The relationship between socio economic status and health metrics in adults. A case of South Western Township, South Africa

Abstract

There is an increasing number of people dying due to non-communicable diseases such as cardiovascular disease in South Africa and globally. The differences in socio economic status allows others to receive resources, buying powers and privileges while others remain disadvantaged. The aim of the study was to investigate the impact of socio-economic status on health metrics; blood pressure and adiposity in adults based in the SOWETO Township. Data used in the study was obtained from an ongoing South African Hypertension and Diet Study (SAHDS) that began in 2002. A total of 1211 people were selected from the SAHDS study. These participants had measurements of blood pressure, body mass index, and waist circumference. They also had a questionnaire with a record of their employment status, education level, and presence or absence of diabetes and hypertension. Moreover, those who smoked cigarettes and consumed alcohol were also recorded. The studied population sample had an average age of 44±18, with body mass index (BMI) measurements of 29.5±8.0 kg/m2 with men having a BMI of 24.9±5.2 kg/m2 while women had a BMI measurement of 31.9±8.0 kg/m2. An average waist circumference (WC) reading of the total population was 90.6±16.9, men had a WC of 85.5±14.5 cm while women had a WC of 93.4±17.5 cm. Those who smoked cigarette accounted for 15.2% of the whole population studied with men accounting for a highest percentage (32.8%) than women (5.7%). Those who consumed alcohol were 20.8% in total, men had the higher percentage of alcohol consumption (34.75) than women (13.3%). Approximately 41% of the population was hypertensive, while 8.8% were diabetic, women were more hypertensive (42.8%) than men (36.5%). There was a negative correlation between BMI measurements and education level (R2 = -0.13, p = 0.0049) and salary (R2 = - 0.18, p < 0.0001). However, there was a positive correlation seen between BMI and pension (R2 = 0.19, p < 0.0001) as well as unemployment (R2 = 0.19, p < 0.0001). There was a negative correlation observed between waist circumference and education level (R2 = -0.13, p = 0.0001), pension (R2 = -0.26, p <0.0001) and salary (R2 = -0.18, p <0.0001). Whilst there was a positive correlation observed between waist circumference and unemployment (R2 = 0.25, p < 0.0001). The systolic and diastolic blood pressure measurements revealed a negative correlation with education level (R2 = -0.21, p < 0.0001), (R2 = -0.13, p = 0.0001) respectively and salary for systolic (R2 = -0.13, p < 0.0006) and diastolic (R2 = -0.10, p = 0.0135). However, positive correlation 5 was observed between systolic and diastolic measurements and pension (R2 = 0.34, < 0.0001), (R2 = 0.10, p = 0.0018) respectively as well as unemployment (R2 = 0.29, p < 0.0001), (R2 = 0.10, p = 0.0218) respectively. There was high prevalence of hypertension in this population. It can be concluded that socioeconomic status determines adiposity and hypertension in the SOWETO community. Therefore, to reduce the high prevalence of hypertension and obesity in this population, future study should concentrate on addressing the impact of socio-economic disparities.