Risk factors for non-communicable diseases in villages of Tamil Nadu - A survey

Abstract

Background: Non-communicable diseases are among the leading causes of death in India, the rapid epidemiological transition as a consequence of economic and social changes is a major factor in the rise of patients suffering from non-communicable diseases (NCDs). Objectives: The objectives of the study were (1) to find out the prevalence of common risk factors among adults for NCDs, (2) to study the determinants of NCDs, and (3) to assess health-care seeking behavior and treatment adherence to NCDs. Material and Methods: The present study was undertaken in the field practice area of the Rural Health Training Center of the Department of Community Medicine, Sri Manakula Vinayagar Medical College and Hospital, Puducherry. It was a community-based cross-sectional study. A representative sample of 590 respondents was selected by two-stage cluster sampling. Chi-square tests were applied to find proportions. Confidence intervals values were constructed around the prevalence ratio values. Multivariate analysis (negative binomial regression) was done to get the adjusted prevalence ratio and to select the variables that best predict the risk of development of at least one NCD among the study sample. Results: The prevalence of at least one NCD (hypertension and or diabetes) among respondents was 18.1%. Most of the patients with hypertension and or diabetes received treatment from a public health facility (68.2%) followed by private health-care services (31.8%) at village/ town level. The major perceived reasons for non-compliance to treatment among patients were related to the high cost of treatment (28%) from private services and sense of wellbeing without medication (28%). In multivariate analysis, two variables emerged as significant predictors for developing at least one NCD were alcohol consumption and obesity. Conclusions: Obesity was found be an independent risk factor for developing NCD. Hence, preventive measures should be applied to reducing BMI in obese individuals. Special efforts must be made to improve physical activity and dietary habits of these individuals from an early age so that the occurrence of NCD can be prevented. Awareness regarding physical activity and a healthy diet can be given in schools and colleges as it may have a better impact on the community. Opportunistic screening for NCD should be done for all adults in the outpatient department irrespective of their symptoms for early diagnosis of NCD.