Submission ID 117001
| Issue/Objective | As a result of an ongoing epidemiological transition, there is a rise in the burden of cardiovascular disease (CVD) in low-and middle-income countries (LMICs), accounting for nearly 80% of global CVD deaths. Countries in South Asia clas¬sified as LMICs, represent more than a quarter of (1.8 billion-23%) the world population with about 60% of the global burden of CVD. The purpose of the study was to provide an update of the prevalence of risk-factors and its association with the CVD among South Asian population. |
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| Methodology/Approach | We conducted a retrospective analysis of the World Health Organization's "STEPwise approach to surveillance of risk factors for non-communicable disease" or "STEPS" survey from six South Asian countries (Nepal, Pakistan, Bangladesh, Afghanistan, Bhutan, and Sri Lanka), surveys conducted between 2014-2019. Participants were working-age individuals, ranging from 18 to 69 years old. Health behaviours like smoking and lack of physical activity and risk factors like hypertension, diabetes, and cholesterol levels were assessed. The main outcome was self-reported occurrence of CVD (i.e., heart attack and stroke). Multivariable logistic regression models were used to examine the association between the risk factors and incident CVD. |
| Results | The final analytic sample included 33,106 survey participants (57.5% females). Based on self-reported data, the STEPS survey revealed that 15.4% of the South Asian population smoked, 24% had hypertension, 37.2% had high cholesterol, and 20.2% had diabetes. Males who smoked were at 54% higher risk of experiencing CVD than who did not smoke. Females with history of hypertension were at 2.51 times and those with high cholesterol were at 1.26 times higher risk of developing CVD. Hypertension and high cholesterol were more prevalent in females compared to males across South Asian countries. |
| Discussion/Conclusion | The prevalence of hyperten¬sion and high cholesterol levels, the strongest risk-factors for CVD was high in South Asian population, more specifically in female. The high prevalence of these modifiable risk factors suggests the need of early detection and management, that can primarily be done by adapting innovations made across the world and embracing new technologies. Harnessing technology and innovation will ensure better health for everyone everywhere. |
| Presenters and affiliations | Rubee Dev University of British Columbia Benedictus Harley Kartawidjaja University of British Columbia Neelam Dhakal University of British Columbia |
