CARDIOVASCULAR JOURNAL OF AFRICA • Vol 24, No 5, June 2013
180
AFRICA
Prevalence and determinants of hypertension and
associated cardiovascular risk factors: data from a
population-based, cross-sectional survey in Saint Louis,
Senegal
SOULEMANE PESSINABA, ALASSANE MBAYE, GRÂCE-À-DIEU YABETA, ADAMA KANE,
CHEIKH TIDIANE NDAO, MOUHAMADOU BAMBA NDIAYE, HABIBOU HAROUNA, MALICK BODIAN,
MABOURY DIAO, MAÏMOUNA NDOUR MBAYE, DIOR DIAGNE, BOUNA DIACK, MOUSSA KANE,
KHADIM NIANG, JEAN-BAPTISTE SY MATHIEU, ABDOUL KANE
Abstract
Background:
The incidence of cardiovascular disease is grow-
ing worldwide and this is of major public health concern. In
sub-SaharanAfrica, there is a lack of epidemiological data on
the prevalence and distribution of risk factors of cardiovas-
cular disease. This study aimed at assessing the prevalence of
hypertension and other cardiovascular risk factors among an
urban Senegalese population.
Methods
: Using an adaptation of the WHO STEPwise
approach to chronic disease risk-factor surveillance, we
conducted a population-based, cross-sectional survey from
3 to 30 May 2010 on 1 424 participants aged over 15
years. Socio-demographic and behavioural risk factors were
collected in step 1. Physical anthropometric measurements
and blood pressure were documented in step 2. Blood tests
(cholesterol, fasting blood glucose, and creatinine levels) were
carried out in step 3.
Results
: The prevalence of hypertension was 46% (95% CI:
43.4–48%), with a higher prevalence in females (47.9%) than
males (41.7%) (
p
=
0.015), and 50% of these hypertensive
were previously undiagnosed. Mean age was 53.6 years (SD:
15.8). In known cases of hypertension, the average length
of its evolution was 6 years 9 months (range 1 month to 60
years). Hypertension was significantly associated with age (
p
=
0.001), socio-professional category (
p
=
0.003), dyslipidae-
mia (
p
<
0.001), obesity (
p
<
0.001), physical inactivity (
p
<
0.001), diabetes (
p
<
0.001) and stroke (
p
<
0.001).
Conclusion
:We found a high prevalence of hypertension and
other cardiovascular risk factors in this population. There
is need of a specific programme for the management and
prevention of cardiovascular disease in this population.
Keywords:
hypertension, cardiovascular, Africa, risk factors,
Senegal
Submitted 2/11/11, accepted 18/4/13
Cardiovasc J Afr
2013;
24
: 180–183
DOI: 10.5830/CVJA-2013-030
Hypertension (HTN) remains a major public health concern
worldwide and particularly in sub-Saharan Africa.
1-3
The overall
prevalence of HTN worldwide is estimated to be 30% and the
attributable mortality is ~30%. Lawes
et al
. reported that overall,
about 80% of the attributable burden occurred in low- and
middle-income economies, and over half occurred in people
aged 45–69 years.
4
In sub-Saharan Africa, the prevalence of HTN is estimated
to vary between 15 and 33%.
1
HTN is usually associated with
other cardiovascular risk factors such as diabetes, dyslipidaemia
and obesity.
5
In Senegal, there is a lack of population-based
epidemiological data on HTN and cardiovascular risk factors.
Our study aimed at assessing the prevalence and deteminants of
HTN and associated cardiovascular risk factors among an urban
population in Senegal (Saint Louis).
Methods
This study was a population-based, cross-sectional survey
conducted in the city of Saint Louis (north Senegal, 250 km from
the capital Dakar). It population is 190 000 inhabitants (2008
estimate) and the number of subjects over 15 years is estimated
at 110 000.
Data were collected in three steps;
6
step 1 comprised using
a questionnaire to collect demographic and lifestyle data; step
2 involved measurements of height, weight, blood pressure,
waist and hip circumference; and step 3 included laboratory
Cardiology Department, Grand Yoff Hospital, Dakar, Senegal
SOULEMANE PESSINABA, MD,
ALASSANE MBAYE, MD
GRÂCE-À-DIEU YABETA, MD
CHEIKH TIDIANE NDAO, MD
HABIBOU HAROUNA, MD
DIOR DIAGNE, MD
BOUNA DIACK, MD
MOUSSA KANE, MD
ABDOUL KANE, MD
Cardiology Department, Aristide Le Dantec Hospital, Dakar,
Senegal
ADAMA KANE, MD
MOUHAMADOU BAMBA NDIAYE, MD
MALICK BODIAN, MD
MABOURY DIAO, MD
Internal Medicine Department, Abass NDAO Hospital, Dakar,
Senegal
MAÏMOUNA NDOUR MBAYE, MD
Department of Public Health, Chiekh Anta Diop University,
Dakar, Senegal
KHADIM NIANG, MD
Cardiology Department, Saint Louis Hospital, Dakar, Senegal
JEAN-BAPTISTE SY MATHIEU, MD
