Stroke-Risk Factors Differ Between Rural and Urban Communities: Population Survey in Central Uganda
Date
2015-05-07
Journal Title
Journal ISSN
Volume Title
Publisher
KARGER , ALLSCHWILERSTRASSE 10, BASEL, SWITZERLAND, CH-4009
Abstract
Background: Socioeconomic transition is changing stroke risk factors in Sub-Saharan Africa. This study assessed stroke risk factors and their associated characteristics in urban and rural Uganda. Methods: We surveyed 5,420 urban and rural participants and assessed the stroke-risk factor prevalence and socio-behavioural characteristics associated with risk factors.
Results: Rural participants were older with higher proportions of men and fewer poor compared to urban areas. The most prevalent modifiable stroke-risk factors in all areas were hypertension (27.1% rural and 22.4% urban, p = 0.004), overweight and obesity (22.0% rural and 42% urban, p < 0.0001), and elevated waist hip ratio (25.8% rural and 24.1% urban, p = 0.045). Diabetes, smoking, physical inactivity, harmful alcohol consumption were found in ≤ 5%. Age, family history of hypertension, and waist hip ratio were associated with hypertension in all, while BMI, HIV were associated with hypertension only in urban dwellers. Sex and family history of hypertension were associated with BMI in while age, socio-economic status and diabetes were associated with BMI only in urban dwellers. Conclusions: The prevalence of stroke-risk factors of diabetes, smoking, inactivity
and harmful alcohol consumption was rare in Uganda. Rural dwellers belonging to a higher age group tended to be with
hypertension and elevated waist hip ratio. Unlike high-income countries, higher socioeconomic status was associated with overweight and obesity
Description
Keywords
Risk factors, Rural, Urban, Stroke, Uganda
Citation
Nakibuuka, J., Sajatovic, M., Nankabirwa, J., Furlan, A.J., Kayima, J., Ddumba, E., Katabira, E. and Byakika-Tusiime, J., 2015. Stroke-risk factors differ between rural and urban communities: population survey in Central Uganda. Neuroepidemiology, 44(3), pp.156-165.