Multiple Risk Factors and Disparities associated with Heart Disease and Stroke among Mississippi Delta Women

Introduction Prevalence of multiple risk factors (MRFs) for heart disease and stroke (HDS) in Mississippi is among the highest in the United States. In Mississippi, black women experience a disproportionately greater burden of HDS than white women. However, risk factor disparity in Mississippi Delta women is unknown. We examine MRFs for HDS by race, age, socioeconomic status (SES) and healthcare coverage among Mississippi Delta adult women. Methods Self-reported Behavioral Risk Factor Surveillance System data (2007-2010; N=5,390) for Mississippi Delta women were subjected to descriptive and multivariate logistic regression analyses. Hypertension, hyperlipidemia, diabetes, smoking, obesity and physical inactivity were assessed. MRFs are defined as having ≥ 2 of these factors. Differences in distribution of MRFs by race, age, SES (income, education and employment) and healthcare coverage were examined.

Results Data indicate risk factor prevalence for obesity (66.1%), diabetes (12.6%), hypertension (38.6%), smoking (19.2%), hyperlipidemia (41.9%) and physical inactivity (38.0%). Over half (52.0%) of women reported MRFs. Women with less than high school education (AOR=1.8; 95% CI=1.39-2.41), household income less than $10,000 (AOR=2.5, 95% CI=1.74-3.62), no healthcare coverage (AOR=1.3, 95% CI=1.03-1.77) and those age 50-64 (AOR=2.4, 95% CI=1.86-3.03) were more likely to have MRFs compared to their counterparts. Adjusted odds ratios for MRFs were not significantly different by race and employment.

Conclusion Data highlight that a substantial proportion of Mississippi Delta women have MRFs for HDS. Understanding the mechanisms associated with MRF disparity in Mississippi Delta women will inform practitioners and interventionists.