BMC Public Health
Volume 10, 2010

Rural to urban migration and changes in cardiovascular risk factors in Tanzania: A prospective cohort study (Article) (Open Access)

Unwin N.* , James P. , McLarty D. , MacHybia H. , Nkulila P. , Tamin B. , Nguluma M. , McNally R.
  • a Institute of Health and Society, Newcastle University, Newcastle, NE2 4AX, United Kingdom
  • b Institute of Health and Society, Newcastle University, Newcastle, NE2 4AX, United Kingdom
  • c Institute of Health and Society, Newcastle University, Newcastle, NE2 4AX, United Kingdom
  • d Regional Medical Officer, PO Box 259, Mbeya, Tanzania
  • e Morogoro Regional Hospital, PO Box 110, Morogoro, Tanzania
  • f Muhimbili University of Health and Allied Sciences, PO Box 65001, Dar es Salaam, Tanzania
  • g Morogoro Regional Hospital, PO Box 110, Morogoro, Tanzania
  • h Institute of Health and Society, Newcastle University, Newcastle, NE2 4AX, United Kingdom

Abstract

Background. High levels of rural to urban migration are a feature of most African countries. Our aim was to investigate changes, and their determinants, in cardiovascular risk factors on rural to urban migration in Tanzania. Methods. Men and women (15 to 59 years) intending to migrate from Morogoro rural region to Dar es Salaam for at least 6 months were identified. Measurements were made at least one week but no more than one month prior to migration, and 1 to 3 monthly after migration. Outcome measures included body mass index, blood pressure, fasting lipids, and self reported physical activity and diet. Results. One hundred and three men, 106 women, mean age 29 years, were recruited and 132 (63.2%) followed to 12 months. All the figures presented here refer to the difference between baseline and 12 months in these 132 individuals. Vigorous physical activity declined (79.4% to 26.5% in men, 37.8% to 15.6% in women, p < 0.001), and weight increased (2.30 kg men, 2.35 kg women, p < 0.001). Intake of red meat increased, but so did the intake of fresh fruit and vegetables. HDL cholesterol increased in men and women (0.24, 0.25 mmoll -1 respectively, p < 0.001); and in men, not women, total cholesterol increased (0.42 mmoll-1, p = 0.01), and triglycerides fell (0.31 mmoll-1, p = 0.034). Blood pressure appeared to fall in both men and women. For example, in men systolic blood pressure fell by 5.4 mmHg, p = 0.007, and in women by 8.6 mmHg, p = 0.001. Conclusion. The lower level of physical activity and increasing weight will increase the risk of diabetes and cardiovascular disease. However, changes in diet were mixed, and may have contributed to mixed changes in lipid profiles and a lack of rise in blood pressure. A better understanding of the changes occurring on rural to urban migration is needed to guide preventive measures. © 2010 Unwin et al; licensee BioMed Central Ltd.

Author Keywords

[No Keywords available]

Index Keywords

urban population prospective study blood pressure exercise Cardiovascular Diseases Prospective Studies human middle aged statistics Cohort Studies rural population comparative study diet Humans cardiovascular disease male Emigrants and Immigrants female risk factor Risk Factors Article adult migration Tanzania cohort analysis Emigration and Immigration body mass Body Mass Index
Link
https://www.scopus.com/inward/record.uri?eid=2-s2.0-77952500771&doi=10.1186%2f1471-2458-10-272&partnerID=40&md5=3a3cb881fd9d13f679ff3ce97f8874b8
DOI: 10.1186/1471-2458-10-272
ISSN: 14712458
Cited by: 37
Original Language: English