Hypercholesterolemia Prevalence, Awareness, Treatment and Control among the Elderly: The 2011 National Health and Morbidity Survey, Malaysia
K. Ambigga *
Faculty of Medicine and Defence Health, National Defence University of Malaysia, Malaysia
K. Jasvindar
Institute for Public Health, Malaysia.
K. Gurpreet
National Institute of Health Secretariat, Malaysia.
A. Suthahar
Faculty of Medicine and Health Sciences, Universiti Teknologi MARA, Malaysia and Faculty of Medicine and Health Sciences, Brain and Neuroscience Communities of Research, Universiti Teknologi MARA, Malaysia
B. K. Ho
Department of Selangor Health, Bandar Botanic Health Center, Malaysia.
S. M. Cheong
Institute for Public Health, Malaysia.
K. H. Lim
Institute for Public Health, Malaysia.
*Author to whom correspondence should be addressed.
Abstract
Aims: This study provides population-based estimates on the prevalence, awareness, treatment and control rates of hypercholesterolemia among the elderly in Malaysia.
Study Design: Analysis of secondary data from a cross sectional population-based survey was done.
Place and Duration of Study: This study was conducted throughout Malaysia in 2011.
Methodology: A total of 2764 respondents (15.5%) were selected in this study; the elderly subjects are from the secondary data analysis of 60 years and older.
Results: The overall prevalence of hypercholesterolemia was 55.4%. The awareness rate for hypercholesterolemia was 39.5%. Out of those who were aware, treatment with medication was conferred to 77.7%. Control rate for hypercholesterolemia was 53.8%. Utilising multiple logistic regression analysis, factors associated with higher awareness rate of hypercholesterolemia were urban residents, secondary education level and Indian ethnicity; the factor associated with higher treatment rates was government/semi government employees; factors associated with higher control rate were males and Indian ethnicity.
Conclusion: The overall prevalence, treatment and control rate of hypercholesterolemia among the elderly in Malaysia were high in comparison to awareness rate in this population.
Keywords: Hypercholesterolemia, elderly, Malaysia, prevalence, awareness, treatment, control