Serum Lipid Profile of Apparently Healthy Adults in a Rural Community in Benue State

Dyslipidaemia is a recognized cardiovascular risk factor whose prevalence in rural Nigerian populations remains undercharacterized relative to urban cohorts, limiting the development of targeted preventive interventions in underserved communities. This study determines the serum lipid profile of apparently healthy adults in a rural community in Gwer West LGA, Benue State. Three hundred and twenty apparently healthy adults aged between twenty and sixty years were recruited through community outreach, with clinical and dietary histories taken to exclude known metabolic conditions. Fasting blood samples were collected and serum analysed for total cholesterol, triglycerides, high-density lipoprotein cholesterol (HDL-C), and low-density lipoprotein cholesterol (LDL-C) using standard enzymatic colorimetric methods on a semi-automated analyser. Very low-density lipoprotein and atherogenic index of plasma were calculated from derived parameters. Results show a mean total cholesterol of 4.21 millimoles per litre, mean triglycerides of 1.38 millimoles per litre, and mean HDL-C of 1.12 millimoles per litre. Approximately eighteen percent of participants showed borderline elevated total cholesterol, while fourteen percent had HDL-C below the cardioprotective threshold. Significant differences were observed between male and female lipid profiles, with men showing lower HDL-C and higher triglycerides. Age above forty was associated with significantly higher total and LDL cholesterol. The results provide baseline lipid reference data for this rural Benue population and highlight the need for cardiovascular risk screening in rural community health programmes. Keywords: serum lipid profile, dyslipidaemia, rural community, cardiovascular risk, Benue State.