Abstract

Agnes Magwete, Hilda Tarisai Matarira Mamello Priscilla Sifiko, Floyd Tokwe and Dr. Donald M. Tanyanyiwa*

ABSTRACT

Background: High-density lipoprotein (HDL) cholesterol has been shown to be associated with a reduced risk of coronary heart disease. It has also been demonstrated that HDL level varies with ethnicity and gender. Gender difference studies have been done in several countries and in some cases, black participants were included but there are no records on studies from Africa. Therefore, this study is meant to stimulate for research on HDL in Africa. We investigated the gender difference in HDL cholesterol level in Black Africans in Southern Africa. Results: A total of 10,555 lipid profiles were retrieved of which 63.9% (6745/10555) were females with a median age 58 years (95%CI 56.7 – 57.4years) and 36.1% (3810/10555) were males with a median age 53 years (95%CI 52.5 – 53.5years). Females had a median HDL of 1.3mmol/L (95%CI 1.28 – 1.31mmol/L) and males had median HDL of 1.2mmol/L (95%CI 1.23 – 1.26). Conclusion: The mean gender difference in HDL level of 0.048 mmol/L (1.85 mg/dL) in this population is lower than those observed in studies conducted in European, American and Asian countries.