Key result
Older age is linked to ~2.6-fold higher prevalence of elevated total cholesterol alongside female sex and obesity.
Why the study?
Elevated total cholesterol is a growing public health issue in low- and middle-income nations, but up-to-date national data on its burden and contributing factors in Tanzania were inadequate.
Cross-Sectional (n=3,565)
Yes
Answers are grounded in this paper and cite their sources.
Approximately one in ten Tanzanian adults aged 18–69 years has elevated total cholesterol, with significantly higher burden among women, older adults, urban residents, and overweight or obese individuals, underscoring the need for targeted cardiovascular risk prevention.
Background: Elevated Cholesterol levels is a significant modifiable risk factor for cardiovascular diseases; elevated total cholesterol is a growing public health issue in low- and middle-income nations. There is inadequate up to date national data on Tanzania's burden of high total cholesterol and its contributing factors. Methods: The nationally representative Tanzania WHO STEP-wise Survey, which was carried out between September and November 2023, provided the data for this secondary analysis. 3,565 adults between the ages of 18 and 69 were included in the study using a three-stage stratified sampling design. Structured interviews, physical measurements, and biochemical analyses were used to gather data. Total cholesterol ≥5.0 mmol/L or ongoing use of a lipid-lowering drug were considered indicators of elevated total cholesterol. Modified Poisson regression models and weighted analyses were employed to determine the factors linked to elevated total cholesterol. Results: 10.9% of people overall had elevated total cholesterol (95% CI: 8.8–13.4). The prevalence rose with age, was higher in urban than rural areas (14.8% vs. 7.7%), and was considerably higher in women than in men (15.8% vs. 4.5%). Unguja, the Northern, Southern, and Southwest Highlands zones had the highest prevalence, indicating significant regional variation. Female sex (aPR=1.74; 95% CI: 1.36–2.22), age 46–69 years (aPR=2.63; 95% CI: 1.95–3.53), living in an urban area (aPR=1.27; 95% CI: 1.03–1.57), and being overweight or obese (aPR=1.54; 95% CI: 1.25–1.88) were all independently linked to elevated total cholesterol levels. Conclusion: In Tanzania, one in ten adults between the ages of 18 and 69 have elevated total cholesterol; women, older adults, urban dwellers, and those who are overweight or obese are more likely to be affected. There is an urgent need for integrated and targeted cardiovascular risk prevention strategies.
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Mayige et al. (2026) conducted a cross-sectional in Elevated total cholesterol (≥5.0 mmol/L or ongoing use of a lipid-lowering drug) (n=3,565). Sociodemographic and anthropometric risk factors (female sex, older age 46–69 years, urban residence, overweight/obesity) vs. Reference categories (male sex, younger age, rural residence, normal/underweight) was evaluated on Prevalence of elevated total cholesterol (total cholesterol ≥5.0 mmol/L or ongoing use of a lipid-lowering drug) (aPR 2.63 (for age 46-69 years), 95% CI 1.95-3.53). Female sex, age 46–69, urban living, and overweight/obesity were independently linked to elevated total cholesterol.
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