Cardiovascular risk factors in Sub-Saharan African women.

Background: Cardiovascular risk factors (CVRF) are associated with major cause of death and disability in Sub-Saharan Africa, especially in women. The contribution of obstetrical, psychological, and socio-economic factors in CVRF are not yet well described in Africa. We aimed to compare the prevalence of CVRF between men and women, and to determine the factors associated to these sex-related differences. Patients and methods: A cross-sectional study was conducted on the 2019 data of the TAHES cohort in a geographically defined general population in Benin. A standardized questionnaire adapted from the World Health Organization (WHO) STEPS instrument was used to collect data. Univariate and multivariate analysis has been performed to determine CVRF differences in both sexes. Women-specific logistic regressions have been performed on CVRF previously identified as positively associated to female sex, to assess their association with socio-economic, psychological, and obstetrical factors. Results: We included 1583 patients, with a median age of 39 years [range: 32-53 years]. Prevalence of diabetes (1.2% vs. 3.4%, p=0.0042), abnormal kidney function (15.5% vs. 8.4%, p=0.0002), obesity (12.5% vs. 4.1%, p<0.0001), tobacco-smoking (3.4% vs. 14.1%, p<0.0001) and reduced physical activity (69.9% vs. 50.7%, p<0.0001) differed significantly between women and men, respectively. In multivariate analysis, female sex was independently and significantly associated with obesity, anxiety, depression and reduced physical activity. Number of pregnancies was associated with a reduced physical activity. Hypertension was associated with gestational hypertension. Conclusions: Obesity and reduced physical activity are significantly and independently more frequent in Beninese women than the male counterparts. Hypertension prevalence in Benin is alarming in both sexes. Targeted prevention strategies against obesity, gestational hypertension and sedentary lifestyle are advocated in African women.

Prevalence of abnormal kidney function in a rural population of Benin and associated risk factors.

BACKGROUND: The global burden of kidney disease has increased in recent years worldwide. Risk factors for kidney disease are common in Africa, but data on their prevalence are lacking. This study aims to determine the prevalence of abnormal kidney function and associated factors among participants included in the TAnve HEalth Study (TAHES) cohort in Benin. METHODS: This was a cross-sectional study nested within the TAHES cohort. It was carried out in 2019, among TAHES participants aged 25 years and above, living in Tanvè and Dékanmè, two villages located in southwestern Benin. Data on risk factors were collected using the World Health Organization's STEPS questionnaire. Anthropometric measurements and capillary creatinine measurements were performed. Abnormal kidney function was defined as a low glomerular filtration rate (< 60 mL/min/1.73 m2). RESULTS: Creatinine was measured among 1360 out of the 1583 participants in the cohort in 2019. The median age was 39 [32-53]. The prevalence of abnormal kidney function was 16.10%; 95%CI = [14.15-18.05]. The results of the multivariate logistic regression showed that the probability of abnormal kidney function increased significantly with age (adjusted OR (aOR) = 2.75; 95%CI = [1.83-4.14]), female gender (aOR = 2; 95%CI = [1.37-2.91]), hypertension (aOR = 1.54; 95%CI = [1.12-2.13]), high body mass index (aOR = 1, 56; 95%CI = [1.12-2.17]) and hyperglycemia (aOR = 2.86; 95%CI = [1.68-4.88]). CONCLUSION: The prevalence of abnormal kidney function was high. These data should guide national authorities and help to raise community awareness of the benefits of early detection of this condition.