Abstract
BackgroundNon-communicable diseases (NCDs) are showing an increasing trend globally as well as in China. Elderly population are more prone to these NCDs. Situation in China is worse owing to the higher proportion of geriatric population. Burden of NCDs and the role of their socio-demographic and behavioral predictors among these elderly and more so among the ethnic minority groups among them, need to be investigated specifically, owing to their distinct genetic background, lifestyles and behavior.MethodsA cross-sectional study was conducted among 1329 randomly selected persons of Uyghur ethnicity, aged 60 years or more in Xinjiang, the largest administrative division in China to measure the burden of NCDs, understand the distribution of socio-demographic, behavioral and life event-related potential correlates of them and to estimate the association of the NCDs with these correlates.ResultsAmong these participants 54.2% were female, 86.8% were married and more than half had only attended elementary school or less. 41.46% was suffering from at least one NCD. 20.22% had one NCD, 12.11% had two and 8.58% had three or more. 27.3% had hypertension, 4.06% had diabetes, 6.02% had hyperlipidemia, 7.37% had angina, 14.52% had cardiovascular diseases, 11.59% had any kind of cancers and 9.78% had chronic obstructive pulmonary diseases. Rural residents (OR = 1.45, 95% CI: 1.17–1.80, AOR = 2.00, 95% CI: 1.53–2.61) and current smokers had higher odds of having more NCDs (AOR = 1.53, 95% CI: 1.00–2.34). Additionally not being satisfied with current life, not being able to take care of self in daily life, currently not being involved in farm work, less intake of fresh vegetables, fruits and garlic, too less or too much salt intake, not having hobbies were found to be positively associated with having more NCDs.ConclusionImplementation of effective intervention strategies to promote healthy life styles among the Uyghur elderly population of China seems urgent.
Highlights
Non-communicable diseases (NCDs) have culminated into a major public health challenge worldwide, killing more than 35 million people each year and accounting for two-thirds of the cumulative global deaths [1]
Fifty-four participants (4.06%) reported that they were diagnosed with diabetes before (5.56% among female and 2.30% among male), 80 participants had hyperlipidemia (6.02%)
After further adjustment for age and marital status, the results did not change much, compared to model one. In this cross-sectional survey involving a comprehensive sample of Uyghur elderly residents (60 years old or more) of Xinjiang district of China, the prevalence of NCDs like hypertension (27.31%), cancers (11.59%), chronic obstructive pulmonary diseases (COPD) (9.78%) and coronary heart disease/valvular heart disease (CHD) (14.52%) were measured. 8.58% participants reported that they had three or more kinds of listed NCDs
Summary
Non-communicable diseases (NCDs) have culminated into a major public health challenge worldwide, killing more than 35 million people each year and accounting for two-thirds of the cumulative global deaths [1]. Over the past few decades, NCDs have emerged at a much faster rate in China than in western countries [2,4]. Based on the current trend, it is predicted that over two decades, number of NCDs among people over 40 will become double or even triple in this country [6]. In a nationwide population based survey among residents aged 50 years or more, during 2010, selfreported prevalence of hypertension, diabetes, angina and stroke were estimated to be 27%, 7%, 8% and 3%, respectively [9]. Non-communicable diseases (NCDs) are showing an increasing trend globally as well as in China. Burden of NCDs and the role of their socio-demographic and behavioral predictors among these elderly and more so among the ethnic minority groups among them, need to be investigated owing to their distinct genetic background, lifestyles and behavior
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