Abstract

Aim

We conducted a health survey to assess the prevalence of cardiovascular disease (CVD) risk factors and explore their socioeconomic correlates in a population of young and middle-aged men in the fast-growing city of Mwanza, Tanzania.

Subjects and methods

A descriptive cross-sectional epidemiological study was conducted in Mwanza City among men aged 20–50 years. Anthropometric and blood pressure measurements, dietary history, physical activity and blood samples were collected according to the basic protocol of the WHO CARDIAC Study (Cardiovascular Disease and Alimentary Comparison).

Results

The prevalence of systolic hypertension, low HDL cholesterol, elevated LDL cholesterol, obesity and hypertriglyceridemia was 23.7%, 10.3%, 9.3%, 4.1% and 1.0%, respectively. The prevalence of metabolic syndrome was 3.1%. Age correlated positively with waist circumference, waist-to-hip ratio (p < 0.01) and body mass index (p = 0.05). Education had a positive correlation with body mass index, total cholesterol, LDL cholesterol (p < 0.01), waist circumference and waist-to-hip ratio (p < 0.05). Income correlated positively with body mass index, waist circumference and total cholesterol (p = 0.05). Multiple regression analysis showed that age was the most important determinant of the body mass index (β = 0.2, p = 0.02), waist circumference (β = 0.3, p = 0.01) and waist-to-hip ratio (β = 0.2, p = 0.002), while education predicted serum LDL cholesterol (β = 1.7, p = 0.03).

Conclusion

This urban population of young and middle-aged men demonstrated a low prevalence of CVD risk factors. The challenge is to maintain this low profile of CVD risk factors in the absence of national guidelines for prevention of CVD as rapid urbanization and nutrition transition take place in urban areas, including Mwanza City.

Keywords: CVD risk factors; Socioeconomic status; Mwanza City; Tanzania