Distribution of Elevated Serum Cholesterol and Triglyceride Levels in the General Adult Population of Ngaoundere, Cameroon

Background: Dyslipidemia is a major cardiovascular disease (CVD) risk factor with an increasing occurrence in sub-Saharan Africa.

Aim: To determine the distribution of elevated serum cholesterol and triglyceride levels, and assess the level of awareness of dyslipidemias in the general adult population of Ngaoundere, Cameroon.

Methodology: This was a community-based cross-sectional study conducted from February to December 2015 in Ngaoundere town. Following a three-stage sampling method, a total 932 participants of at least 20 years old were enrolled. Demographic data were collected, and body mass index (BMI), waist circumference, blood pressure, fasting blood glucose (FBG), serum total cholesterol (TC) and triglycerides (TG) were measured.

Results: The overall prevalence of raised cholesterol and triglyceride levels were 25.97% (n=242) and 5.26% (n=49) respectively. The overall mean concentrations of TC and TG were 207.30± 54.18 mg/dL and 105.49 ± 51.22 mg/dL respectively. The population’s level of awareness of dyslipidemias was recorded at 0.77% (n=2), and no participant was on lipid-lowering drugs. The 40-64 years (OR:2.21, P<0.001) and ≥ 60 years (OR:2.19, P=0.006) age ranges, abdominal obesity (OR:1.76, P=0.026) and hypertriglyceridemia (OR:4.53, P<0.001) were independently associated with hypercholesterolemia, while the age range 40-64 years (OR:2.11, P=0.027), hypertension (OR:2.38, P=0.011) and hypercholesterolemia (OR:4.63,P<0.001) were independently associated with hypertriglyceridemia.

Conclusion: The present study portrayed a high prevalence of elevated serum cholesterol level, a very low level of awareness and poor treatment coverage of dyslipidemias in the Ngaoundere population while reaffirming the relationships between advance age, abdominal obesity, hypertension and dyslipidemias.