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Meta-Analysis
. 2020 Jan:178:167-178.
doi: 10.1016/j.puhe.2019.09.002. Epub 2019 Nov 5.

Prevalence of hypercholesterolemia in Nigeria: a systematic review and meta-analysis

D Adeloye  1 , D Q Abaa  2 , E O Owolabi  3 , B M Ale  4 , R G Mpazanje  5 , M T Dewan  5 , C Omoyele  6 , N Ezeigwe  6 , W Alemu  7 , M O Harhay  8 , A Auta  9 , I F Adewole  10
Affiliations
Meta-Analysis

Prevalence of hypercholesterolemia in Nigeria: a systematic review and meta-analysis

D Adeloye et al. Public Health. 2020 Jan.

Abstract

Objectives: Elevated blood cholesterol (hypercholesterolemia) is a significant cause of cardiovascular disease. We aimed to estimate national and zonal prevalence of hypercholesterolemia in Nigeria to help guide targeted public health programs.

Study design: This is a systematic review and synthesis of publicly available epidemiologic data on hypercholesterolemia in Nigeria.

Methods: We systematically searched MEDLINE, EMBASE, Global Health, and Africa Journals Online for studies on the prevalence of hypercholesterolemia in Nigeria published between 1990 and 2018. We used a random-effects meta-analysis (Freeman-Tukey double arcsine transformation) and meta-regression model to estimate the prevalence of hypercholesterolemia in Nigeria in 1995 and 2015.

Results: In total, 13 studies (n = 16,981) were retrieved. The pooled crude prevalence of hypercholesterolemia in Nigeria was 38% (95% confidence interval: 26-51), with prevalence in women slightly higher (42%, 23-63) compared with men (38%, 20-58). The prevalence was highest in the South-south (53%, 38-68) and lowest in the South-west (3%, 2-4) and North-east (4%, 2-7). Urban dwellers had a significantly higher rate (52%, 24-79) compared with rural dwellers (10%, 6-15). We estimated over 8.2 million persons (age-adjusted prevalence 16.5%) aged 20 years or more had hypercholesterolemia in Nigeria in 1995, increasing to 21.9 million persons (age-adjusted prevalence 25.9%) in 2015.

Conclusions: Our findings suggest a high prevalence of hypercholesterolemia in Nigeria. Urbanization, lifestyles, diets, and culture appear to be driving an increasing prevalence, especially among women. Population-wide awareness and education on reducing elevated cholesterol levels and associated risks should be prioritized.

Keywords: Dyslipidemia; Hypercholesterolemia; Ischemic heart disease; Nigeria; Prevalence.

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Conflict of interest statement

Disclosure statement: The authors declare no conflicts of interest.

Figures

FIGURE 1.
FIGURE 1.
Flow chart of selection of studies on hypercholesterolemia in Nigeria.
FIGURE 2.
FIGURE 2.
Funnel plot showing distribution of selected studies Egger’s test (z) = −1.67, P = 0.008.
FIGURE 3.
FIGURE 3.
Plate A. Pooled rate of hypercholesterolemia in Nigeria, by geopolitical zone. Plate B. Pooled rate of hypercholesterolemia in Nigeria, by study design. Plate C. Pooled rate of hypercholesterolemia in Nigeria, by study setting.
FIGURE 3.
FIGURE 3.
Plate A. Pooled rate of hypercholesterolemia in Nigeria, by geopolitical zone. Plate B. Pooled rate of hypercholesterolemia in Nigeria, by study design. Plate C. Pooled rate of hypercholesterolemia in Nigeria, by study setting.
FIGURE 4.
FIGURE 4.
Pooled rate of hypercholesterolemia in Nigeria, men.
FIGURE 5.
FIGURE 5.
Pooled rate of hypercholesterolemia in Nigeria, Women.
See this image and copyright information in PMC

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