Cardiovascular Morbidity and Mortality in Sub-Saharan Africa; Wide Hospital Survey in Democratic Republic of Congo

Authors: Limbole Bakilo E*, Nkarnkwin DS, Womba L, Atheno V, Kika M, Booto J, Wiyaka R, Ekeba M and Ngoma G

DOI: 10.23880/jqhe-16000401

Volume 7, Issue 4

Abstract

Background: Cardiovascular diseases are the leading cause of death worldwide. In Sub-Saharan Africa, alongside infectious diseases which once constituted the main burden of mortality, we are witnessing a meteoric rise in cardiovascular diseases. However, the evidence is still lacking in Subsaharan Africa. The objective of this study was to determine, over a ten-year period, the burden of major cardiovascular diseases in hospital morbidity and mortality in a large sub-saharan african city, Kinshasa. Methods: This is a study relating to the descriptive epidemiology of cardiovascular diseases covering a period of ten years, from 2007 to 2016, conducted in the main hospital facilities in the city of Kinshasa, a city of more than 10 million. of inhabitants. Results: A total of 62,553 patients were listed; cardiovascular pathologies affected 19,480 patients, representing 31% of all patients hospitalized in the medical sector. Deaths concerned 10,790 patients, i.e. an overall mortality rate of 17%, and 3,814 patients died of cardiac causes, i.e. 35% of all deaths. Stroke accounted for 53% of cardiovascular morbidity, 16.6% of overall morbidity, 55.7% of cardiovascular mortality and 19.7% of overall mortality. From 2007 to 2016, cardiovascular diseases experienced a significant increase in hospital morbidity, going from 36.4 to 39.4% (P=0.0001), unlike other diseases. Conclusion: The present study confirms the alarming progression of cardiovascular diseases in Sub-Saharan Africa where it constitutes a major public health problem. Stroke is the leading cause of cardiovascular morbidity and mortality. Given the current insufficiency of medical infrastructure and human resources in this area, prevention constitutes, more in Sub-Saharan Africa than elsewhere, the best way to reduce the burden of these diseases.

Keywords: Cardiovascular Morbidity and Mortality; Stroke; Sub-Saharan Africa; Democratic Republic of Congo

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