Key result
Abnormal waist circumference is linked to ~6-fold higher odds of hypertension in university students.
Why the study?
Cardiovascular diseases are leading causes of death in low-and-middle income countries, but the prevalence of hypertension and CVD risk factors among young adults in Côte d'Ivoire was not well characterized.
Does abnormal waist circumference increase the risk of hypertension in young university students?
Cross-Sectional (n=2,030)
No
Does abnormal waist circumference increase the risk of hypertension in young university students?
Odds Ratio: 6.24 (95% CI 1.99–19.51)
Absolute Event Rate: 28% vs 5.7%
p-value: p=0.002
This study highlights a notable 6.0% prevalence of hypertension among young adults in Côte d'Ivoire, heavily driven by modifiable lifestyle factors such as abnormal waist circumference, obesity, and tobacco use.
May warrant waist screening in university health checks; hypothesis-generating for hypertension risk in young adults.
BACKGROUND: Cardiovascular diseases (CVD) are the leading causes of death in the world, mainly occurring in low-and-middle income countries. The aim of this study was to estimate the prevalence of hypertension and other cardiovascular risk factors among university students at a National Polytechnic Institute in Côte d'Ivoire. METHODS: A cross-sectional study was conducted among students of the National Polytechnic Institute of Côte d'Ivoire. Sample was selected using a non-probabilistic convenient sampling method. Anthropometric measurements, blood pressure and capillary blood glucose were measured. A logistic regression model allowed to determine factors associated with hypertension. RESULTS: A total of 2,030 students, 79.7% males and 20.3% females, with a median age of 20 years (IQR = [19-22]) participated in the study. On hypertension knowledge, 96.9% (n = 1,968) of students reported having heard of hypertension; salty foods were reported by more than a third as a cause of hypertension (n = 734; 37.3%), while 114 (5.8%) and 157 (8.0%) selected tobacco and alcohol as causes of hypertension, respectively. The overall prevalence of hypertension was 6.0%, higher in males (6.8%) compared to females (2.7%) (p < 0.001). As for CVD risk factors, 148 (7.3%) were overweight or obese; 44.0% of males and 36.6% of females reported alcohol consumption. In multivariate analysis, being a female (OR = 4.16; CI 95% = [1.96-9.09]; p<0.001), being 25 years old and older (OR = 3.34; CI 95% = [2.01-5.55]; p = 0.001), tobacco use (OR = 2.65; CI 95% = [1.41-4.96]; p = 0.002), being overweight or obese (OR = 3.75; CI 95% = [2.13-6.59]; p<0,001) and having abnormal waist circumference (OR = 6.24; CI 95% = [1.99-19.51]; p = 0.002) were significantly associated with high blood pressure. CONCLUSION: CVD risk factors are prominent among young adults in Côte d'Ivoire. Appropriate behavioural health interventions promoting a healthy lifestyle for young adults should be urgently implemented for CVD burden reduction.
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Zobo et al. (2023) conducted a cross-sectional in Hypertension and cardiovascular risk factors (n=2,030). Abnormal waist circumference vs. Normal waist circumference was evaluated on High blood pressure (Hypertension) (OR 6.24, 95% CI 1.99-19.51, p=0.002). The overall prevalence of hypertension was 6.0%, and having an abnormal waist circumference was significantly associated with higher odds of high blood pressure (OR 6.24) among university students.
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