Abstract
BackgroundChronic non-communicable diseases (NCDs) are becoming significant causes of morbidity and mortality, particularly in sub-Saharan African countries, although local, high-quality data to inform evidence-based policies are lacking.ObjectivesTo determine the magnitude of NCDs and their risk factors in Malawi.MethodsUsing the WHO STEPwise approach to chronic disease risk factor surveillance, a population-based, nationwide cross-sectional survey was conducted between July and September 2009 on participants aged 25–64 years. Socio-demographic and behaviour risk factors were collected in Step 1. Physical anthropometric measurements and blood pressure were documented in Step 2. Blood cholesterol and fasting blood glucose were measured in Step 3.Results and ConclusionA total of 5,206 adults (67% females) were surveyed. Tobacco smoking, alcohol drinking and raised blood pressure (BP) were more frequent in males than females, 25% vs 3%, 30% vs 4% and 37% vs 29%. Overweight, physical inactivity and raised cholesterol were more common in females than males, 28% vs 16%, 13% vs 6% and 11% vs 6%. Tobacco smoking was more common in rural than urban areas 11% vs 7%, and overweight and physical inactivity more common in urban than rural areas 39% vs 22% and 24% vs 9%, all with p<0.05. Overall (both sexes) prevalence of tobacco smoking, alcohol consumption, overweight and physical inactivity was 14%, 17%, 22%, 10% and prevalence of raised BP, fasting blood sugar and cholesterol was 33%, 6% and 9% respectively. These data could be useful in the formulation and advocacy of NCD policy and action plan in Malawi.
Highlights
Considered as diseases of the affluent and a distraction from the business of prevention and control of communicable diseases [1], chronic non-communicable diseases (NCDs), in particular cardiovascular diseases, cancer, respiratory diseases and diabetes mellitus are increasingly becoming significant causes of morbidity and mortality in low- and middle- income (LMI) countries
This study demonstrated that chronic non-communicable diseases and their risk factors are major public health problems in Malawi with at least one in four men smoking tobacco, one in five drinking alcohol excessively and at least one in four women being overweight
The burden of NCDs in Malawi was demonstrated previously using a burden of disease methodology that estimated the prevalence of diabetes mellitus, ischaemic heart disease, and stroke for the adult population aged 30–69 years to be 13.6%, 4.4% and 6.1% respectively [21]
Summary
Considered as diseases of the affluent and a distraction from the business of prevention and control of communicable diseases [1], chronic non-communicable diseases (NCDs), in particular cardiovascular diseases (heart diseases and stroke), cancer, respiratory diseases and diabetes mellitus are increasingly becoming significant causes of morbidity and mortality in low- and middle- income (LMI) countries. WHO projected that by 2015 NCDs will account for over 70% of all deaths globally with 80% of these deaths occurring in developing countries [2]. Chronic non-communicable diseases (NCDs) are becoming significant causes of morbidity and mortality, in sub-Saharan African countries, local, high-quality data to inform evidence-based policies are lacking
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