Dyslipidemias: Prevalence and Associated Factors among Lactating Women in a Lower- and Middle-Income Country, Ghana

Background. Dyslipidemia, an abnormally high level of lipids in the blood, has a negative impact on the health status of the individual and has lately emerged as a major public health concern, especially for low- and middle-income countries (LMIC) globally, including Ghana. However, it is still unclear what the burden and drivers of these lipid abnormalities are, especially among lactating women in the Upper West of Ghana. Thus, this study is aimed at determining the prevalence of dyslipidemia and its associated factors among lactating mothers in the Wa Municipality of Ghana. Methodology. A cross-sectional study was conducted from May to June 2020 in 8 health facilities within the Wa Municipality. Multistage and simple random sampling methods were used to select the facilities and the 200 study subjects. Sociodemographic data were collected using questionnaires, while blood samples were taken to determine the lipid profile of participants. Dietary patterns were also assessed using the Food Frequency Questionnaire (FFQ). Data were processed and analyzed using SPSS 17 software (SPSS, Inc., Chicago, IL). The chi-square test and multiple regression analysis were performed to determine the predictors associated with the various types of dyslipidemia, with statistical significance set at a p value < 0.05. Results. The prevalence of hypercholesterolemia (LDL-C), hypo-HDL-cholesterolemia, and hypertriglyceridemia (TG) was 57%, 59%, and 22%, respectively. Chi-square and multinomial regression analysis revealed that duration of lactation (X2=3.95, p=0.047), religion (AOR=0.375, 95% CI 0.144-0.978, p=0.045), low income (AOR=0.116, 95% CI 0.026-0.514, p=0.005), middle income (AOR=0.163, 95% CI 0.044-0.600, p=0.006), and alcohol intake (AOR=6.312, 95% CI 1.108-35.949, p=0.038) were associated with LDL-C, while age (AOR=0.963, 95% CI 0.910-1.019, p<0.001) and educational status (AOR=0.365, 95% CI 0.140-0.954, p=0.040) predicted HDL status. Conclusion. Dyslipidemia is common among lactating mothers of Wa Municipality, and it is predicted by lifestyle factors. Furthermore, future research to look at a larger sample size on dyslipidemia during lactation is recommended.