Socio-economic status and behavioural and cardiovascular risk factors in Papua New Guinea: A cross-sectional survey

• DOI: 10.1371/journal.pone.0211068
• Publication Date: 2019-01-23T20:44:01Z
• Authors: Patricia Rarau; Justin Pulford; Hebe Gouda; Suparat Phuanukoonon; Chris Bullen; Robert Scragg; Bang Nguyen Pham; Barbara McPake; Brian Oldenburg
• Keywords: Cross-sectional study; Household income

Background Risk factors for cardiovascular disease (CVD) are negatively correlated with socio-economic status (SES) in high-income countries (HIC) but there has been little research on their distribution by household SES within low-and middle-income (LMICs). Considering the limited data from LMICs, this paper examines association between behavioural and risk Papua New Guinea (PNG). Methods Reported here results of 671 participants 900 randomly selected adults aged 15–65 years. These were recruited three socioeconomically geographically diverse surveillance sites (peri-urban community, rural Highland an Island community) PNG 2013–2014. We measured CVD (behavioural metabolic) using a modified WHO STEPS factor survey analysis blood samples. assessed education, occupation creating wealth index based assets. calculated ratios (RR) 95% confidence intervals (CI) generalized linear model to assess associations risks SES. Findings Elevated common all groups metabolic most prevalent among homemakers, peri-urban highlands, highest (4th 5th) quintile population. Adults had high obesity, elevated HbA1c syndrome (MetS) that greater than those lowest although quintiles less likely smoke tobacco. Compared people residents increased waist circumference (WC) (RR: 1.67, 95%CI: 1.21–2.31), hypertension 2∙29, 1∙89–4.56), cholesterol 2∙22, 1∙20–4∙10), triglycerides 1∙49, 1∙17–1∙91), 5∙54, 1∙36–21∙56), Metabolic 2∙04, 1∙25–3∙32). Similarly, Rural obesity (Waist Circumference RR: 1∙70, 1∙21–3∙38, Waist-Hip-Ratio RR:1∙48, 1∙28–1∙70), 2∙60, 1∙71–3∙95), 1∙34, 1∙06–1∙70) MetS 1∙88, 1∙12–3∙16) compared site. Interpretation varies markedly location. Our findings show community members at weather they part or low groups. support notion differ greatly accordingly type measure used, population studied. In addition, our contribute further literature LMIC. Longitudinal studies needed monitor changes rapidly changing societies such as inform public health policy control prevention NCDs country.