Assessment of cardiovascular risk factors and level of malnutrition among the elderly of rural and urban areas in Morogoro, Tanzania.

Abstract

Back ground: The rise in elderly population globally, is apparently accompanied by the increase in prevalence of Cardiovascular Risk Factors (CRF) and nutritional challenges. Methodology: A descriptive cross-sectional study was conducted to determine the levels of common CRF and nutritional status among the elderly of urban and rural areas in Morogoro region. A sample of 300 elderly participants was studied and the Body Mass Index (BMI) (kg/m2), lipids profile (mg/dL), Fasting Bood Glucose (FBG) (Mmol/L), Blood pressure (BP) (mmHg) and Mini nutrition score points were determined. Results: Of the 300 participants, (73.4%) had dyslipidemia and the prevalence was higher in female sex (P<0.001). The prevalence of hypertension was 46.3% and was higher in female sex (P<0.05). Dyslipidemia and hypertension were the most prevalent and were more revealed among the urban residents. Obesity, more diagnosed in females sex was revealed in (27.3%) of 300 participants and cases were highly found among the urban occupants. Hyperglycemia marginally higher in female’s sex was found in 19% of 300 participants and the number was marginally higher in the urban compared to rural dwellers. Association of hypertension with obesity (P<0.01, RR=1.5), hyperglycemia (P<0.05, RR=1.5) and dyslipidemia (P<0.05, RR =1.7) was revealed statistically and many elderly with obesity were also diagnosed with dyslipidemia (P<0.05, RR=2) and hyperglycaemia (P<0.05, RR= 1.8) respectively. Association of smocking with lowered High Density Lipoprotein (HDL) was also revealed in the study (P<0.05, RR= 1.6). In this study ware also revealed some cases of nutritional problems as it was observed that 24.6%, (n=300) of the studied elderly, were either malnourished or at risk of malnutrition. Additionally the risk of malnutrition was more revealed among the rural residents when compared to the urban living elderly people. Conclusion: The results revealed a burden of CRF and nutrition challenges among the ≥60 aged elderly people of Morogoro in Tanzania. Creating awareness on healthy life styles may help to ameliorate the modifiable CRF and nutrition challenges hence perpetuate the healthy elderly population. Key words; Prevalence, Cardiovascular risk factors, Malnutrition, Elderly