IJCM_174A: Lifestyle risk factors among homeless adults in Chennai- A Cross Sectional Study

Abstract

Background: India defines ‘homeless’ as those who do not live in Census houses, but rather stay on pavements, roadsides, railway platforms, staircases, temples, streets, in pipes, or other open spaces. According to 2018 GCC enumeration of urban homeless, there are 3764 men and 2962 women, in total 6726 adult population. As they have a relatively different lifestyle, it is essential to know about their lifestyle risk factors and their accessibility to healthcare. In order to attain our Sustainable Development goals, in particular SDG 3- it is essential to target the well being of the homeless population. Objective: To estimate the lifestyle risk factors among homeless population in Chennai. Methodology: All adults who were 18 years and above and who fit in the criteria for homeless where taken for the study and an Interviewer administered pre-designed questionnaire, under the following Socio Demographic Details, Behavioural Measurements which included tobacco use, alcohol consumption, diet, lifestyle advice and physical activity was used to ascertain the lifestyle risk factors among the homeless. Data was entered in MS excel and analyzed using SPSS-21. Results: Out of 341 participants, 70.7% were females,27.3% males and 2.1% transgender. 27.6% had a habit of smoking daily and among that 24.9% were using smokeless tobacco. 15% had a habit of drinking alcohol. In the past one year 57.2% had visited the hospital and 44% had visited a government facility. 27.3% did moderate work and 14.4% vigorious work. 1.5% had a habit of doing moderate exercise on a daily basis.76.8% and 54.8% had undergone screening for hypertension and diabetes mellitus respectively. Conclusion: Spreading awareness to the homeless population on lifestyle risk factors is essential to ensure their healthy living.