Prevalence and Associated Risk Factors for Hypercholesterolemia and Hypertension in Morocco

The burden of cardiovascular diseases has declined over time in high-income countries, while it has increased in low- and middle-income countries. We aimed to determine the prevalence and associated risk factors of hypercholesterolemia and hypertension among Moroccan adults. Cross-sectional data were analyzed from 1495 adults aged ≥18 years who participated in the national 2017 STEPS survey. Data collection was based on the WHO STEPwise (STEPS) approach. Hypothesized risk factors for hypercholesterolemia and hypertension were investigated using binary logistic regression analysis with adjusted odds ratios (AOR) for confounding factors. The overall prevalence of hypercholesterolemia and hypertension was 13.0% and 27.8%, respectively. The prevalence of hypercholesterolemia ranged between 8.9% in divorced/widowed individuals and 19.0% in those with hyperglycemia. The prevalence of hypertension varied from 14.7% among subjects with normal fasting blood glucose to 47.8% among those with hyperglycemia. After adjustment for confounding variables, overweight/obesity, abdominal obesity, alcohol consumption, and hyperglycemia were associated with increased risk for hypercholesterolemia (AOR=1.7, 95%CI: 1.21-2.38, P=0.002; AOR=1.78; 95%CI: 1.30-2.43, P<0.001; AOR=1.38; 95%CI: 0.81-2.35, P=0.242; and AOR=1.98; 95%CI: 1.46-2.69, P<0.001; respectively). However, female gender, post-primary education, and divorced/widowed status were associated with slightly lower odds of hypercholesterolemia. Similarly, being overweight/obese, abdominally obese, a past smoker, and hyperglycemic were linked to greater odds of hypertension (AOR=1.8; 95%CI: 1.31-2.49, P<0.001; AOR=1.61; 95%CI: 1.21-2.14, P=0.002; AOR=5.36; 95%CI: 3.98-7.27, P<0.001). In contrast, post-primary education and current smoking were related to a relatively lower risk for hypertension. Several risk factors were associated with hypercholesterolemia and hypertension, including general overweight/obesity, abdominal obesity, and hyperglycemia. Although further research is recommended to investigate the role of various risk factors in the development of hypercholesterolemia and hypertension, our findings underscore the need for urgent public health interventions to prevent and control these diseases.