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Background: Data on overweight and obesity in general population in Benin is scarce. This study aimed therefore to assess prevalence and risk factors of overweight and obesity in Benin. Methods:The study consisted of a cross-sectional survey, using the World Health Organisation (WHO)'s instrument for stepwise surveillance (STEPS) of non-communicable diseases risk factors. A five stage random sample of 25 to 64 years old male and female adults living in Benin participated in structured interviews and their size, weight and blood pressure were measured according to standardized procedures. Prevalence and means were computed with their 95% confidence interval and standard error respectively, taking into account the sampling design. Prevalence was compared by Khi2 and means by Student's t test. Univariate and stratified by gender multivariate polytomous logistic regressions were performed to identify socio-demographic and physical risk factors of overweight and obesity. Results: A total of 6,773 adults participated in the study. About 50.50% of the participants were male. The overall prevalence of overweight and obesity was 19.20% (95% CI 17.91; 20.66) and 7.25% (95% CI 6.34; 8.14) respectively. The prevalence of high risk abdominal obesity was 15.48% (95% CI 15.45; 15.50). The prevalence of overweight (22.41% vs. 15.99%) and obesity (10.68% vs. 3.61%) was significantly higher in females than males. Likewise, the prevalence of abdominal obesity was significantly higher in women (27.39%) than in men (2.73%). After controlling for confounding factors, risk factors of overweight and obesity in both women and men were older age, primary and high school/university education levels, occupation, dwelling and department. Conclusion: Our findings suggested that overweight and obesity are common in Benin. However, some differences were noted between women and men as regards socio-demographic variables. These findings call for more in-depth studies. Moreover, policies and programmes targeting the identified risk factors and high risk abdominal obesity may prove helpful in reducing the prevalence of overweight and obesity in Benin.

BackgroundDue to epidemiological transitions, Sub-Saharan Africa is facing a growing burden of non-communicable diseases, including cardiovascular diseases (CVDs). Among their risk factors, hypertension is a major determinant of CVDs, but the prevalence and level of awareness and management of this condition are poorly studied in African populations. The aim of this study was to determine the prevalence of hypertension and identify its associated risk factors as well as the awareness and management of this condition in a community-dwelling cohort in Benin.MethodsA cross-sectional door-to-door study was conducted in the population over the age of 25 years in Tanve, a rural setting in Benin. The questionnaire and anthropometric measurements of the World Health Organization STEPWISE survey were used. Blood pressure was measured using standard procedures.ResultsThe sample included 1777 subjects (60.9% females, mean age was 42.5 ± 16.5 years). The prevalence of hypertension was 32.9%, similar in men (32.8%) and women (33.0%, p = 0.9342). Age and obesity were significantly associated with hypertension. Less than half (42%) of hypertensive people were aware about their condition and only 46.3% of them were treated. Awareness ratios differed between men and women (respectively 32.9% vs. 47.5%; p = 0.0039) and was not influenced by age, education, occupation, marital status or income. Female sex was the only factor associated with better controlled HTN, independent of socio-economic parameters.ConclusionThis large population-based study confirms the high prevalence, low awareness, and low control of hypertension in men and women in sub-Saharan Africa. Only half of the populations with hypertension are aware of their hypertension, indicating a high burden of undiagnosed and un-controlled high blood pressure in these populations.

Data on variations in the frequency of cardiovascular risk factors (CVRF) in sub-Saharan populations are limited, particularly with regard to Benin.ObjectiveTo describe and compare the prevalences of CVRF in urban and rural populations of Benin.MethodsSubjects were drawn from participants in the Benin Steps survey, a nationwide cross-sectional study conducted in 2008 using the World Health Organisation (WHO) stepwise approach to surveillance of chronic disease risk factors. Subjects aged above 24 and below 65 years were recruited using a five-stage random sampling process within households. Sociodemographic data, behavioral data along with medical history of high blood pressure and diabetes mellitus were collected in Step 1. Anthropometric parameters and blood pressure were measured in Step 2. Blood glucose and cholesterol levels were measured in Step 3. CVRF were defined according to WHO criteria. The prevalences of CVRF were assessed and the relationships between each CVRF and the area of residence (urban or rural), were evaluated using multivariable logistic regression models.ResultsOf the 6762 subjects included in the study, 2271 were from urban areas and 4491 were from rural areas. High blood pressure was more prevalent in urban than in rural areas, 29.9% (95% confidence intervals (95% CI): 27.4, 32.5) and 27.5% (95% CI: 25.6, 29.5) respectively, p = 0.001 (p-value after adjustment for age and gender). Obesity was more prevalent in urban than in rural areas, 16.4% (95% CI: 14.4, 18.4) and 5.9% (95% CI: 5.1, 6.7), p<0.001. Diabetes was more prevalent in urban than in rural areas, 3.3% (95% CI: 2.1, 4.5) and 1.8% (95% CI: 1.2, 2.4), p = 0.004. Conversely, daily tobacco smoking was more prevalent in rural than in urban areas, 9.3% (95% CI: 8.1, 10.4) and 4.3% (95% CI: 3.1, 5.6), p<0.001. No differences in raised blood cholesterol were noted between the two groups.ConclusionAccording to our data, CVRF are prevalent among adults in Benin, and variations between rural and urban populations are significant. It may be useful to take account of the heterogeneity in the prevalence of CVRF when planning and implementing preventive interventions.

Background Sub-Saharan Africa is facing a growing burden of non-communicable diseases, including cardiovascular diseases (CVDs), due to epidemiological transitions. Among their risk factors, hypertension is a major determinant of CVDs, but the prevalence and level of awareness and management of this condition are poorly studied in African populations. The aim of this study was to determine the prevalence of hypertension and identify its associated risk factors as well as the awareness and management of this condition in a community-dwelling cohort in Benin. Methods A cross-sectional door-to-door study was conducted in the population over the age of 25 years in Tanve, a rural setting in Benin. The questionnaire and anthropometric measurements of the World Health Organization STEPWISE survey were used. Blood pressure was measured using standard procedures. Results The sample included 1777 subjects (60.9% females, mean age was 42.5±16.5 years). The prevalence of hypertension was 32.9%, similar in men (32.8%) and women (33.0%, p=0.9342). Age and obesity were significantly associated with hypertension. Less than half (42%) of hypertensive people were aware about their condition and only 46.3% of them were treated. Awareness ratios differed between men and women (respectively 32.9% vs. 47.5%; p= 0.0039) and was not influenced by age, education, occupation, marital status or income. Female sex was the only factor associated with better controlled HTN, independent of socio-economic parameters. Conclusion This large population-based study confirms the high prevalence, low awareness, and low control of hypertension in men and women in sub-Saharan Africa. Only half of the populations with hypertension are aware of their hypertension, indicating a high burden of undiagnosed and un-controlled high blood pressure in these populations.

Background: Faced with the growing burden of cardiovascular disease (CVD) including atherosclerotic in Sub-Saharan Africa (SSA), the development of appropriate prediction tools, based on large cohorts, appears useful for prevention. Objective: The objective of the pilot project TAHES (Tanvè Health Study) was to explore the feasibility of a large cohort study focused on CVD and risk factors in Benin. Methods: We implemented a prospective cohort over 2 years. The sample consisted of all people aged 25 years or older who had lived for at least the previous 6 months in the villages of Tanvè or Dékanmè. At baseline in February 2015, behaviours and medical histories were recorded using a standardized questionnaire adapted from the WHO Steps instrument; screening questionnaires for angina, claudication, congestive heart failure, and stroke were applied; anthropometric measures and fasting capillary blood glucose were taken. All participants were included in the follow-up phase. Surveillance of target CVD and deaths was implemented through a medical and a community network. Results: A total of 1,195 participants were enrolled at baseline; women represented 65.5% and the median age was 39 years. The high participation rate (91.4%), the quality of baseline data, and the functionality of the events surveillance network over 8 months indicated good perspective for the feasibility of a large cohort. We recorded a 3.8% prevalence of daily smoking, 3.6% of harmful use of alcohol, 10.7% of obesity, 25.5% of high blood pressure, and 3.5% of diabetes. Prevalence of angina pectoris (2.7%), intermittent claudication (2.0%), congestive heart failure (0.9%), and stroke survival with motor impairment (3‰) were also recorded. Ten deaths occurred during the first 8 months, all within households; a cardiovascular cause was suspected in four cases. Conclusion: These preliminary results support the feasibility of establishing a cohort in Benin. It would require technical and resource support.

Background Maternal mortality is a public health issue, particularly in low- and middle-income countries (LMIC). Sub-Saharan Africa (SSA) is the region most affected worldwide by maternal mortality, and preeclampsia is one of the main causes. We performed a systematic review of observational studies to identify the impact of cardiovascular risk factors on preeclampsia in SSA with a more representative sample. Methods Databases: PubMed and Google Scholar were searched to identify published studies. Studies were included if they reported results on the link between at least one cardiovascular risk factor and preeclampsia. Relevant studies quality was assessed with the Newcastle-Ottawa Scale (NOS). Odds ratios and relative risk (RR) were reported with their confidence intervals. Results Twelve articles (8 case-controls, 3 cohorts, 1 cross-sectional) were included in this review, with a total of 24,369 pregnant women. Cardiovascular risk factors such as chronic hypertension, overweight, obesity, diabetes and alcohol were significantly associated with a high risk of preeclampsia. Very few data were available concerning some risk factors. None of the articles reported tobacco consumption as a preeclampsia risk factor. There is a lack of data from French-speaking SSA countries. Conclusion Cardiovascular risk factors increase the risk of preeclampsia. Our results suggest the need for prospective cohort studies to ascertain this association in order to reduce maternal mortality due to preeclampsia.

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