Prevalence of Risk-Factors of Non-Communicable Diseases among Rural Adults

Abstract

Non-communicable diseases are the leading cause of death in the world, as well as in India. India is facing a growing burden of non-communicable diseases. NCDs accounts for 53% of deaths in India in 2008. The four main types of non-communicable diseases are cardiovascular diseases (like heart attacks and stroke), cancers, chronic respiratory diseases (such as chronic obstructed pulmonary disease and asthma) and diabetes. The important risk factors identified for NCDs are tobacco use, alcohol intake, unhealthy diet, physical inactivity, over weight, obesity, high blood pressure. Non-communicable diseases (NCDs), especially cardiovascular diseases, cancers and Type 2 diabetes mellitus account for 53% and 44% of all deaths and disability-adjusted life years (DALYs) respectively in India in 2013. To reduce NCDs and its risk factors high impact essential NCD interventions are available that can be delivered through a primary health-care approach to strengthen early detection and timely treatment. There are various studies, which have been conducted in the different parts of country. In these studies, the prevalence of modifiable risk factors of NCDs has been area of interest. Despite many efforts has been taken in the field of prevention of risk factors for NCDs, still NCDs are the leading cause of death in the world as well as in India. Moreover, if modifiable risk factors are identified earlier it can decrease the burden of NCDs. To provide the interventions for the prevention of NCDs; we have to estimate the prevalence of risk factors for NCDs. Descriptive research approach was adopted for the present study. Systematic random sampling technique was used to select 105 adults from 392 households. The research setting was rural area. Inclusion criteria for the current study was that the adults of age between 25 and 60 years. WHO STEPS with questionnaire was used to collect the data. The data was collected in the month of March 2015. Data was analyzed by using SPSS16 and results were presented in graphs, figures, pies and tables. The result of present study revealed that the prevalence of smoking and smokeless tobacco among rural adults was 20% and 15.2% respectively. Related to alcohol use 27.6% were current users. The large proportion i.e., 88.5% of study subjects, were doing moderate level of activity. Majority 77.1 % and 74.2% of total subjects were consuming one serving of fruits and vegetables per day respectively. One third of the study subjects were overweight (i.e., BMI 23–26.9) and 24.7% subjects were obese (i.e., BMI>27). Prevalence of hypertension in the present study was found to be 39%. The findings of current study revealed the high prevalence of certain non-communicable disease risk factors in rural areas. It emphasizes that the need to address these issues as a part of NCDs prevention, control strategies and calls for a sound public health approach. There is need to strengthen the existing surveillance system so as to monitor, evaluate and guide policies and programme. In the present study, risk factors like smoking, use of smokeless tobacco, overweight, increased blood pressure and poor consumption of fruits and vegetables are the areas of concern in rural area. These results highlight the needs for interventions for the prevention and control of NCD risk factors.

Keywords: WHO STEPS, risk factors, prevalence, non-communicable diseases

 Cite this Article

Kaur J., Kapoor N., Vaundal S., Narang K., Geetanjali, Ghai S. Prevalence of Risk-Factors of Non-Communicable Diseases Among Rural Adults. Journal of Nursing Science and Practice. 2016; 6(1): 43–48p.