Socio-Economic and Demographic Correlates of Non-communicable Disease Risk Factors Among Adults in Saudi Arabia.

Mpho Keetile,Mohammed Khaled Al-Hanawi

doi:10.3389/fmed.2021.605912

Abstract

Background: Over the past two decades, Saudi Arabia has made significant improvements in its population's health standards. These improvements have been coupled with an increase in risk factors related to non-communicable diseases (NCD) and a dramatic shift in the burden of disease profile. This study aims to provide empirical evidence on the socio-economic and demographic correlates of NCD risk factors among adults in Saudi Arabia.Methods: The data used for this study is secondary data derived from the Saudi Health Interview Survey (SHIS) conducted in 2013. The SHIS used a cross-sectional survey design to derive a multistage representative sample of adults to estimate the prevalence of NCD risk factors. Risk factors considered for analyses in this study were; current tobacco use, low fruit and vegetable consumption, low physical activity, overweight/obesity and hypertension. The survey covered all regions in Saudi Arabia using probability proportional to size measures. A total of 10,735 adults aged 15 years and above completed the survey questionnaire. Logistic regression analysis was conducted to examine the socio-economic and demographic correlates of NCD risk factors among adults in Saudi Arabia.Results: The prevalence of NCD risk factors were as follows: current tobacco use, 12.1%; low fruit and vegetable consumption, 87%; low physical activity, 94.9%; overweight/obesity 65.1%; and hypertension, 37.5%. The multivariate analysis results indicate that significant correlates of overweight/obesity and hypertension were being female, a government employee, income level, and education levels. On the other hand, current tobacco use and low fruit and vegetable consumption were generally associated with age, self-employment and being a student. For lifestyle factors, overweight/obesity was high among individuals who reported low fruit and vegetable consumption, while hypertension was high among current tobacco users and overweight/obese adults. All comparisons were statistically significant at p < 0.05.Conclusions: This study's findings indicate a high prevalence of chronic NCD risk factors in Saudi Arabia's adult population. This study implied that there is a need for a reduction in life-damaging behaviors among the adults through the adoption of healthy lifestyles such as physical activity and nutritious diets. Moreover, a reduction in the prevalence of chronic NCD risk factors among different socio-economic groups in Saudi Arabia through healthy lifestyles will have far-reaching results.

Highlights

The evidence available across the world has shown that the majority of countries are experiencing an increase in non-communicable diseases (NCD) risk factors, which are observed to be prevalent in people of all age groups, among poor and non-poor people and across the gender divide [1]
The Saudi Ministry of Health (MOH) collaborated with the Institute for Health Metrics and Evaluation (IHME) and the University of Washington to conduct a nationally representative survey, which was used to estimate the prevalence of some of the NCD risk factors through an interview, and physical examination of study participants including weight, height and blood pressure which were measured by a trained professional [12]
Overall the study findings indicate that modifiable NCD risk factors—low physical activity, low fruit vegetable and consumption, current tobacco use, overweight/obesity and hypertension—are significantly high in the adult population of the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia (KSA), which is accounted for by the significant economic and political progress that contributes vastly to different changes in disease risk factors and burdens

Summary

Introduction

The evidence available across the world has shown that the majority of countries are experiencing an increase in NCD risk factors, which are observed to be prevalent in people of all age groups, among poor and non-poor people and across the gender divide [1]. Behavioral risk factors include excessive alcohol consumption, tobacco use, physical inactivity and an unhealthy diet [4]. These lifestyle factors lead to conditions such as metabolic or physiological changes, including overweight or obesity and raised blood pressure. Over the past two decades, Saudi Arabia has made significant improvements in its population’s health standards These improvements have been coupled with an increase in risk factors related to non-communicable diseases (NCD) and a dramatic shift in the burden of disease profile.

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Conclusion