Profile of some risk factors for coronary heart disease in a developing country: Nigeria

The profile of some risk factors for coronary heart disease was studied in 557 male and 325 female Nigerians aged 20 years and above from the low and medium income groups, respectively. Except for the weight of subjects in the low income level, values of all physical characteristics were significantly higher in females than males (P < 0.01). In the 20-39 years age group, the systolic blood pressure was higher in males than females, and among the medium income group than the low income group (P < 0.01); but this difference disappeared in the higher age groups. The mean diastolic blood pressure was higher (but not statistically significant) at medium income levels than low income levels (P > 0.05). In each age group, the mean plasma total cholesterol was significantly higher in the medium income group than in the low income group (P < 0.01). The percentage of smokers and alcohol consumers were higher in the high income group than the low income group (P < 0.01). A high percentage of the smokers and alcohol consumers were male subjects. Blood pressure was correlated with age, smoking and body fat, (P < 0.01). Waist to trochanter ratio, and percentage body fat were significantly related to plasma total cholesterol level (P < 0.01).