High prevalence of dyslipidemia and associated factors among adults in a national survey in Myanmar

The study aimed to assess the prevalence and correlates of dyslipidemia among adults in Myanmar. In the 2014 Myanmar cross-sectional STEPS survey, 7,058 participants had complete lipid measurements. Results indicate a prevalence of dyslipidemia of 69.7%. Among those with dyslipidemia, 115 (1.2%) were aware. In both sexes, older age (40-64 years) (AOR: 1.65, 95% CI: 1.35-2.00), compared to less than the fourth standard of education, eighth standard or more education (AOR: 1.52, 95% CI: 1.14-2.03), overweight (AOR: 3.39, 95% CI: 2.28-5.03), obesity class I (AOR: 2.93, 95% CI: 2.42-3.55), obesity class II (AOR: 2.48, 95% CI: 1.29-4.78), and current smoking (AOR: 1.41, 95% CI: 1.09-1.82) were positively associated with prevalence of dyslipidaemia. Male sex (AOR: 0.61, 95% CI: 0.50-0.74), having a general body underweight (AOR: 0.65, 95% CI: 0.50-0.84) and less than daily alcohol use (AOR: 0.74, 95% CI: 0.55-1.00) were negatively associated with dyslipidemia. In gender stratified analysis, only among women and not men, hypertension, and diabetes were positively associated with the prevalence of dyslipidemia. Seven out of ten adults in Myanmar had dyslipidemia, calling for public health interventions.