BACKGROUND: Cardiovascular disease is a leading cause of death in India. In order to reduce the burden of the disease, it is important to know the level of modifiable risk factors in the population. The aim of this study was to estimate the prevalence of hypercholesterolaemia and associated factors among the population aged over 30 years in a rural area in north Kerala, India. METHODS: A cross-sectional study was carried out to find the prevalence of hypercholesterolaemia among 533 residents of Kulappuram village. The fasting blood glucose level, total serum cholesterol level, blood pressure and body mass index of the residents were also assessed. The significance of association of hypercholesterolaemia with age, sex, body mass index and blood pressure was tested using the chi-squared test. Logistic regression was carried out to estimate the adjusted odds ratios (OR). RESULTS: The prevalence of hypercholesterolaemia was 63.8%. It was more prevalent in women (adjusted OR: 1.56; 95% confidence interval [CI]: 1.07-2.27), in those with body mass index in the range 23.0-24.9 kg/m2 (adjusted OR: 1.78; 95% CI: 1.04-3.02) and in those with blood pressure >140/90 mmHg (adjusted OR: 1.62; 95% CI: 1.1-2.38). CONCLUSION: The prevalence of hypercholesterolaemia is high in the study population.
BACKGROUND:Cardiovascular disease is a leading cause of death in India. In order to reduce the burden of the disease, it is important to know the level of modifiable risk factors in the population. The aim of this study was to estimate the prevalence of hypercholesterolaemia and associated factors among the population aged over 30 years in a rural area in north Kerala, India. METHODS: A cross-sectional study was carried out to find the prevalence of hypercholesterolaemia among 533 residents of Kulappuram village. The fasting blood glucose level, total serum cholesterol level, blood pressure and body mass index of the residents were also assessed. The significance of association of hypercholesterolaemia with age, sex, body mass index and blood pressure was tested using the chi-squared test. Logistic regression was carried out to estimate the adjusted odds ratios (OR). RESULTS: The prevalence of hypercholesterolaemia was 63.8%. It was more prevalent in women (adjusted OR: 1.56; 95% confidence interval [CI]: 1.07-2.27), in those with body mass index in the range 23.0-24.9 kg/m2 (adjusted OR: 1.78; 95% CI: 1.04-3.02) and in those with blood pressure >140/90 mmHg (adjusted OR: 1.62; 95% CI: 1.1-2.38). CONCLUSION: The prevalence of hypercholesterolaemia is high in the study population.