Cardiovascular Disease Risk Factors in Latino Migrant Seasonal Farmworkers: A Meta-Analysis

Introduction: Existing literature concludes that Latino migrant seasonal farmworkers endure higher rates of health disparities and chronic diseases than the general population. However, research on this population's cardiovascular disease risk factors is scarce, particularly studies comparing males and females. Methods: A meta-analysis of prevalence was utilized to examine whether male or female Latino migrant seasonal farmworkers have a higher prevalence of cardiovascular disease risk factors. An extensive literature search yielded over 82,000 potentially pertinent articles, of which 17 were relevant and included in the analysis. Results: The prevalence rates of high cholesterol, diabetes mellitus, hypertension, and overweight/obesity for female Latino migrant seasonal farmworkers were 1%-54% (95% CI: 0.04-0.15), 2%-57% (95% CI: 0.08-0.21), 3%-54% (95% CI: 0.10-0.22), and 1%-100% (95% CI: 0.26-0.84), respectively, and 5%-42% (95% CI: 0.12-0.23), 1%-63% (95% CI: 0.07-0.21), 4%-68% (95% CI: 0.15-0.31), and 1%-99% (95% CI: 0.29-0.81), respectively, for males. Conclusion: Male Latino migrant seasonal farmworkers have a higher prevalence of diabetes mellitus and hypertension versus females, and females have higher rates of high cholesterol versus males. However, there is a 1% prevalence difference of overweight/obesity between female and male Latino migrant seasonal farmworkers.