NONCOMMUNICABLE DISEASES AMONG RELIGIOUS LEADERS IN JAMAICA

Abstract

Introduction: The World Health Organization indicated that 71 per cent of all deaths globally (41 million people) and 80 per cent of mortality in low-to-middle-income nations are accounted for by noncommunicable diseases (NCDs). However, there is sparse information on the prevalence of NCDs among religious leaders.
 Objectives: To evaluate the nature of NCDs among religious SDA leaders in Central Jamaica, 2) determine the extent of NCDs among religious SDA leaders in Central Jamaica, 3) assess the healthcare-seeking behaviour and prevalence of ill-health experienced among religious SDA leaders who reported having a NCDs, and 4) determine the per cent of religious SDA leaders who reported having hypertension and diabetes mellitus.
 Methods and materials: The current study employed a correlational cross-sectional design. The population for this research was leaders who serve in the Seventh-day Adventist churches in Central Jamaica (n=350). A standardized questionnaire was developed to collect data and evaluate the research objectives.
 Findings: The most prevalent NCDs were hypertension (28.9 per cent), high cholesterol and arthritis (18.6 per cent, each), chronic respiratory (8.8 per cent), and diabetes (8.5 per cent). Seventy-two and two tenths per cent of those who reported having an NCD sought medical care compared to 84.5 per cent of those who did not report an NCD (χ2(df=1)=4.231, P = 0.042). Leaders with NCDs were less likely to report good health than those who did not report NCDs (χ2(df=1)=25.048, P < 0.0001, ɸ= -0.352).
 Conclusion: NCDs among religious SDA leaders are showing worrying signs and these must be affecting their decision-making capabilities. 
 Keywords: Diabetes mellitus, good health status, noncommunicable diseases (NCDs), religious leaders, healthcare-seeking behaviour, hypertension, self-reported health status