Abstract
IntroductionThe burden of non-communicable diseases (NCDs) is increasing in low and middle-income countries (LMIC). According to the World Health Organization (WHO) the largest increase occurs in Africa. Obesity, diabetes mellitus and hypertension (ODH) are major risk factors for cardiovascular diseases, causing nearly 18 million deaths worldwide. Various risks associated with mining as an occupational activity are implicated in NCDs' occurrence. This study describes the baseline prevalence of ODH and associated risk factors in the workforce of Tenke Fungurume Mining (TFM), in southern Democratic Republic of Congo.MethodsA cross-sectional study was conducted on a sample of 2,749 employees' and contractor's occupational health examination files for 2010. Socio-demographic, occupational, medical, anthropometric and behavioral characteristics were collected and assessed. Disease status regards ODH was based on WHO criteria. A multivariate logistic regression model was used.ResultsOverall prevalence of ODH was 4.5%, 11.7%, and 18.2% respectively. Proportions of pre-ODH individuals were 19.7%, 16.5%, and 47.8% respectively. Prevalence of ODH increased with age, professional grade, nature of work, gender and reported alcohol use. Smoking 10 or more cigarettes per day increased risk of diabetes and hypertension, while decreasing obesity.ConclusionRates of ODH and associated risk factors are higher in the TFM workforce, than in the general DRC population. This is likely reflective of other mining sites in the country and region. It is evident that ODH are associated with various socio-demographic, occupational, anthropometric, biomedical and behavioral risk factors. A NCD prevention program and close monitoring of disease and risk factors trends are needed in this population.
Highlights
The burden of non-communicable diseases (NCDs) is increasing in low and middle-income countries (LMIC)
According to World Health Organization (WHO), hypertension was identified as the greatest NCD problem in the Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC) in 2014; with a prevalence estimated at 24.8% and one of the highest in Africa [6]
The overall prevalence of hypertension (18.2%) and mean values of systolic blood pressure (SBP) (124 mmHg) and diastolic blood pressure (DBP) (78.7 mmHg) in this workforce were higher compared to a large mining workforce located in Papua, Indonesia [19] and communities in DRC [20, 21] and Fungurume [13]
Summary
The burden of non-communicable diseases (NCDs) is increasing in low and middle-income countries (LMIC). Diabetes mellitus and hypertension (ODH) are major risk factors for cardiovascular diseases, causing nearly 18 million deaths worldwide. Conclusion: Rates of ODH and associated risk factors are higher in the TFM workforce, than in the general DRC population. This is likely reflective of other mining sites in the country and region. Non-communicable diseases (NCDs) currently result in more premature deaths than all other causes combined Together they kill nearly 40 million people each year, accounting for 70% of all global deaths [1, 2]. Diabetes mellitus and hypertension (ODH) are major risk factors for CVD, the cause of nearly 18 million deaths annually worldwide [8]. According to WHO, hypertension was identified as the greatest NCD problem in the DRC in 2014; with a prevalence estimated at 24.8% and one of the highest in Africa [6]
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