Abstract
Introduction: Understanding perceptions of non-communicable diseases (NCDs) is pivotal for enhancing primary prevention programs and health literacy. Objective: To assess perceptions and attitudes toward NCDs in five distinct countries. Methods: A cross-sectional study was conducted using the "Measuring Public Perceptions of Noncommunicable Diseases" survey by Gallup (2022). The sample encompassed 7,029 participants from the United States, Colombia, Jordan, Tanzania, and India, selected through probability-based sampling. The survey involved 15 sociodemographic variables and 97 questions related to knowledge, perceptions, and attitudes toward NCDs. We focused our analysis on cardiometabolic diseases and cancer. Results: Over 89% of respondents across all countries considered NCDs to be harmful, although perceptions were lower in India and Jordan, particularly for diabetes and stroke. Gender-based differences were notable in these countries; women in India and men in Jordan were less likely to view stroke as harmful. Support for public policies varied by country; participants from Jordan showed greater support for alcohol taxes, whereas India demonstrated lower support for tobacco control. Cancer was generally perceived as highly harmful, but along with stroke showed the least perceived empowerment for risk reduction. Television was the preferred source of health information, and high levels of trust were placed in healthcare personnel across countries. Individuals with higher education and income were more aware of the detrimental impacts of NCDs and felt more empowered to mitigate them, and older participants showed a diminished perception of their harm (Table 1). Conclusion: The data highlights varied perceptions of harm and empowerment across countries, affecting receptivity to different public policies such as taxation and advertising restrictions. Understanding these disparities is crucial for crafting efficient healthcare interventions tailored to specific populations.
Published Version
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