Key result
Low socioeconomic status, including low education and living below the poverty threshold, was associated with a higher prevalence of hypertension, obesity, smoking, and physical inactivity.
Cross-Sectional (n=1,017)
Lower socioeconomic status is associated with a higher prevalence of multiple cardiovascular risk factors in the adult population of Wallonia, Belgium.
CRFs more prevalent in low-education groups; leaves open whether targeted interventions reduce disparities in Wallonia.
Background. Monitoring the epidemiology of cardiovascular risk factors (CRFs) and their determinants is important to develop appropriate recommendations to prevent cardiovascular diseases in specific risk groups. The NESCaV study was designed to collect standardized data to estimate the prevalence of CRFs in relation to socioeconomic parameters among the general adult population in the province of Liège, Wallonia, Belgium. Methods. A representative stratified random sample of 1017 subjects, aged 20-69 years, participated in the NESCaV study (2010-2012). A self-administered questionnaire, a clinical examination, and laboratory tests were performed on participants. CRFs included hypertension, dyslipidemia, global obesity, abdominal obesity, diabetes, current smoking, and physical inactivity. Covariates were education and subjective and objective socioeconomic levels. Data were analyzed by weighted logistic regression. Results. The prevalence of hypertension, abdominal obesity, global obesity, current smoking, and physical inactivity was higher in subjects with low education and who considered themselves "financially in need." Living below poverty threshold also increased the risk of global and abdominal obesity, current smoking, and physical inactivity. Conclusion. The study shows that socioeconomic factors impact the prevalence of CRFs in the adult population of Wallonia. Current public health policies should be adjusted to reduce health inequalities in specific risk groups.
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Streel et al. (2015) conducted a cross-sectional in Cardiovascular risk factors (n=1,017). Low socioeconomic status vs. Higher socioeconomic status was evaluated on Prevalence of cardiovascular risk factors. Low socioeconomic status, including low education and living below the poverty threshold, was associated with a higher prevalence of hypertension, obesity, smoking, and physical inactivity.
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