Prevalence of non-communicable diseases and risk factors of pre-eclampsia/eclampsia in four local government areas in Nigeria: a cross-sectional study

Abstract

ObjectivesTo assess the prevalence of non-communicable diseases (NCDs) and risk factors associated with pre-eclampsia and eclampsia (PE/E) in women of reproductive age (WRA) in Nigeria.DesignA cross-sectional survey was administered to the entire study population. In the point-of-care testing, physical and biochemical measurements were taken in a subset of the participants.SettingThe study was conducted in the Ikorodu and Alimosho local government areas (LGAs) in Lagos and the Abuja Municipal Area Council and Bwari LGAs in the Federal Capital Territory.ParticipantsSystematic random sampling was used to randomly select and recruit 639 WRA (aged 18–49 years) between May 2019 and June 2019.Outcome measuresPrevalence of select NCDs (hypertension or raised blood pressure, diabetes or raised blood sugar levels, anaemia, truncal obesity and overweight/obesity) and risk factors associated with PE/E (physical activity, fruit and vegetable consumption, alcohol consumption and smoking).ResultsThe prevalence of raised blood pressure measured among the WRA was 36.0% (95% CI 31.3% to 40.9%). Approximately 10% (95% CI 7.2% to 13.4%) of participants had raised blood sugar levels. About 19.0% (95% CI 15.3% to 23.2%) of the women had moderate or severe anaemia. Excluding WRA who were pregnant, 51.9% (95% CI 45.7% to 58.0%) of the women were either overweight or obese based on their body mass index. Approximately 58.8% (95% CI 53.8% to 63.6%) of WRA surveyed reported three to five risk factors for developing NCDs and PE/E in future pregnancies.ConclusionsThe study identified a high prevalence of NCDs and associated PE/E risk factors in surveyed women, signifying the importance of early detection and intervention for modifiable NCD and associated PE/E risk factors in WRA. Further research is necessary to assess the national prevalence of NCDs.