HYPERTENSION IN CAMEROONIAN RURAL AND URBAN PYGMIES AND BANTUS OF THE SOUTHERN REGION

Abstract

Objective: To determine the prevalence of hypertension and associated risk factors among rural and urban pygmy and Bantu dwellers of southern Cameroon Design and method: In this cross-sectional cluster sampling survey, we examined 100 traditional pygmies (TP) living in equatorial forest in Kavabousse village under hunter-gatherer subsistence mode, 100 traditional Bantus (TB) living in Bidjouka village closed to Kavabousse (rural area); and 100 contemporary pygmies (CP) and 100 contemporary Bantus (CB) both living in the same urban environment in Kribi city. Trained observers recorded in each participant lifestyle and socio-demographic data, and clinical parameters. Brachial systolic blood pressure (SBP) and diastolic blood pressure (DBP) were measured in triplicate using an automatic sphygmomanometer (Omron 705 CP). Hypertension was defined as SBP/DBP > or = 140/90 mmHg. Results: As compared to Bantus, Pygmies were younger (38 ± 16 vs 45 ± 17 years, p = 0.0001), with lower body mass index (22.7 ± 3.3 vs 24.9 ± 4.6, p < 0.0001). Age-adjusted SBP and DBP were lower in Pygmies than in Bantus (p < 0.0001), however within group SBP and DBP were similar among rural and urban individuals. Age-adjusted prevalence of hypertension was lower in pygmies than Bantus globally (7.5% vs 21.5% p = 0.0001), and in rural and urban areas: 4% vs 19% and 11% vs 24 %, respectively, both p < 0.01). In pygmies taken separately, the age-adjusted prevalence of hypertension was lower in TP than in CP (4% vs 11%). 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 >or = 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 pygmies taken separately, multivariate logistic regression analysis shown that age >or = 50 years (OR = 3.83, CI95%: 1.33–11.36) and urban area (OR = 3.33, CI95%: 1.04–11.11) (both p < 0.05) were independent determinants of hypertension. Conclusions: This study reveals that hunter-gatherer lifestyle is associated with lower prevalence of hypertension as illustrated in TP. Hypertension is more common in Bantus and CP, and is largely attributable to their westernized lifestyle and the growing urbanization of rural area.