Abstract
The study attempted to identify the prevalence and distribution of risk factors of non-communicable diseases among urban and rural population in Gujarat, India. Using the WHO stepwise approach, a cross-sectional study was carried out among 1,805 urban and 1,684 rural people of 15-64 years age-group. Information on behavioural and physiological risk factors of non-communicable diseases was obtained through standardized protocol. High prevalence of smoking (22.8%) and the use of smokeless tobacco (43.4%) were observed among rural men compared to urban men (smoking-12.8% and smokeless tobacco consumption-23.1%). There was a significant difference in the average consumption of fruits and vegetables between urban (2.18 +/- 1.59 servings) and rural (1.78 +/- 1.48 servings) area. Prevalence of overweight and obesity was observed to be high among urban men and women in all age-groups compared to rural men and women. Prevalence of behavioural risk factors, overweight, and obesity increased with age in both the areas. Twenty-nine percent of the urban residents and 15.4% of the rural residents were found to have raised blood pressure, and the difference was found to be statistically significant (p < 0.01). For both men and women, the prevalence of overweight and obesity, hypertension, and lack of physical activities were significantly higher in the urban population while smoking, smokeless tobacco consumption, poor consumption of fruits and vegetables were more prevalent in the rural population. The results highlight the need for interventions and approaches for the prevention of risk factors of non-communicable diseases in rural and urban areas.
Highlights
India is a diverse country, and many states in India are passing through an epidemiological health transition with high rates of urbanization
Prevalence and mean level of risk factors in different age-groups and in both the sexes are displayed in Table 2 and 3
High prevalence of smoking among rural men compared to urban men is comparable with the findings of a study in Delhi conducted by Indian Council of Medical Research (ICMR) in collaboration with WHO [15]
Summary
India is a diverse country, and many states in India are passing through an epidemiological health transition with high rates of urbanization. Urbanization has led to economic improvement, the consequences of which is increased food consumption, tobacco-use, and decreased physical activity. One of the effects of this economic transition is a shift in the disease spectrum from communicable to non-communicable diseases (NCDs) [1]. NCDs, especially cardiovascular disease, diabetes mellitus, and stroke, have emerged as a major public-health problem in India. The morbidity and mortality in most productive phase of life is posing serious challenges to Indian society and economy [2]. The huge burden of cardiovascular diseases in the Indian Subcontinent is the consequence of the large
Sign-in/Register to view highlights & summary Sign-in/Register to access full text options 
Free) 
Talk to us
Join us for a 30 min session where you can share your feedback and ask us any queries you have
Schedule a call
