[Risk factors in cardiovascular diseases in a semi-urban community of the Tunisian Sahel].

Cardiovascular diseases are the leading cause of mortality in the western countries at the same time they are beginning to appear with increasing frequency in developing countries. An epidemiologic study was carried out at Kalaa Kebira (Sousse-Tunisia) to determine the prevalence of the different risk factors of cardiovascular diseases. The study was performed on a representative sample of 555 adults of 20 years and more (response rate of 76%). There was a high proportion of adult males smokers (66%). The prevalence of hypertension varied from 15% to 25%, those of diabetes was 6.5%. An hypercholesterolemia greater than 6.2 mmole/l was observed for 12% of the sample and obesity for 20%.