Abstract
Refugees from the Democratic Republic of the Congo are one of the largest refugee groups globally and in the US, however, there is limited research with this group. Therefore, objectives of this study were to examine: 1) obesity and hypertension rates, 2) diet and lifestyle behavior changes, and 3) diet, lifestyle and social factors of obesity and hypertension risk of Congolese refugees in the US. This cross-sectional data collection utilized a survey developed specifically for this project. Clinical and anthropometric measures including height, weight and blood pressure were also obtained. Data analysis included descriptive and regression analysis. Participants (n=48, >18 years, 55% female) reported consumption of a traditional diet with an emphasis on starchy foods, dark leafy greens, legumes, fish and fruit. Adverse dietary changes and reductions in physical activity were reported. Of the sample 63% were overweight or obese and 91% exhibited elevated blood pressure. Sociodemographic factors including age, sex, and changes to lifestyle (diet, physical activity) were not significantly associated with BMI or diastolic or systolic blood pressure. Findings in this study reveal both lifestyle and clinical risk factors associated with chronic disease as well as potential health care and health literacy barriers. Results from this study may be utilized by practitioners and/or researchers to tailor culturally appropriate future health promotion and/or care to address and reduce health disparities commonly experienced by African refugees.
Highlights
In 2016, the largest group of refugees arriving in the United States (US) were from the Democratic Republic of the Congo (DRC). [1] Congolese refugees currently make up the 6th largest refugee group in the world. [2] Prior to arriving in the US, most Congolese arrived from refugee camps in neighboring countries where healthcare access and support are minimal
The final sample included Congolese participants (n=48) who arrived in the US from a total of fourteen countries with the majority having previously resided in refugee camps in Tanzania, Rwanda, Malawi and Namibia, with a mean refugee camp residence of 15.2 SD 5.3 years
The rates of elevated blood pressure identified in this study corroborate with studies of black individuals within in the US; refugees are a unique group and comparison should be taken with caution. [23,24,25] Research available for comparison has identified elevated hypertension risk in samples which combined African refugees vs. other refugee groups
Summary
In 2016, the largest group of refugees arriving in the United States (US) were from the Democratic Republic of the Congo (DRC). [1] Congolese refugees currently make up the 6th largest refugee group in the world. [2] Prior to arriving in the US, most Congolese arrived from refugee camps in neighboring countries where healthcare access and support are minimal. In 2016, the largest group of refugees arriving in the United States (US) were from the Democratic Republic of the Congo (DRC). Healthcare in refugee camps prioritizes communicable disease(s) and emergency services and identification and/or management of chronic diseases (CDs) may be neglected. [3] refugee camp data is limited, there is evidence that CD and obesity risks are elevated within the Congolese population. [3] Excess weight and obesity and related CDs including hypertension and diabetes mellitus are consistently identified with the Congolese prior to arrival. “From the Democratic Republic of the Congo to North Carolina: An Examination of Chronic Disease Risk,” Journal of Refugee & Global Health: Vol 3, Iss. 1, Article 3.
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