Assessment of hypercholesterolemia prevalence and its demographic variations in the Republic of Kazakhstan.

Hypercholesterolemia is a major risk factor for cardiovascular disease, the leading cause of death in Kazakhstan. Understanding its prevalence is vital for effective public health planning and interventions. This study aimed to assess the scale of hypercholesterolemia in the Republic of Kazakhstan and to identify differences among distinct population groups. A cross-sectional study involving 6720 participants (a nationally representative survey.) aged 18-69 was conducted from October 2021 to May 2022 across all 17 regions of Kazakhstan. The magnitude of hypercholesterolemia was 43.5%. Cholesterol levels were determined through blood biochemical analysis. Age, sex, geographic location, and ethnicity served as covariates. The majority of participants (65.49%) were from urban areas with an almost equal gender distribution (50.07% male and 49.93% female). The predominant age groups were 18-29 years (25.71%) and 30-39 years (25.12%), and 65.09% identified as Kazakh. The prevalence increased with age, with the 60-69 age group showing the highest rate at 71.14%. Women had slightly higher rates than men. Geographical differences were evident, with regions like Astana city and Almaty region showing significant disparities. Kazakhs had a lower rate compared to other ethnicities. Age, region, and BMI were significant predictors for hypercholesterolemia in both binary and multivariate logistic regression analyses. The study revealed a significant prevalence of hypercholesterolemia in Kazakhstan, with increasing age as a major determinant. Women, especially those over 50, and certain regions showed higher cholesterol levels. The disparities observed across regions and ethnicities suggest the need for targeted public health interventions to address this pressing health concern.

Post-conflict acute stress reactions in Kazakhstan in the aftermath of January 2022 unrests: A national survey.

Background: In January 2022 Kazakhstan experienced unprecedented nationwide protests that quickly turned to violent riots. Although the number of individuals affected physically by the disturbances were cited, the emotional toll of the events remains undetermined. The aim of this study was to evaluate the comparative rates of acute stress reactions in Kazakhstan in the aftermath of the unrests. Methods: A cross-sectional, population-based online survey was conducted one month after the start of the disturbances. The study questionnaire were completed anonymously and included the Primary Care PTSD Screen for DSM-5 (PC-PTSD-5) and the General Anxiety Disorder-7 (GAD-7), as well as socio-demographic and event exposure information. Results: Of the 7021 people who initially agreed to participate, 6510 were able to complete the full survey. For a cut-off of ≥3 on the PC-PTSD-5, 14.8 % of the study participants exhibited symptoms. With a cut-off of ≥4, this percentage reduced to 4.6 %. Participants from Almaty city and Almaty region who experienced the most extensive disturbances showed a doubled prevalence compared to the national level (30.0 % for a cut-off of ≥3, and 10.1 % for a cut-off of ≥4). At the national level, the prevalence of anxiety symptoms, defined as a score of ≥10 on the GAD-7, stood at 10.9 %. This prevalence decreased to 4.2 % when considering a cut-off of ≥15. Conclusion: Health authorities of riot-affected areas ought to be aware of the population level mental health impact of the civil conflict and consider provision of targeted interventions to mitigate the long-term consequence of these lifespan disorders, while also seeking for the peaceful resolution of the ensuing conflicts.

Study of seroprevalence of SARS-CoV-2 in Kazakhstan.

This study aimed to analyse the seroprevalence of SARS-CoV-2 in Kazakhstan. This is a cross-sectional study of adult population in Kazakhstan for the period from October 2021 to May 2022. For the study, 6 720 people aged 18 to 69 were recruited (from 17 regions). The demographic data were collected and analysed. Gender was evenly distributed (males 49.9%, females 50.1%). Women exhibited a higher seroprevalence than men (IgM 20.7% vs 17.9% and IgG 46.1% vs 41.5%). The highest prevalence of IgM was found in the age group of 30-39. However, the highest prevalence of IgG was detected in the age group of 60-69. The seroprevalence of IgG increased across all groups (from 39.7% in 18-29 age groups to 53.1% in 60-69 age groups). The odds for a positive test were significantly increased in older age groups 50-59 (p < 0.0001) and 60-69 (p < 0.0001). The odds of a positive test were 1.12 times higher in females compared to males (p = 0.0294). The odds for a positive test were significantly higher in eight regions (Astana, Akmola, Atyrau, Western Kazakhstan region, Kostanai, Turkestan, Eastern Kazakhstan region, and Shymkent) compared to Almaty city. The odds of a positive test were three times higher in Astana and the Western Kazakhstan region than in Almaty city. In urban areas, the odds of a positive test were 0.75 times lower than in rural areas (p < 0.0001). The study's results showed an adequate level of seroprevalence (63%) that exceeds the essential minimum of herd immunity indicators in the country. There was significant geographic variability with a higher prevalence of IgG/IgM antibodies to SARS-CoV-2 in rural areas.

Neuropsychological Assessment of Community-Dwelling Older Adults in Almaty, Kazakhstan.

Cognitive impairment in older adults is a major public concern for Kazakhstan's aging population. We aimed to (1) administer a neuropsychological test battery (NTB) in domains relevant to aging-associated cognitive impairment in a sample of adults aged 60+ without dementia in Almaty, Kazakhstan; (2) investigate the associations between demographic factors and test performance; and (3) provide information on the distribution of NTB scores as preliminary local normative data relevant for this population. A cross-sectional evaluation of 276 participants aged 60+ in Almaty, Kazakhstan, was conducted using cognitive instruments including tests of memory, attention, language, executive functions, visuospatial abilities, and processing speed. Multiple linear regression analyses were used to examine the association of demographic factors with neuropsychological test performance. The results from the regression analysis showed that those who are younger, have more years of education, are women, and are of Russian ethnicity had significantly better performance. The current study illustrated (1) the feasibility of administering the NTB to older adults in the general population in Kazakhstan; (2) the preliminary local normative neuropsychological measures; and (3) their independent associations with age, education, gender, and ethnicity. The findings are a platform for future research on dementia and cognitive impairment in older adults in Kazakhstan.