Prevalence of metabolic syndrome and its components among rural and urban populations at a provincial hospital in Northern Rwanda: a cross-sectional study.

Abstract

Introduction: Africa has long been associated with high infectious disease rates and nutritional deficiencies. However, due to lifestyle changes and nutritional transitions driven by industrialization, NCDs and over-nutrition now coexist with infectious diseases. Our study assessed the prevalence and risk factors of metabolic syndrome (MetS) and its components in rural and urban populations.

Methods: this cross-sectional study enrolled participants aged 35 and 65 years presenting at a provincial hospital in Rwanda. We collected demographic, lifestyle, anthropometric, laboratory, and clinical data using the World Health Organization STEPwise tool for NCDs. We used the NCEP ATP III criteria to define the MetS criteria.

Results: of the 422 study participants, the majority; 322 (76.5%) were females and the overall median (IQR) age was 47 (40-53) years. Overall, 156 (37.0%) of the participants resided in a rural area. The overall frequency of MetS was 219 (51.9%) (95% CI 47.1-56.7) and was significantly higher in participants resident in an urban area 152 (57.1%) vs 67 (42.9%) rural areas (p=0.005). Hypoalphalipoproteinaemia was the most prevalent single component of the MetS 253 (61.3%) and was also the single most prevalent component in participants from urban settings; 166 (63.6%), whilst in rural-based participants, hypertension 98 (62.8%) was the most prevalent MetS component. On multivariable logistic regression analysis, BMI, LDL-C, TC, and increased age were significantly associated with MetS in participants residing in both rural and urban areas.

Conclusion: a high frequency of MetS was observed in the present study with a higher frequency occurring in urban participants. Targeted health education on behavioral risk factors is recommended.