Search

Introduction: Over 80% of the global cardiovascular disease (CVD) burden is in low-income countries, including Haiti. Emerging data from these settings indicate CVD risk factors occur earlier in the life-course, but our knowledge of the age of onset and associated factors is limited. This study provides the first population-based estimates of CVD risk factors among young people ages 18-30 years in Haiti. Hypothesis: We hypothesized that elevated blood pressure (pre-hypertension (SBP/DBP >120-140/80-89) or hypertension (SBP/DBP >140/90 or on treatment) is the most common CVD risk factor among young people ages 18-30 years with an estimated prevalence >15%. Methods: This is a cross-sectional analysis within the Haiti CVD Cohort Study, a population-based longitudinal study of adults ≥18 years in Port au Prince. Participants were enrolled between March 2019-April 2021 using multistage random sampling. At enrollment, sociodemographic and health behaviors were assessed coupled with a physical exam and laboratory measures. CVD risk factors included: elevated BP, dyslipidemia (LDL-C ≥100mg/dL), kidney disease (urine albumin creatinine ratio (ACR) or estimated glomerular filtration rate (eGFR)), obesity (BMI > 30kg/m 2 ), and smoking, alcohol use, and physical activity using the WHO STEPS survey. Results: Among 957 participants ages 18-30 years, median age was 24 years (IQR 21-27) and 52% were female. Prevalence of elevated BP was 23% (20% pre-hypertension, 3% hypertension), 34% dyslipidemia, 5% ACR ≥30mg/g, 0.21% eGFR < 60 mL/min/1.73, and 7% obese. Other CVD risk factors include: 4% were current smokers, 6% reported any lifetime tobacco use, 19% reported one or more alcoholic drinks per day, and 47% reported low physical activity. Compared to participants ages 18-24 years, those ages 25-30 years had higher odds of pre-hypertension/hypertension (aOR=1.56, 95% CI: 1.13-2.15), but lower odds of dyslipidemia (aOR=0.55, 95% CI: 0.41-0.74). Females had lower odds of pre-hypertension/hypertension (aOR= 0.24, 95% CI: 0.17-0.35) and dyslipidemia (aOR=0.47, 95% CI: 0.35-0.64). Being obese was associated with a higher odds of pre-hypertension/hypertension (aOR=2.21, 95% CI: 1.14-4.16) but lower odds of dyslipidemia (aOR= 0.35, 95%CI: 0.20-0.61) compared to normal weight. Conclusion: These data provide previously unknown population-based estimates of CVD risk factors among young people in a low-income country. Rates of elevated BP and dyslipidemia are alarmingly high and occur prematurely in the life-course in this cohort and are associated with risk of future CVD events and mortality. Despite low prevalence of smoking and drinking alcohol, smoking tobacco was still associated with an increased odds of dyslipidemia. Additional drivers of early-onset CVD risk factors must be identified to guide targeted interventions for primordial and primary prevention as well as treatment.