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

ABSTRACTObjectives: 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.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 arscine transformation) and meta-regression model to estimate the prevalence of hypercholesterolemia in Nigeria in 1995 and 2015.Results: 13 studies (n=16981) were retrieved. The pooled crude prevalence of hypercholesterolemia in Nigeria was 38% (95% CI: 26-51), with prevalence in women slightly higher (42%, 23-63) compared to men at (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 to 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 prioritised.