A16055 Hypertension and associated risk factors in rural and urban pygmies of southern region cameroon

Abstract

Objectives: Determine the prevalence of hypertension and associated risk factors in adult pygmy and Bantu populations in rural and urban areas of southern Cameroon region Methods: This was a cross-sectional study carried out on pygmies 100 traditional pygmies 100 traditional Bantus (TB), and 100 contemporary pygmies (CP) and 100 contemporary Bantus (CB) both sharing the same urban environment located in south region Cameroon. We recorded in all participants’ lifestyle and socio-demographic data, and clinical parameters. Results: Pygmy participants were younger than Bantus (38 ± 16 vs 45 ± 17 years, p = 0.0001). In the whole study population, the prevalence of hypertension was 14.5%. Age-adjusted prevalence of hypertension was lower in pygmies than Bantus globally (7.5% vs 21.5% p = 0.0001),even in both areas:4% vs 19 in rural; and 11% vs 24 % in urban, respectively, both p < 0.01). In pygmy participants taken separetely, the age-adjusted prevalence of hypertension was greater in CP than in TP (11% vs 4%,). Age-adjusted SBP and DBP were higher in Bantus than pygmies, p < 0.0001, but the within group difference was not significant. In the whole study population, multivariate logistic regression analysis revealed that hypertension was independently associated with urban area (OR = 2.15,95%CI:1.14–4.05), Bantu status (OR = 2.17, 95%CI:1.09–4.34), age ≥ 50 years (OR = 2.15, 95%CI:1.14–4.05), and abdominal obesity (OR = 0.20 95%CI:0.09–0.46) (all p < 0.05). In pygmy group taken separately, in multiple logistic regression analysis age ≥ 50 years (OR = 3.83, CI95%: 1.33–11.36) and urban city (OR = 3.33, CI95%: 1.04–11.11) (both p < 0.05) appeared as independent determinant of hypertension. Conclusion: Our study reveals that hunter-gatherer subsistence mode is associated with lower prevalence of hypertension as illustrated in TP.