Heart and Lung Disease Among Women of Reproductive Age in Benin: Prevalence and Determinants

Sub-Saharan Africa (SSA) countries are facing an epidemiological shift from infectious diseases to chronic diseases, such as cardiovascular diseases (CVDs). The burden of CVDs in a population results from the persistence of several factors. This study was to determine the prevalence and determinants of heart and lung disease. We used Benin Demographic and Health Survey (BDHS) population-based cross-sectional data. BDHS 2017–18 is the fifth of its kind. A total of 7712 women of reproductive age were included in this study. Heart and lung diseases were the outcome variables. Percentage and logistic regression model were used. The level of statistical significance was set at 5%. The prevalence of heart disease was 1.3% (95% CI: 1.0–1.7%) and lung disease was approximately 1.5% (95% CI: 1.2–1.9%). Women who had diabetes were 3.57 times as likely to have heart disease when compared with those who did not have diabetes (AOR = 3.57; 95% CI: 1.51–8.45). Furthermore, women who had diabetes were 4.55 times as likely to have lung diseases when compared with those who did not have diabetes (AOR = 4.55; 95% CI: 2.06–10.06). Women who had hypertension were 3.18 times as likely to have heart disease when compared with those who had no hypertension (AOR = 3.18; 95% CI: 2.02–4.98). Women’s geographical region was also significantly associated with heart and lung disease. Diabetes, hypertension, and geographical region were determinants of heart and lung disease. Health policymakers and government need to focus on widespread prevention and control interventions of heart and lung disease through improved screening for risk factors and early detection especially among high-risk women. The government should also create nationwide awareness and educate people about heart and lung disease and its fatality rate.