Increased prevalence of obesity, diabetes mellitus and hypertension with associated risk factors in a mine-based workforce, Democratic Republic of Congo.

INTRODUCTION: The burden of non-communicable diseases (NCDs) is increasing rapidly in low- and middle-income countries, with the largest portion occurring in Africa. Results from earlier baseline measures on obesity, diabetes and hypertension (ODH) in the Tenke Fungurume Mining (TFM) workforce in 2010 showed high proportions of overweight, pre-diabetic and pre-hypertensive individuals, predicting an upward trend in the burden of ODH over time. The 2010-2015 longitudinal trends on ODH and related risk factors among the TFM workforce is presented herein, and projects the consequent burden of these diseases on the workforce by 2025 if an effective prevention program is not implemented. METHODS: A longitudinal, retrospective cohort study with 3-time intervals was conducted using occupational health records collected on all employees and contractors who had a pre-employment or follow up medical checkups covering the period between January 2010 and December 2015. Repeated paired t tests measured changes in mean values of quantitative risk factors, while a chi-square test assessed changes in prevalence and categorical risk factors over time. A linear projection model was used to predict the consequent morbidity of ODH for the subsequent 10 years up to 2025. RESULTS: Between 2010 and 2015, prevalence increased from 4.5% to 11.1% for obesity, 11.9% to 15.6% for diabetes, and 18.2% to 26.5% for hypertension. By 2025, provided no prevention program is implemented, prevalence is predicted to reach 25%, 24% and 42% respectively for obesity, diabetes and hypertension. CONCLUSION: Without implementation of a comprehensive NCD prevention plan, the burden of ODH and other NCDs is predicted to increase dramatically in the TFM workforce. Alone or combined, NCDs have the potential to dramatically increase operational costs while decreasing productivity over time.

Prevalence of obesity, diabetes mellitus, hypertension and associated risk factors in a mining workforce, Democratic Republic of Congo.

INTRODUCTION: The burden of non-communicable diseases (NCDs) is increasing in low and middle-income countries (LMIC). According to the World Health Organization (WHO) the largest increase occurs in Africa. Obesity, diabetes mellitus and hypertension (ODH) are major risk factors for cardiovascular diseases, causing nearly 18 million deaths worldwide. Various risks associated with mining as an occupational activity are implicated in NCDs' occurrence. This study describes the baseline prevalence of ODH and associated risk factors in the workforce of Tenke Fungurume Mining (TFM), in southern Democratic Republic of Congo. METHODS: A cross-sectional study was conducted on a sample of 2,749 employees' and contractor's occupational health examination files for 2010. Socio-demographic, occupational, medical, anthropometric and behavioral characteristics were collected and assessed. Disease status regards ODH was based on WHO criteria. A multivariate logistic regression model was used. RESULTS: Overall prevalence of ODH was 4.5%, 11.7%, and 18.2% respectively. Proportions of pre-ODH individuals were 19.7%, 16.5%, and 47.8% respectively. Prevalence of ODH increased with age, professional grade, nature of work, gender and reported alcohol use. Smoking 10 or more cigarettes per day increased risk of diabetes and hypertension, while decreasing obesity. CONCLUSION: Rates of ODH and associated risk factors are higher in the TFM workforce, than in the general DRC population. This is likely reflective of other mining sites in the country and region. It is evident that ODH are associated with various socio-demographic, occupational, anthropometric, biomedical and behavioral risk factors. A NCD prevention program and close monitoring of disease and risk factors trends are needed in this population.