Prevalence of hypercholesterolemia in Nigeria: a systematic review and meta-analysis.

D Adeloye, D Q Abaa, E O Owolabi, B M Ale, R G Mpazanje, M T Dewan, C Omoyele, N Ezeigwe, W Alemu, M O Harhay, A Auta, I F Adewole

Journal: Public health 2020;178():167-178

PMID: 31698139

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Abstract

OBJECTIVES

Elevated blood cholesterol (hypercholesterolemia) is a significant cause of cardiovascular disease. We aimed to estimate national and zonal prevalence of hypercholesterolemia in Nigeria to help guide targeted public health programs.

STUDY DESIGN

This is a systematic review and synthesis of publicly available epidemiologic data on hypercholesterolemia in Nigeria.

METHODS

We systematically searched MEDLINE, EMBASE, Global Health, and Africa Journals Online for studies on the prevalence of hypercholesterolemia in Nigeria published between 1990 and 2018. We used a random-effects meta-analysis (Freeman-Tukey double arcsine transformation) and meta-regression model to estimate the prevalence of hypercholesterolemia in Nigeria in 1995 and 2015.

RESULTS

In total, 13 studies (n = 16,981) were retrieved. The pooled crude prevalence of hypercholesterolemia in Nigeria was 38% (95% confidence interval: 26-51), with prevalence in women slightly higher (42%, 23-63) compared with men (38%, 20-58). The prevalence was highest in the South-south (53%, 38-68) and lowest in the South-west (3%, 2-4) and North-east (4%, 2-7). Urban dwellers had a significantly higher rate (52%, 24-79) compared with rural dwellers (10%, 6-15). We estimated over 8.2 million persons (age-adjusted prevalence 16.5%) aged 20 years or more had hypercholesterolemia in Nigeria in 1995, increasing to 21.9 million persons (age-adjusted prevalence 25.9%) in 2015.

CONCLUSIONS

Our findings suggest a high prevalence of hypercholesterolemia in Nigeria. Urbanization, lifestyles, diets, and culture appear to be driving an increasing prevalence, especially among women. Population-wide awareness and education on reducing elevated cholesterol levels and associated risks should be prioritized.

Address: Centre for Global Health, Usher Institute, University of Edinburgh, UK; RcDavies Evidence-based Medicine, Lagos, Nigeria. Electronic address: [email protected].; Solina Centre for International Development and Research (SCIDaR), Abuja, Nigeria.; Department of Nursing Sciences, University of Fort Hare, East London, South Africa.; INSERM UMR 1219, Bordeaux Population Health Research Center, Bordeaux, France; Holo Healthcare Limited, Nairobi, Kenya.; WHO Nigeria Country Office, Abuja, Nigeria.; Federal Ministry of Health, Abuja, Nigeria.; International Health Consultancy, LLC, Atlanta, Georgia, USA.; Department of Biostatistics, Epidemiology and Informatics, Perelman School of Medicine University of Pennsylvania Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, USA; Palliative and Advanced Illness Research (PAIR) Center, Perelman School of Medicine, University of Pennsylvania, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, USA.; School of Pharmacy and Biomedical Sciences, University of Central Lancashire, Fylde Road, Preston, UK.; College of Medicine, University of Ibadan, Ibadan, Nigeria.

DOI: 10.1016/j.puhe.2019.09.002

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MeSH Terms: Humans, Hypercholesterolemia, Nigeria, Prevalence, Risk Factors