Pooled Preventive Behaviors for Main Chronic Non-Communicable Diseases as a Double Burden of Public Health among Healthcare Students, Southwest Ethiopia

Abstract

Background: Non-communicable chronic disease is a life-treating disease that can be prevented but not cured. Reducing risks, promoting healthy life at early age reduces the burden of chronic diseases currently account for almost 60% of all deaths and 43% of the global burden of disease. As a result of an epidemiological transition attributed to increased urbanization, westernization, and globalization, many African countries are experiencing lifestyle change that results a “double burden” alongside to infectious diseases. Cardiovascular diseases, cancer, chronic obstructive pulmonary disease and type two diabetes are the most four prominent chronic diseases globally. Objective: To assess preventive behavior for main chronic diseases among Aman healthcare students. Methods: A cross-sectional study design was employed in May 2015 at Aman Health Science College using health belief model. A stratified sampling technique was used to select 267students. An adapted self-administered questioner and calibrated measuring scale were used to collect data. A summery descriptive and, binary and multivariate logistic regression was applied to describe the functional predictors of preventive behavior. Ethical clearance of the study was obtained from institutional review committee. Result: Majority of the study participants 190 (73·9%) were females and the mean age was 20·24 year (± 2·42 SD). Majority of the respondent 214 (83·3%) were centrally obese. Independent predictor of preventive behavior for chronic disease were being college stay 3rd year [OR: 2·06, 95% CI: (1·08, 3·94)], being educated about chronic disease [OR: 2·99, 95% CI: (1·64, 5·45)], and perceived susceptibility and severity to chronic disease [OR: 2·97, 95% CI: (2·04, 5·38)], and [OR: 2·00, 95% CI: (1·12, 3·57)], respectively. Conclusion: the disparity level of preventive behavior for chronic disease was well explained by knowledge and perceived threat. Cognizant of this fact, I recommend that integrated behavioral change communication education emphasized on perceived treat should be strengthening to reduce the burden of life-treating chronic diseases.