A cohort study comparing cardiovascular risk factors in rural Māori, urban Māori and non-Māori communities in New Zealand
NZ Literature Abstract
posted by HIIRC Admin on 15 June 2012
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Authors
Vicky A. Cameron
Allamanda Faatoese
Tawhirimatea Gillies
Paul Robertson
Tania Huria
Robert N. Doughty
Gillian A. Whalley
Mark Richards
Richard Troughton
Karen Tikao-Mason
J. E. Wells
Ian G. Sheerin
Suzanne Pitama
Year of Publication
2012
Source
BMJ Open, 2:e000799 doi:10.1136/bmjopen-2011-000799
Publication Type
Journal article (peer reviewed)
Publication Status
Completed
Abstract
The objective of this prospective cohort study was to understand health disparities in cardiovascular disease (CVD) in Māori. Diagnosed and undiagnosed CVD risk factors were compared in rural Māori in an area remote from health services with urban Māori and non-Māori in a city well served with health services. Hauora Manawa is a cohort study of diagnosed and previously undiagnosed CVD, diabetes and risk factors, based on random selection from electoral rolls of the rural Wairoa District and Christchurch City. Screening clinics were attended by 252 rural Māori, 243 urban Māori and 256 urban non-Māori, aged 20–64 years. The mean age (SD) was 45.7 (11.5) versus 42.6 (11.2) versus 43.6 (11.5) years in rural Māori, urban Māori and non-Māori, respectively. Age-adjusted rates of diagnosed cardiac disease were not significantly different across the cohorts. However, rural Māori had significantly higher levels of type-2 diabetes, diagnosed hypertension, treated dyslipidaemia, current smoking and age-adjusted body mass index. Similarly high rates of previously undocumented elevated blood pressure and high cholesterol were observed across all cohorts. The authors conclude that supporting integrated rural healthcare to provide screening and management of CVD risk factors would reduce health disparities in this indigenous population.
Type of Study
Prospective cohort study
How to Access
This is an open access article that is available to read in full text at: http://www.bmjopen.bmj.com/content/2/3/e000799.full