic model, the probability of hypertension increased with age (OR for age>55 years: 2.35; P<0.001), overweight/obesity (2.22; P<0.001) and diabetes mellitus (2.67; P<0.05).

Conclusions: Our results indicate a heavy burden of uncontrolled risk factors in the Congolese population the potential complications of which run at a high mortality rate. They highlight the need for reasonable prevention measures at the population level.