Awareness Of Chronic Disease Research Articles

Prevalence, Perception and Awareness of Chronic Diseases (HIV, Diabetes, Hypertension and Typhoid Fever) Among Rural Dwellers in Nomeh-Unateze Community in Nkanu-East LGA of Enugu

Introduction: This study investigated the prevalence, perception, and awareness of chronic diseases—HIV, Diabetes, Hypertension, and Typhoid Fever—among rural dwellers in Nomeh-Unateze Community, located in Nkanu-East Local Government Area of Enugu. Methodology: A total of 200 participants were evaluated for this study. The mean age (standard deviation) of the participants was 48.9years (12.25) and 47% of the participants were within the age range of 55 and above. 83% of the participants were females while 17% were males. Utilizing a mixed-methods approach, data was collected through structured questionnaires, in-depth interviews and tests for these chronic diseases. Results: Out of the study participants, only 4% had tertiary education, 17% started secondary school, 49% had basic education and 30% had no formal education. There was a high level of awareness of the chronic diseases, HIV, Diabetes Mellitus, Hypertension and Typhoid fever; however, the high rate of low level education had a huge impact on their perception about them. A significant gap in the sources of information about these chronic diseases was also found. Only 15% of participants reported receiving information from healthcare personnel, while 30% relied on media sources, predominantly radio. Misconceptions about disease causation and prevention were also prevalent, particularly regarding HIV as a high level of stigma surrounding HIV was also observed. The findings from this study revealed that the prevalence rates of these chronic diseases are notably low among the study participants, with HIV having a prevalence of 0.0% among the study participants. Diabetes had a1.15% prevalence among the study participants and the only identified incidences were recorded in females within the age range of 35-44. Typhoid had a prevalence of 1.05% among the participants, and the only incidences were recorded in males. However, Hypertension had the highest prevalence; 32.5% for hypertensive SBP (outside the safe range of 100-140mmHg) and 27.5% for hypertensive Diastolic Blood Pressure (DBP) (outside the safe range of 60-90mmHg). All cases of hypertension were recorded in participants above 45years of age. This study underscores the urgent need for targeted health education interventions and improved access to healthcare services to enhance disease management and reduce the burden of chronic diseases in rural communities. Conclusion: Therefore, the study recommend that more research-oriented medical outreaches should be organized to both evaluate the level of stigmatization and fear associated with these chronic diseases and aim at drastically reducing them. Future researches should involve longitudinal studies that will check for the changes in the trends of the prevalence rates of these diseases over time, as well as their mortality rates. The community.

Evaluating Teaching Material Needs for Active Adults in West Java: A Study on Cholesterol, Blood Sugar, and Uric Acid Examinations

Background: West Java is the province with the highest number of productive age population in Indonesia. The productivity of this age group is significantly influenced by health and education factors, with health teaching materials serving as educational tools. Among the challenges that hinder the productivity of active adults, chronic disease poses a significant threat. Purpose: This study aimed to describe the cholesterol, blood sugar, and uric acid examinations in active adults, including the need for health teaching materials. Method: The sampling method used was purposive sampling, with inclusion criteria being active adults aged 18 to 60 years, who work or study at an educational institution in Bandung Regency. Meanwhile, adults with mental illness were excluded, resulting in a sample size of 70 participants. The method for checking cholesterol, blood sugar, and uric acid used a Glucose Cholesterol Uric acid (GCU) meter. Results: The results showed that 12 adults had high cholesterol levels, while 6 had elevated blood sugar and uric acid levels. In the young age group (aged 18-44 years), 2 adults experienced hypercholesterolemia. The most sought-after teaching material for chronic disease was preventing sugar intake in soft drinks and the benefits of enhancing a healthy lifestyle through education. Furthermore, establishing prevention programs in educational institutions is an essential requirement to prevent the development of chronic and safeguard the productivity of active adults. Conclusions: Based on the results, it was recommended that productive and active adults receive training in chronic disease awareness and facilitate regular general check-ups (GCUs). This proactive approach was expected to contribute to the development and health security of the country.

Sociodemographic disparities in awareness of chronic conditions: an observational study among older persons in rural north-east of South Africa

BackgroundThe prevalence of chronic diseases is high among the older population. Awareness of these conditions is a crucial prerequisite to initiate treatment, control and prevent further complications. This study evaluates...

Self-perceived memory is negatively associated with chronic disease awareness: Evidence from blood biomarker data

Background and objectivesCognitive misperception contributed to poor decision-making; yet their impact on health-related decisions is less known. We examined how self-perceived memory was associated with chronic disease awareness among older Chinese adults. Research design and methodsData were obtained from the China Health and Retirement Longitudinal Study. Nationally representative blood biomarkers were collected in 2015 to identify participants' dyslipidemia and diabetes status. Among participants with biomarker identified dyslipidemia or diabetes, disease awareness was defined as self-reported diagnosis of the conditions as of 2018. The association of self-perceived memory with chronic disease awareness was determined by weighted multivariate logistic regressions adjusting for cognitive ability and covariates. ResultsAmong 4578 adults aged 60 and over, 1442 and 759 individuals were identified having dyslipidemia and diabetes, with proportions of disease awareness being 38.0% and 58.1%, respectively. The proportions were lower for individuals with better self-perceived memory and those with more impaired cognitive ability, showing opposite patterns. Adjusting for cognitive ability and covariates, self-perceived memory was negatively associated with the dyslipidemia (OR = 0.80, 95%CI: 0.63–1.02) and diabetes (OR = 0.71, 95%CI: 0.55–0.92) awareness. In particular, older adults with the highest level of self-perceived memory had significantly lower disease awareness as compared to those with the lowest level of self-perceived memory (OR = 0.51, 95%CI: 0.28–0.94 for dyslipidemia; and OR = 0.42, 95%CI: 0.21–0.84 for diabetes). The negative association was robust to adjusting for alternative cognitive measures, and was stronger for individuals with rural status, lower education, or living without children. Discussion and implicationsCognitive misperception poses great challenges to chronic disease awareness. Targeted interventions and supports are needed, particularly for those more disadvantaged.

Cognitive Misperception and Chronic Disease Awareness: Evidence from Blood Biomarker Data

Cognitive Misperception and Chronic Disease Awareness: Evidence from Blood Biomarker Data

PS-P05-8: CARDIOVASCULAR DISEASES AWARENESS AMONG WOMEN IN NORTHERN JORDAN

Background: Womens awareness of chronic diseases, including cardiovascular diseases, is the cornerstone in promoting womens health. Objectives: To examine the relationship of awareness levels about cardiovascular diseases and their related risk factors with demographic information of Jordanian women. Methods: A cross-sectional study of 18 years and older women. Scores of awareness were computed for each individual and were divided into 4 quartiles. Logistic regression analysis was used to examine the association of demographic information of participants with mean scores of quartiles. ANOVA analysis was used to com-pare between the mean scores of quartiles. Results: A total of 514 women completed the questionnaire, with a mean age of 35.46 (±12.53). Current smokers were 6.2%, and 34.6% had a family history of heart disease. The proportion of diabetes, hypertension, hypercholesterolemia, and overweight/obesity were 15.6%, 19.3%, 14.4%, & 21.6% respectively. The mean score for awareness was 12.87 (+ 3.26). Women who had lower income and who were at younger age were more likely to score low in awareness. Conclusion: Women illustrated a fair level of awareness of CVD and its related risk factors. Increasing women awareness of CVD through educational programs, targeted toward women at risk, assists in disease prevention and help to improve treatment plans.

ASSOCIATION OF SUBJECTIVE AND OBJECTIVE COGNITION WITH DISEASE AWARENESS: EVIDENCE FROM BLOOD BIOMARKERS DATA

Abstract Impaired cognitive ability and its misperception contribute to poor decision-making of older adults; yet their impact on health-related decisions is less known. We examined how self-perceived and actual cognition were associated with chronic disease awareness using a nationally representative sample of Chinese older adults. Blood biomarkers data were collected in 2015 to identify participants’ dyslipidemia and diabetes status. Among participants with identified dyslipidemia or diabetes, disease awareness was defined as self-reported diagnosis of the conditions as of 2018. Objective and subjective cognition were respectively assessed using the Mini-Mental State Examination and self-rated memory. The associations of subjective and objective cognition with chronic disease awareness were determined by weighted logistic regressions. Among 4,578 adults aged 60 and older with complete measurements, 1,442 and 759 individuals were identified having dyslipidemia and diabetes, with proportions of disease awareness being 38.0% and 58.1%, respectively. Individuals with mild (Odds Ratio [OR]=0.63; 95%CI: 0.45-0.89) or severe cognitive impairment (OR=0.46; 95%CI: 0.29-0.72) had lower odds of dyslipidemia awareness; and those with severe cognitive impairment had lower odds of diabetes awareness (OR=0.43; 95%CI: 0.23-0.79) than cognitively intact counterparts. However, adjusting for objective cognition, older adults with better subjective cognition had lower odds of dyslipidemia (OR=0.80; 95%CI: 0.63-1.02) and diabetes (OR=0.71; 95%CI: 0.55-0.92) awareness. Such associations were stronger for individuals with rural status, lower education, or living without children. Our findings highlight the great challenges deteriorated cognitive function and misperception may pose to chronic disease awareness, as well as the importance of targeted supports particularly for those more disadvantaged.

The challenges of ascites management: An Indian perspective.

Content available: Author Interview and Audio Recording.

Association between neighborhood social cohesion, awareness of chronic diseases, and participation in healthy behaviors in a community cohort

BackgroundNeighborhood social cohesion (NSC) is the network of relationships as well as the shared values and norms of residents in a neighborhood. Higher NSC has been associated with improved cardiovascular health, largely among Whites but not African Americans. In a bi-racial cohort, we aimed to study the association between NSC and chronic disease awareness and engagement in healthy self-management behaviors, two potential mechanisms by which NSC could impact cardiovascular health outcomes.MethodsUsing the Healthy Aging in Neighborhoods of Diversity Across the Lifespan Study (HANDLS), we cross-sectionally examined the association between NSC and awareness of three chronic conditions (diabetes, chronic kidney disease (CKD), and hypertension) and engagement in healthy self-management behaviors including physical activity, healthy eating, and cigarette avoidance.ResultsStudy participants (n = 2082) had a mean age of 56.5 years; 38.7% were White and 61.4% African American. Of the participants, 26% had diabetes, 70% had hypertension and 20.2% had CKD. Mean NSC was 3.3 (SD = 0.80) on a scale of 1 (lowest score) to 5 (highest score). There was no significant association between NSC and any chronic disease awareness, overall or by race. However, each higher point in mean NSC score was associated with less cigarette use and healthier eating scores, among Whites (adjusted odds ratio [aOR], 95% confidence interval [CI]: =0.76, 0.61–0.94; beta coefficient [βc]:, 95% CI: 1.75; 0.55–2.97, respectively) but not African Americans (aOR = 0.95, 0.79–1.13; βc: 0.46, − 0.48–1.39, respectively; Pinteraction = 0.08 and 0.06). Among both Whites and African Americans, higher NSC scores were associated with increases in self-reported physical activity (βc: 0.12; 0.08–0.16; Pinteraction = 0.40).ConclusionsCommunity engagement and neighborhood social cohesion may be important targets for promotion of healthy behaviors and cardiovascular disease prevention. More research is needed to understand the different associations of NSC and healthy behaviors by race.

China county-based demographics, clinical characteristics, treatment patterns, and health resource consumption analysis for diabetes.

The diagnosis and treatment of diabetes depends on reasonable chronic disease management. Compared with urban areas, county areas are high-risk areas for chronic disease patients, due to the low awareness of chronic disease, poor treatment compliance with chronic disease, low drug persistence, and low cure rate. Therefore, more attention should be paid to chronic disease management in county areas. This retrospective, observational study was conducted at the Yun county medical community, Yun county, Yunan province. Data were collected from the medical records of diabetic patients from July 2017 to Aug 2020. The primary outcome variable was the proportion of patients with diabetic complications in county areas. The secondary outcome variables were demographics and clinical characteristics of diabetic patients in county areas, achievement of the HbA1c target, and clinical inertia of diabetic patients in county areas. Comparisons of the simple diabetes group and the diabetic kidney disease (DKD) group in terms of demographics, clinical characteristics, treatment patterns, and health resource consumption were also conducted. A series of appropriate statistical tests were applied to the study population to examine the various outcomes. A total of 9,721 type 2 diabetic patients were included for the study analysis. Diabetic retinopathy (11.83%), cerebrovascular disease (10.31%), and DKD (9.29%) were the 3 most common complications in overall admissions. Among the 1,347 patients with HbA1c test results, 536 (39.8%) patients achieved the HbA1c target, while 566 (87.62%) of the 661 patients who did not achieve the HbA1c target had clinical inertia during the next 6 months. Compared with simple diabetes patients, patients with DKD had a higher age, wider coverage of medical insurance, and longer duration of diabetes, and were more likely to be complicated with hyperuricemia, dyslipidemia, and hypertension. Regular insulin, metformin, alpha-glucosidase inhibitor, and sulfonylurea were the most widely used antidiabetic drugs in patients with DKD. The health resources consumption also significantly increased. The proportion of complications in diabetic patients is high in county areas, and blood glucose control is still insufficient. Chronic complications are the key reasons for the decrease in quality of life and high medical costs.

Associations between mental health disorder and management of physical chronic conditions in China: a pooled cross-sectional analysis

Physical non-communicable diseases (NCDs) and mental health disorders are a rapidly increasing health burden in low-and middle-income countries. This study aims to examine the relationships between mental health disorders and cascade of care in managing four common physical NCDs (hypertension, diabetes, dyslipidemia, chronic kidney disease) in China. We utilized two waves of nationally-representative China Health and Retirement Longitudinal Study (CHARLS 2011, 2015) of older adult population aged 45 and above. A series of unadjusted and adjusted mixed-effect logistic regression was applied to evaluate the association between presence of mental health disorder and physical chronic disease awareness, treatment, and control. We found that the odds of dyslipidemia (AOR 1.81, 95% CI 1.36–2.39) and kidney disease awareness (AOR 2.88, 95% CI 2.12–3.92) were higher for individuals with mental chronic conditions, compared to those without mental chronic conditions. The odds of having hypertension treatment was higher for subjects with mental health disorder, compared to those without (AOR 1.32, 95% CI 1.02–1.70). The odds of having physical chronic conditions controlled was not significantly associated with having mental chronic conditions (P > 0.05). These results indicated that adults with mental health disorder have a greater likelihood of awareness of having dyslipidemia and kidney disease, and receiving treatment for hypertension. Strategies to address the growing burden of physical-mental NCDs in China should include efforts to improve management of patients with comorbid health condition and improve access to continual high-quality treatment after the first diagnosis.

Developing a Platform for Chronic Diseases Awareness

The increasing chronic disease’s epidemic is due to alcohol, smoking, lack of physical activity, obesity and unhealthy diet causing common diseases such as hypertension, osteoporosis, stroke, myocardial infarction renal insufficiency and diabetes. Preventive action against such diseases could be to improve health awareness through the use of health awareness platforms supporting behavior change and self-observation. Policy-makers play a vital role in decreasing the burden and risk of chronic diseases through implementing programs and policies that improve access to healthcare and provide a healthy environment. An official planning framework and national policy are crucial to give chronic diseases proper priority and to arrange resources properly. This work aims to design and develop a platform for chronic disease awareness. The proposed system was developed using the Unified Modeling Language (UML), ASP.NET, HTML and CSS.

Multimorbidity And Health Outcomes In Older Adults In Ten European Health Systems, 2006-15.

Despite the increase in awareness of chronic disease, little is known about whether multimorbidity-defined as two or more coexisting chronic conditions-has had a diminished impact on health in Europe in the past decade. We used multiple cross-sectional data from the Survey of Health, Ageing and Retirement in Europe to estimate changes in the prevalence of multimorbidity and in its association with health outcomes in ten European countries between 2006-07 and 2015. We found that the prevalence of multimorbidity rose from 38.2percent in 2006-07 to 41.5percent in 2015. Over the ten-year study period we also found a marginal reduction of the impact of multimorbidity on primary care visits and functional capacity. We did not find a reduction of its impact on hospital admissions and quality of life. Austria, the Czech Republic, Germany, and Spain were the countries that showed the largest reduction in the impact of multimorbidity on health outcomes. Multimorbidity continues to pose challenges for European health care systems, with only marginal improvement on health care use and health outcomes since 2006-07.

Cardiovascular Diseases’ Awareness Among Women in Northern Jordan

BACKGROUND: Women’s awareness of chronic diseases, including cardiovascular diseases, is the cornerstone in promoting women’s health. Objectives: To examine the relationship of awareness levels about cardiovascular diseases and their related risk factors with demographic information of Jordanian women. 
 
 METHODS: A cross-sectional study of 18 years and older women. Scores of awareness were computed for each individual and were divided into 4 quartiles. Logistic regression analysis was used to examine the association of demographic information of participants with mean scores of quartiles. ANOVA analysis was used to compare the mean scores of quartiles. 
 
 RESULTS: A total of 514 women completed the questionnaire, with a mean age of 35.46 (±12.53). Current smokers were 6.2%, and 34.6% had a family history of heart disease. The proportion of diabetes, hypertension, hypercholesterolemia, and overweight/obesity were 15.6%, 19.3%, 14.4%, & 21.6% respectively. The mean score for awareness was 12.87 (+ 3.26). Women who had lower income and who were at younger age were more likely to score low in awareness. 
 
 CONCLUSION: Women illustrated a fair level of awareness of CVD and its related risk factors. Increasing women awareness of CVD through educational programs, targeted toward women at risk, assists in disease prevention and help to improve treatment plans.

Weight underestimation for adults in Beijing and its association with chronic disease awareness and weight management

BackgroundObesity is known to be a risk factor to a variety of chronic diseases. Weight misperception has an impact on weight-loss attitude and behavior. We aimed to investigate factors associated with weight underestimation, and to assess the effect of hypertension, diabetes and dyslipidemia awareness on weight underestimation and weight management for overweight and obese adults.MethodsData was obtained from the 2011 Beijing Non-communicable disease and risk factors Surveillance (BJNCDRS). A total of 19,932 participants with measures of weight and height were included in the analysis. Self-perception of weight was obtained by asking, “How do you describe your weight?”, and the question for weight management was “Are you taking any actions to control your body weight?”. Multiple logistic regression was used to investigate factors related to weight underestimation.ResultsFor the underweight, normal weight, and overweight/obese categories, more than half of the participants perceived their weight accurately (63.6, 53.8, 66.2%, respectively). For overweight and obese adults, older age, male, rural residence, lower level of education, lower level of income, absence of hypertension, presence of diabetes and absence of dyslipidemia positively associated with weight underestimation, and awareness of having hypertension and dyslipidemia were negatively associated with weight underestimation (Adjusted OR(95%CI) were 0.70(0.61~ 0.79) and 0.71(0.62~ 0.80), respectively). Awareness of having hypertension and dyslipidemia were significantly associated with weight management (Adjusted OR (95%CI) were 1.42(1.25~ 1.62) and 1.53(1.36~ 1.72), respectively). There was no significant association between awareness of diabetes and weight underestimation(P > 0.05) or weight management(P > 0.05).ConclusionsMore than half of the participants perceived their weight accurately. For overweight/obese population, awareness of having hypertension and dyslipidemia could improve weight perception and weight management, whereas awareness of having diabetes might not.

Primary School Teachers’ Awareness of Chronic Diseases of Children

Abstract Introduction: More and more children and adolescents suffering from chronic diseases are included in common school education. Unfortunately, teachers do not feel confident enough about how to cope, fulfil and satisfy the needs of these children in the educational, social and emotional spheres. The aim ofp this part of research was to discover how teachers work with chronically ill children of younger school-age. There were three aims. The first aim was to investigate if teachers have basic awareness and knowledge about selected chronic diseases in children of younger school-age. The second aim was to discover what experience and attitudes towards chronically ill children of younger school-age teachers have. The third aim was to discover, how the quality of school care of chronically ill children of younger school-age can be improved. Methods: We used qualitative research methodology. Data were processed and gathered from semi-structured interviews. Interviews were conducted with 12 teachers. Results: Our findings revealed that teachers should be acquainted with the disease itself and its consequences in all aspects. In some cases, teachers must be acquainted also with the practical aspects of a chronic disease, e.g. first aid and application of drugs and aids in order to assist children if necessary. Discussion: The study offers unique insights into primary teachers’ views and experiences with chronically ill children, how teachers work with chronically ill pupils of younger school-age and how the quality of school care of chronically ill children of younger school-age can be improved. Limitations: The research is still being conducted and therefore, it is not possible to provide more detailed results and conclusions. However, our main aim was to draw attention to the very problem from the point of view of teachers themselves and to highlight their vivid experiences. Conclusions: It is necessary to create interconnected networks of experts and families who will cooperate and communicate and who will participate in satisfying needs of a child together. These networks will ensure that children will be integrated into common school life in spite of their disease without serious consequences affecting their development and education.

Effects of workplace health promotion in a wind power equipment manufacturing factory

Objective: To explore the effects of workplace health promotion in a wind power equipment manufacturing factory. Methods: Based on investigation of occupational hazard factors, personal protective equipment (PPE) application, occupational health management and healthy life style, health promotion strategy and intervention were implemented in this factory. The sample size was 56 for monitoring of occupational hazard factors before and after intervention, 283 and 259 for questionnaire before and after intervention. Results: After intervention, the qualified rate of workplace occupational hazard factors increased from 67.9% to 82.1%. The abnormal rate of occupational health surveillance among workers decreased from 24.7% to 11.6%. The rates of correct use of PPE increased from 39.6% to 80.7%. The rates of awareness of occupational health increased from 10.2% to 71.8%. The rates of awareness of chronic disease increased from 10.2% to 77.2%. Two-week consultation rate decreased from 6.4% to 4.2%. Smoking rate decreased from 12.4% to 10.4%. Conclusion: Workplace health promotion is effective measures for reducing occupational hazard factors exposure and improving workers' health.

Outreach in Armenia: chronic disease awareness, prevention and management

Outreach in Armenia: chronic disease awareness, prevention and management

용인 일부지역 고등학생의 가공식품 및 만성질환에 대한 인식도

This study aimed to investigate awareness of processed foods and chronic disease in high school students (male 94 and female 85) in the Yongin area. Awareness of chronic disease caused by excessive intake of processed foods was 83.0% and 91.8% in male and female students, and the most harmful processed food was instant noodles (34.1%). The most fearful chronic disease was cancer (25.5%) and obesity (25.5%) in males, whereas female answered obesity (34.1%). Awareness of synthetic preservatives was the most negative answer among food additives, and the most useful information was harmfulness of food additives. Percentages of correct answers towards cardiovascular disease-causing food components, including lipids, saturated fat, cholesterol, and trans fat, and dietary fiber for prevention of obesity were 57.0% and 54.2%, respectively. The percentage of correct answers towards developing hypertension by excessive intake of sodium was very low at 24.6%. Consequently, high school students generally showed a negative attitude towards processed foods without accurate information related to prevention or food components causing chronic disease, especially sodium. Thus, an appropriate program and persistent nutrition education are required for healthy food choices to prevent chronic disease among processed foods.

Self-Care for Older People (SCOPE): A cluster randomized controlled trial of self-care training and health outcomes in low-income elderly in Singapore

Population aging is associated with a higher prevalence of chronic health conditions. Previous studies have shown that older persons, specifically those with chronic conditions, often lack sufficient knowledge about their condition and thus frequently have poor self-care skills. Efforts to increase general health screenings and improve access to chronic condition management resources are hampered by a lack of disease and health awareness. Self-Care for Older People (SCOPE) study, a cluster randomized controlled trial in Singapore, was designed to evaluate the impact of a self-care program for chronic disease awareness and management of specific health measures and quality of life of older people over eighteen months. SCOPE provided self-care education targeted at older people with low income and low education in order to improve health-related knowledge. A total of 378 low-income older people with no or minimal disability, defined as having difficulty in one or more activities of daily living (ADL), were recruited from senior activity centers. The measurements taken included self-reported health conditions, health and disease knowledge questions, and biomarkers (HbA1c, blood pressure, peak expiratory flow, lipid panel, albumin, and creatinine). SCOPE was also designed to provide information for policy makers on chronic disease burden and healthcare facility utilization among community-dwelling older adults.Trial Registration Number: NCT01672177.