Abstract
BackgroundNon-communicable diseases (NCDs), particularly cardiovascular diseases, diabetes, respiratory conditions and cancers, are the most common causes of morbidity and mortality globally. Information on the prevalence estimates of NCD risk factors such as smoking, low fruit & vegetable intake, physical inactivity, raised blood pressure, overweight, obesity and abnormal blood lipid are scarce in Somaliland. The aim of this study was to determine the prevalence of these selected risk factors for NCDs among 20–69 year old women and men in Hargeisa, Somaliland.MethodsA cross-sectional study was conducted in five districts of Hargeisa (Somaliland), using the STEPwise approach to noncommunicable disease risk factor surveillance (STEPS) to collect data on demographic and behavioral characteristics and physical measurements (n = 1100). The STEPS approach is a standardized method for collecting, analysing and disseminating data on NCD risk factor burden. Fasting blood sugar, serum lipids (total cholesterol, low-density lipoprotein (LDL), high-density lipoprotein (HDL), and triglycerides) were collected in half of the participants.ResultsThe vast majority of participants had ≤1 serving of fruits daily (97.7%) and ≤ 1 serving of vegetables daily (98.2%). The proportion of participants with low physical activity levels was 78.4%. The overall prevalence of high salt intake was 18.5%. The prevalence of smoking and khat chewing among men was 27 and 37% respectively, and negligible among women. In women, the prevalence of hypertension increased from 15% in the age group 20–34 years to 67% in the age group 50–69 years, the prevalence of overweight and obesity (BMI ≥ 25 kg/m2) from 51 to 73%, and the prevalence of diabetes from 3 to 22%. Similar age-trends were seen in men.ConclusionMost of the selected risk factors for noncommunicable diseases were high and increased by age in both women and men. Overweight and obesity and low physical activity needs intervention in women, while hypertension and low fruit and vegetable consumption needs intervention in both men and women. Somaliland health authorities should develop and/or strengthen health services that can help in treating persons with hypertension and hyperlipidaemia, and prevent a future burden of NCDs resulting from a high prevalence of NCD risk factors.
Highlights
Non-communicable diseases (NCDs), cardiovascular diseases, diabetes, respiratory conditions and cancers, are the most common causes of morbidity and mortality globally
We have previously reported that the prevalence of overweight and obesity was significantly higher among Somalis in Oslo, Norway compared to Hargeisa, Somaliland [13], and according to the Ministry of Health of Somaliland, unhealthy lifestyle, including physical inactivity, smoking and chewing khat, has led to an increase in NCDs [14]
All participants underwent anthropometric measurements, while blood samples were drawn from 597 participants (56.2% of women and 41.3% of men)
Summary
Non-communicable diseases (NCDs), cardiovascular diseases, diabetes, respiratory conditions and cancers, are the most common causes of morbidity and mortality globally. Information on the prevalence estimates of NCD risk factors such as smoking, low fruit & vegetable intake, physical inactivity, raised blood pressure, overweight, obesity and abnormal blood lipid are scarce in Somaliland. According to the World Health Organization (WHO), the main types of NCDs are cardiovascular diseases (CVDs), cancer, chronic pulmonary obstructive disease (COPD) and diabetes [2]. These NCDs caused 39.8 million global deaths in 2015 [3]. Dyslipidaemia and smoking account for the majority cause of heart attack and strokes [8, 9] Sociodemographic factors such as age, gender and education have been associated with increased NCDs risk [10]
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