Abstract
BackgroundObesity is one of the main risk factors of non-communicable diseases (NCDs) worldwide, especially in sub-Saharan Africa. The use of Cyproheptadine increases body weight and the risk of becoming obese. The aim of this study is to determine the prevalence of Cyproheptadine misuse in the Kinshasa population and to describe its characteristics.MethodsA cross-sectional study was conducted in two town sectors of Kinshasa, Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC), over a 4 month period (May 2011 to August 2011). Data from 499 participants, aged between 13 and 55 years were collected and analyzed. Mean and standard deviation were used for quantitative variables and frequency and percentage for categorical variables. In order to determine the relationship between socio-demographic status and Cyproheptadine use the Chi-square test was conducted. Student’s t-test was used to compare means age of Cyproheptadine users and non-users. Logistic regression was used to determine predictors of Cyproheptadine use. A p-value of <0.05 was considered statistically significant.ResultsOverall, 499 participants were enrolled (352 females, 147 males, mean age ± standard deviation 24.9 ± 9.7 years) in the study. The majority of the study participants (72.9 %) had used Cyproheptadine as an appetite stimulant. Females were 11 times more likely to use Cryproheptadine (OR = 11.9; 95 % CI: 7.1–20.1) than males. People aged between 36 and 55 were three times less likely to use Cryproheptadine (OR = 0.3; 95 % CI: 0.2–0.8) compared to teenagers. More than half of the participants (69.0 %) declared to take daily Cyproheptadine. Half of the study participants (50.0 %) used Cyproheptadine for more than a year and also declared to combine it with Dexamethasone (87.6 %).ConclusionThis study shows that the Kinshasa population is significantly misusing Cyproheptadine and is highly exposed to its risk, including obesity.
Highlights
Obesity is one of the main risk factors of non-communicable diseases (NCDs) worldwide, especially in sub-Saharan Africa
Characteristics of the study participants and frequency of Cyproheptadine use A total of 499 participants were enrolled in the study, the response rate was 100 %
The main findings of this study were as follows: (i) the prevalence of Cyproheptadine misuse was 72.9 %. (ii) Cyproheptadine was used more by females than males and the Cyproheptadine use decreased with age. (iii) The majority of Cyproheptadine users reported to use Cyproheptadine on a daily basis. (iv) Half of Cyproheptadine users had used Cyproheptadine for a period over a year. (v) Self-prescription is by far the main procurement method of Cyproheptadine by the users. (vi) Dexamethasone was the most common drug combined with Cyproheptadine by users
Summary
Obesity is one of the main risk factors of non-communicable diseases (NCDs) worldwide, especially in sub-Saharan Africa. In sub-Saharan African (SSA) countries, obesity has become an important public health problem. This is mainly due to the changing lifestyle of the population in relation to urbanization [6, 7]. Studies carried out in the DRC showed that obesity was a significant predictor of mortality among hypertensive patients and a significant predictor of chronic kidney diseases [10, 11]. This shows that obesity is a major public health issue in the country. Knowledge of each risk factor leading to obesity is important in managing modifiable NCDs risk factors
Sign-in/Register to view highlights & summary Sign-in/Register to access full text options 
Talk to us
Join us for a 30 min session where you can share your feedback and ask us any queries you have
Schedule a callDisclaimer: All third-party content on this website/platform is and will remain the property of their respective owners and is provided on "as is" basis without any warranties, express or implied. Use of third-party content does not indicate any affiliation, sponsorship with or endorsement by them. Any references to third-party content is to identify the corresponding services and shall be considered fair use under The CopyrightLaw.
