Socioeconomic inequalities of hypercholesterolemia in Kurdistan Province, Iran, in 2005

BACKGROUND: Hypercholesterolemia is one of the main risk factors for many non-communicable diseases (NCDs). Many deaths caused by hypercholesterolemia usually occur in low and middle income countries. The aim of the present study was to determine the socioeconomic inequality in the distribution of hypercholesterolemia in Kurdistan Province, Iran, in 2005. METHODS: The data used in this study were obtained from the results of the Non-Communicable Disease Surveillance Survey (NCDSS) conducted in 2005 in Kurdistan Province. In this study, the socioeconomic status (SES) of participants was determined based on their assets and residential location and using the principal component analysis (PCA) statistical method. The levels of inequality in 5 different socioeconomic groups were determined by calculating the concentration index, comparing odds ratio (OR), and through using logistic regression method. RESULTS: The prevalence of hypercholesterolemia in the studied subjects was 38.5% [confidence interval (95% CI): 36, 41]. The concentration index of hypercholesterolemia was -0.031 (95% CI: -0.070, 0.009). Moreover, the OR of hypercholesterolemia in the richest group, compared with the poorest, was 0.82 (0.59 to -1.13). CONCLUSION: In this study, the relationship between socioeconomic status and risk of hypercholesterolemia was not statistically significant; however, usually, SES is associated with hypercholesterolemia. In the comparison of different countries, distribution of hypercholesterolemia in different SES levels depends on the level of development, gross national product (GNP) per capita, and level of income in each country. Inequalities in the distribution of risk factors for hypercholesterolemia can be reduced through increasing disadvantaged groups’ access to health care services and planning special programs for inequality reduction.