Control Of Non-communicable Diseases Research Articles

Intuitive Eating Behavior and Obesity among Adolescents in Malaysia

Malaysia has witnessed a sharp increase in the prevalence of overweight and obesity in the past decade and named as the highest rate of overweight and obesity among all Southeast Asian countries by WHO in 2018. Despite the importance of the dietary knowledge intervention related to obesity and overweight, there is a lack of study on intuitive eating behaviour among Malaysian adolescents. Most of the existing overweight and obesity intervention was targeted to adolescents without considering the different psychological, cultures, religions, and ethnicities, making the current approaches less suitable for Malaysian adolescents. Therefore, it is important to understand how the Malaysian obese population benefits from the comprehensive, intuitive eating behaviour intervention. The improvement intervention based on intuitive eating behaviour that caters specifically towards Malaysian obese and overweight adolescents could contribute to develop effective healthcare intervention on obesity and overweight to ensure sustainable development of the community through prevention and control of non-communicable diseases enhancing population health safety through food consciousness.

Prevalence of non-communicable diseases risk factors and their determinants: Results from STEPS survey 2019, Nepal.

The World Health Organization (WHO) recommends ongoing surveillance of non-communicable diseases (NCDs) and their risk factors, using the WHO STEPwise approach to surveillance (STEPS). The aim of this study was to assess the distribution and determinants of NCD risk factors in Nepal, a low-income country, in which two-thirds (66%) of annual deaths are attributable to NCDs. A nationally representative NCD risk factors STEPS survey (instrument version 3.2), was conducted between February and May 2019, among 6,475 eligible participants of age 15-69 years sampled from all 7 provinces through multistage sampling process. Data collection involved assessment of behavioral and biochemical risk factors. Complex survey analysis was completed in STATA 15, along with Poisson regression modelling to examine associations between covariates and risk factor prevalence. The most prevalent risk factor was consumption of less than five servings of fruit and vegetables a day (97%; 95% CI: 94.3-98.0). Out of total participants, 17% (95% CI: 15.1-19.1) were current smoker, 6.8% (95% CI: 5.3-8.2) were consuming ≥60g/month alcohol per month and 7.4% (95% CI:5.7-10.1) were having low level of physical activity. Approximately, 24.3% (95% CI: 21.6-27.2) were overweight or obese (BMI≥25kg/m2) while 24.5% (95% CI: 22.4-26.7) and 5.8% (95% CI: 4.3-7.3) had raised blood pressure (BP) and raised blood glucose respectively. Similarly, the prevalence of raised total cholesterol was 11% (95% CI: 9.6-12.6). Sex and education level of participants were statistically associated with smoking, harmful alcohol use and raised BP. Participants of age 30-44 years and 45-69 years were found to have increased risk of overweight, raised BP, raised blood sugar and raised blood cholesterol. Similarly, participants in richest wealth quintile had higher odds of insufficient physical inactivity, overweight and raised blood cholesterol. On average, each participant had 2 NCD related risk factors (2.04, 95% CI: 2.02-2.08). A large portion of the Nepalese population are living with a variety of NCD risk factors. These surveillance data should be used to support and monitor province specific NCD prevention and control interventions throughout Nepal, supported by a multi-sectoral national coordination mechanism.

Why do we need to empower university staffs and students for tackling the non-communicable diseases?

Non-communicable diseases (NCDs) are a major cause of death in Indonesia and worldwide. Yogyakarta has the highest prevalence of cancer in Indonesia. Besides, Yogyakarta has high prevalence of diabetes mellitus and other NCDs. The prevention and control of NCDs are direly needed in Yogyakarta. Universitas Gadjah Mada (UGM) is the oldest university in Yogyakarta and has a large number of university staff members and students. This study aimed to empower university staff and students of UGM in the health promotion programs for tackling NCD risk factors through the Health Promoting University initiative. This was a participatory action research that was conducted in UGM, Yogyakarta. A total of 299 respondents (university staff and students in second year) were involved in the need’s assessment survey. Data were collected through online questionnaire and analyzed descriptively. Additionally, advocacy, training, small group discussion, seminars, discussion on WhatsApp group, as well as developing posters for healthy diet, hand washing, physical activities, and smoking behavior were done as the follow-up of the need’s assessment. The need’s assessment showed that most respondents had a poor knowledge on the NCDs and its risk factors (74%), poor knowledge on the smoke free campus (80%), had insufficient vegetables consumption (83%), had insufficient fruit consumption (68%), and had physically inactive behavior (52%). Furthermore, group discussions with the students improved their awareness on the NCD problems among students. Also, training for the university staff members improved their knowledge and skills related to the NCD risk factors’ measurement. The university staff and students’ knowledge and practice concerning the NCD risk factors prevention were poor. Therefore, the Health Promoting University initiative is a good way to empower them about the NCD risk factors prevention.

Health-promoting university: the implementation of an integrated guidance post for non-communicable diseases (Posbindu PTM) among university employees.

Non-communicable diseases (NCDs) remain a challenge globally and in Indonesia. Workplace environments may place employees at risk for NCD behavioral factors. This study aimed to develop an integrated guidance post for NCD (in Indonesian, 'pos pembinaan terpadu penyakit tidak menular' [Posbindu PTM] early detection among employees in one of the Indonesian universities. Posbindu PTM is a community-based program oriented towards promotive and preventive efforts to control NCDs where the community acted as change agents. We conducted a process evaluation based on a quantitative approach through a survey (n = 313) and a qualitative method using in-depth interviews (n = 12) to support our findings that Posbindu PTM was acceptable and feasible to implement in a university context. High participation in Posbindu PTM showed that the program could encourage the university employees to join NCD prevention strategies from early detection to counseling and referral. All participants positively accepted Posbindu PTM for its benefits to health, the flexibility of the program, and the quality service provided by cadres. A need-based program planning, commitment from university leaders, adequate human resources and facilitation, and cooperation between departments, the clinic, and local primary health center and health department determined the success of Posbindu PTM implementation. In contrast, external activities negatively affected participants to join Posbindu PTM. There is a need for more routine scheduling and online-based application to enhance the program's performance. Posbindu PTM is essential for engaging employees with their health and may serve as a model for NCD prevention and control in similar settings. With Posbindu PTM implementation's success, a further stage is required to empower and sustain the Posbindu PTM program towards health-promoting universities.

Impact of COVID-19 on Noncommunicable Diseases (NCDs)

Since December 2019, a novel coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19), caused by severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2), pandemic has affected more than 18.6 million people worldwide. Male gender, older age, obesity, and comorbid noncommunicable diseases (NCDs) like diabetes, hypertension, cardiovascular disease (CVD), chronic respiration illnesses, and cancer have higher risk and fatal outcome of COVID-19. India has a huge burden of NCDs and their associated risk factors which could act in harmony with COVID-19 to produce severe and fatal outcome. Till date the specific treatment options for COVID-19 are elusive and as NCDs are reported as the main causative risk factors for COVID-19 which can worsen the outcome, the focus should be made on continuing and improving the healthcare facilities related to the prevention, management, and control of NCDs. The management of NCDs in the context of SARS-CoV-2 infection are quite challenging. The restrictive measures imposed by governments all over the world such as complete or partial lockdown, travel restrictions, and physical distancing to contain the spread of SARS-CoV-2 infection have affected the people with NCDs by limiting their access to healthcare facilities, physical activity access to healthy food, and even to medicines and essential supplies. These factors increase the risk of developing obesity, diabetes, and CVDs. This article reviews the burden of NCDs in India, the cross-connection between NCDs and COVID-19, disruptions of healthcare services for NCDs, and proposes research priorities during COVID-19 for effective management and control of NCDs.

Body-mass index and obesity in urban and rural China: findings from consecutive nationally representative surveys during 2004–18

In China, mean body-mass index (BMI) and obesity in adults have increased steadily since the early 1980s. However, to our knowledge, there has been no reliable assessment of recent trends, nationally, regionally, or in certain population subgroups. To address this evidence gap, we present detailed analyses of relevant data from six consecutive nationally representative health surveys done between 2004 and 2018. We aimed to examine the long-term and recent trends in mean BMI and prevalence of obesity among Chinese adults, with specific emphasis on changes before and after 2010 (when various national non-communicable disease prevention programmes were initiated), assess how these trends might vary by sex, age, urban-rural locality, and socioeconomic status, and estimate the number of people who were obese in 2018 compared with 2004. We used data from the China Chronic Disease and Risk Factors Surveillance programme, which was established in 2004 with the aim to provide periodic nationwide data on the prevalence of major chronic diseases and the associated behavioural and metabolic risk factors in the general population. Between 2004 and 2018 six nationally representative surveys were done. 776 571 individuals were invited and 746 020 (96·1%) participated, including 33 051 in 2004, 51 050 in 2007, 98 174 in 2010, 189 115 in 2013, 189 754 in 2015, and 184 876 in 2018. After exclusions, 645 223 participants aged 18-69 years remained for the present analyses. The mean BMI and prevalence of obesity (BMI ≥30 kg/m2) were calculated and time trends compared by sex, age, urban-rural locality, geographical region, and socioeconomic status. Standardised mean BMI levels rose from 22·7 kg/m2 (95% CI 22·5-22·9) in 2004 to 24·4 kg/m2 (24·3-24·6) in 2018 and obesity prevalence from 3·1% (2·5-3·7) to 8·1% (7·6-8·7). Between 2010 and 2018, mean BMI rose by 0·09 kg/m2 annually (0·06-0·11), which was half of that reported during 2004-10 (0·17 kg/m2, 95% CI 0·12-0·22). Similarly, the annual increase in obesity prevalence was somewhat smaller after 2010 than before 2010 (6·0% annual relative increase, 95% CI 4·4-7·6 vs 8·7% annual relative increase, 4·9-12·8; p=0·13). Since 2010, the rise in mean BMI and obesity prevalence has slowed down substantially in urban men and women, and moderately in rural men, but continued steadily in rural women. By 2018, mean BMI was higher in rural than urban women (24·3 kg/m2vs 23·9 kg/m2; p=0·0045), but remained lower in rural than urban men (24·5 kg/m2vs 25·1 kg/m2; p=0·0007). Across all six surveys, mean BMI was persistently lower in women with higher levels of education compared with women with lower levels of education, but the inverse was true among men. Overall, an estimated 85 million adults (95% CI 70 million-100 million; 48 million men [95% CI 39 million-57 million] and 37 million women [31 million-43 million]) aged 18-69 years in China were obese in 2018, which was three times as many as in 2004. In China, the rise in mean BMI among the adult population appears to have slowed down over the past decade. However, we found divergent trends by sex, geographical area, and socioeconomic status, highlighting the need for a more targeted approach to prevent further increases in obesity in the Chinese general population. China National Key Research and Development Program, China National Key Project of Public Health Program, and Youth Scientific Research Foundation of the National Center for Chronic and Noncommunicable Disease Control and Prevention, Chinese Center for Disease Control and Prevention.

An intensive follow-up in subjects with cardiometabolic high-risk

Background and aimAddressing chronic problems requires a model of care that promotes self-management of the disease and facilitates adherence to treatment. This project was designed to enhance patient's clinical and functional outcomes through a Comprehensive Model to be implemented in our health system and to evaluate the results. Methods and resultsDifferent population stratification tools were tested and designed to classify subjects according to different variables. We have developed a program to detect and screen cardiometabolic risk by integrating most of the Chronic Care Model recommendations through in-house developed management software (MoviHealth®). From the results, 1317 subjects were evaluated (27% of the whole population) during the first year of follow-up which significantly improved for all variables along the follow-up period. The blood pressure of the hypertensive population in 2010 and 2015 showed the importance of enrollment of subjects and the optimization of the blood pressure control. The result of HbA1c observed in 2010 decreased progressively to 7.1 ± 1.4% in 2015, and dyslipidemia levels improved gradually. The number of cardiovascular events requiring hospitalization decreased significantly (48%), from 1.9 events per 100 subjects in 2011 to 0.98 in 2015. ConclusionOur program has combined strategies for the prevention and control of non-communicable diseases, incorporating interventions to control risk factors and to reduce morbidity and mortality. It also had improvements in life quality, accessibility to health-care services, and the promotion of self-care.

Doctor-patient communication skills: a survey on knowledge and practice of Iranian family physicians

BackgroundCommunication skills are fundamental to successful medical practice and can greatly impact patient satisfaction, compliance and outcomes. This study evaluated knowledge and practice of doctor- patient communication among the urban family physicians based on main items of Calgary Cambridge Observation Guides.MethodThis cross-sectional study was conducted from July to September, 2019, in a 400 randomly selected sample of family physicians of Shiraz, Fars province. The data collection tool was a self-administered, second-part questionnaire developed by the researchers. Participants were asked about their age, gender, practice setting, and years of work experience and if they received any formal training in doctor- patient communication. Data were analyzed using SPSS (Version 16, SPSS Inc., Chicago, IL, USA). A p-value of less than 0.05 was considered statistically significant.ResultsThe study participants included 204 male and 196 female family physicians with a mean age of 46.7 ± 7.7 years. The mean communication skills knowledge score was 41.5 (SD: ± 2.8) indicating a high level of knowledge. The mean score for practices was 38.7 (SD: ± 3.4), implying a moderate level of practice. Based on Bloom’s scale, nearly 80% of family physicians had good knowledge about doctor-patient communication skills, however, 55% of participants reported moderate to poor level of practice in this regard. Results of multivariate regression analysis suggest that higher levels of related knowledge, having higher age or longer work experience, and working in the public sector can predict better practice scores (P < 0.005).ConclusionThere is a potential gap between knowledge and self-reported practices toward communication skills among a sample of Iranian family physicians. They have fundamental weakness in the most important evidence-based items of doctor- patient communication. Considering significant role of family physicians in prevention and control of non-communicable diseases (NCDs) as an emerging challenge of our country, the topic of communication skills should be inserted as a top educational priority of family physicians.

Existing NCD Monitoring and Surveillance Systems and its adaptability to Fiji’s context: A Systematic Review

Introduction: The United Nations high-level meeting of the General Assembly on the Prevention and Control of Non-communicable Diseases passed a political declaration on Non-Communicable Diseases (NCD) prevention and control in 2011, emphasizing the great need for NCD surveillance including in Low-to-Middle-Income-Countries (LMICs). Method: A review of literature was conducted and set for full text citations published in English dated 1 January, 2007 to 31 August 2019. MESH terms or key words were selected from the following groups of generic terms: the following words “Health surveillance systems” and “NCD monitoring and surveillance system”. The literatures were tabulated according to the authors, date that was published and which journal, the title of the study, the surveillance design and their recommendations. The 13 articles that were identified, only one was conducted in a developing country while the rest were conducted in high income countries. Results: 60% of the NCD surveillace system reviewed use passive surveillance, 30% uses passive assisted sentinel surveillance and 10% use passive assited spatial surveillance. Based on countries surveillance system there was an equal distribution on involvement in policy development (33%), behavioural risk associated aggregates (33%) and intergrated health information System (33%).Through intense review, passive assisted sentinel surveillance was mostly practiced and the use of spatial surveillace in this context for interregional comparisons of specified diseases. Conclusion: There was less evidence on surveillance in LMIC but the following surveillance systems were identified as essential for Fiji’s proposed NCD surveillance system. This study suggest that a probable surveillance system that can be adopted by Fiji is a passive assisted sentinel surveillance system enhanced with Spatial data. Further consultation and a feasibility study can be proposed as a way forward for this study findings.

Preparedness for Mitigating Noncommunicable Diseases in Gaindakot Municipality, Nepal: Perspectives of Key informants

Introduction: Non-communicable Diseases (NCDs) are the major public health problem that leads to high morbidity and mortality in the world including Nepal. Government of Nepal has launched the Multi-sectoral NCD Action Plan in 2014 and established NCD and Injuries Poverty Commission in 2016 for the management and control of NCDs nevertheless the implementation status and its outcomes are not identified till date at the local level.&#x0D; Objectives: To explore the preparedness of the local government for the prevention and control of NCDs at Gaindakot, Nawalpur, Nepal.&#x0D; Methodology: A qualitative study was conducted in the Gaindakot municipality; Nawalpur to document the key informant's perspectives on health system's preparedness to prevent the potential impacts of NCDs. Face to face Indepth interview was performed using open-ended questions. Interview guidelines were prepared on the basis of building blocks of health system. Information was processed basis on thematic analysis.&#x0D; Result: The study revealed that health section has NCD preparedness structure but need to strengthening for the better delivery of health services. The study highlights that screening services and the medicine for major NCDs like hypertension and diabetes were available at local level. Limited budget was allocated and health workforce was not trained for NCDs prevention and control. There was no reporting mechanism for NCD related data from local level.&#x0D; Conclusion: Basic medicine and screening services were provided from the local level to the selected NCDs such as hypertension and diabetes. There was no provision of reporting NCD related information and health workforce were not trained to respond NCDs. Local level health system strengthening is an urgent need to address the increasing burden of NCDs.

Cost-Effectiveness of Population Level and Individual Level Interventions to Combat Non-communicable Disease in Eastern Sub-Saharan Africa and South East Asia: A WHO-CHOICE Analysis.

Background: To determine the health system costs and health-related benefits of interventions for the prevention and control of non-communicable diseases (NCDs), including mental health disorders, for the purpose of identifying the most cost-effective intervention options in support of global normative guidance on the best-buy interventions for NCDs. In addition, tools are developed to allow country contextualisation of the analyses to support local priority setting exercises. Methods: This analysis follows the standard WHO-CHOICE (World Health Organization-Choosing Interventions that are Cost-Effective) approach to generalized cost-effectiveness analysis applied to two regions, Eastern sub-Saharan Africa and South-East Asia. The scope of the analysis is all NCD and mental health interventions included in WHO guidelines or guidance documents for which the health impact of the intervention is able to be identified and attributed. Costs are measured in 2010 international dollars, and benefits modelled beginning in 2010, both for a period of 100 years. Results: There are many interventions for NCD prevention and management that are highly cost-effective, generating one year of healthy life for less than Int. $100. These interventions include tobacco and alcohol control policies such as taxation, voluntary and legislative actions to reduce sodium intake, mass media campaigns for reducing physical activity, and treatment options for cardiovascular disease (CVD), cervical cancer and epilepsy. In addition a number of interventions fall just outside this range, including breast cancer, depression and chronic lung disease treatment. Conclusion: Interventions that represent good value for money, are technically feasible and are delivered for a low per-capita cost, are available to address the rapid rise in NCDs in low- and middle-income countries. This paper also describes a tool to support countries in developing NCD action plans.

Baseline risk factor prevalence among adolescents aged 15–17 years old: findings from National Non-communicable Disease Monitoring Survey (NNMS) of India

ObjectiveTo generate national estimates of key non-communicable disease (NCD) risk factors for adolescents (15–17 years) identified in the National NCD Monitoring Framework and, study the knowledge, attitudes and practices towards...

Disease and demography: a systems-dynamic cohort-component population model to assess the implications of disease-specific mortality targets

IntroductionThe 2015 Sustainable Development Goals include the objective of reducing premature mortality from major non-communicable diseases (NCDs) by one-third by 2030. Accomplishing this objective has demographic implications with relevance for...

Developing an interpersonal communication material for primary health-care workers for the prevention and control of noncommunicable diseases: experience from a case in Manila, Philippines

PurposeThe purpose of this study is to describe the systematic process in developing an interpersonal communication material for the prevention and control of noncommunicable diseases (NCDs) in the City of Manila, Philippines.Design/methodology/approachThe systematic process in the development of an interpersonal communication material is presented. The seven steps in the process included mapping of available health communication materials, needs identification, development of the material, pretesting, finalization, printing/production and orientation on the use of the material.FindingsThe process followed an iterative, multistakeholder approach in order to ensure that all important insights are obtained and that the final material is contextualized, easily communicated and culturally appropriate. It is important to consider context and culture on top of the methodology in order to ensure development of appropriate interpersonal communication material. It is also important that the experience of the primary health-care workers on the use of the interpersonal communication material is properly documented for future reference, through both quantitative and qualitative evaluations.Originality/valueThe seven-step systematic process utilized can be used as a model in developing health communication materials in the field of health promotion and education.

Temporal Trend and Attributable Risk Factors of Stroke Burden in China, 1990-2019: Findings From the Global Burden of Disease Study 2019

Background: Limited information exists on the temporal trend of the disease burden of stroke and its attributable risk factors in China, especially at provincial levels. The aim of this analysis from the Global Burden of Disease Study (GBD) 2019 is to investigate the disease burden of stroke and its risk factors at national and provincial levels of China from 1990 to 2019. Methods: Following the methodology in the GBD 2019, the incidence, prevalence, mortality, and disability-adjusted life years (DALYs) of stroke cases in the Chinese population were estimated by sex, age, year, three subcategories of stroke and across 33 province-level administrative units in China from 1990 to 2019. Attributable mortality and DALYs of underlying risk factors were calculated by a comparative risk assessment. Findings: The annual stroke incidence increased from 1.76 million in 1990 to 3.94 million in 2019; the age-standardised incidence rate declined from 221.5 per 100,000 population in 1990 to 200.8 per 100,000 population in 2019. Deaths due to stroke increased by 59.0%, reaching 2.19 million in 2019. The age-standardised mortality rate decreased by 39.8%, reaching 127.2 per 100,000 population in 2019. The number of stroke prevalence overall increased by 147.5% (from 11.62 million in 1990 to 28.76 million in 2019). From 1990 to 2019, the age-standardised prevalence rate increased by 13.2% for overall stroke and 33.5% for ischemic stroke, and decreased by 31.9% for intracerebral hemorrhage and 21.9% for subarachnoid hemorrhage. A substantial reduction was observed in the age-standardised DALYs rate (41.6%) of stroke from 1990 to 2019. Moreover, there were marked differences of these estimates stratified by sex, age, stroke subtype, and across province. High systolic blood pressure , high fasting blood glucose , p articulate matter pollution exposure , and smoking were four major risk factors for stroke burden in 2019. Interpretation: This study demonstrates that the disease burden of stroke is still severe for the Chinese population, although the age-standardised incidence and mortality rate have decreased since 1990. There was substantial variation of these estimates among different provinces which suggested the necessary of targeted stroke intervention. Blood pressure and blood glucose management through regular health care and air pollution control measures might help reduce the stroke burden in China. Funding Information: This work was supported by the National Key R&D Program of China (2018YFA0606200). The Global Burden of Disease Study is funded by the Bill and Melinda Gates Foundation. Declaration of Interests: The authors declare they have no actual or potential competing financial interests. Ethics Approval Statement: This study was approved by the Ethical Review Committee of the National Center for Chronic and Non-communicable Disease Control and Prevention of the Chinese Center for Disease Control and Prevention. No individual identifiable information was used in this study.

Community-Based Interventions to Improve the Control of Non-Communicable Diseases in Underserved Rural Areas in Brazil: A Before-and-After Study

Background: Hypertension and diabetes mellitus are the second and third highest leading causes of disability-adjusted life-years (DALY), respectively, in Brazil. The clinical outcomes of chronic diseases are influenced by various factors. Therefore, there is a need for multifaceted interventions to achieve a decrease in the rate of DALY, with a better control of these diseases. Objective: To verify whether sustainable long-term interventions, such as health worker training and provision of health education to the patients, contribute to health improvements in patients with hypertension and diabetes from rural communities. Methods: Over a 6 month period, educational and medical interventions were provided to optimize the treatment of hypertension and diabetes. Furthermore, blood pressure and glycated hemoglobin (HbA1c) measurements were taken at baseline and after the interventions. Results: The monitored hypertensive patients (n = 276) had a reduction of 13.4 mmHg (p = 0.021) and 5.8 mmHg (p < 0.001) in mean systolic and diastolic blood pressure, respectively. Diabetic patients who were followed-up (n = 71) achieved a 0.55% (p = 0.185) reduction in HbA1c level. The desired blood pressure level (<140/90 mmHg) was achieved in 38.8% of patients with hypertension, whereas the desired level of HbA1c (<7.0% for adults and <8.0% for the elderly) was achieved in 16.9% of patients with diabetes; in addition, 38.0% had a reduction of HbA1c of at least 1%. Conclusion: The results showed that the interventions improved the blood pressure and HbA1c levels in patients with hypertension and diabetes from rural communities in a municipality in Northeast Brazil.

Global Disparities in Skin Cancer Services at HIV Treatment Centers across 29 Countries

Global Disparities in Skin Cancer Services at HIV Treatment Centers across 29 Countries

Community Perceptions of the Determinants of Diabetes in Peri-Urban Vanuatu.

Health promotion is a core component of the Pacific region's response to noncommunicable diseases (NCDs) prevention and control. However, while health promotion should build on and be informed by contextually specific norms and social discourse, there remains a paucity in research that seeks to understand how people in the Pacific region comprehend chronic conditions and their determinants. Based in peri-urban Vanuatu, this codesigned study utilized an open-ended survey to investigate community perceptions of factors contributing to the development of type 2 diabetes. Results demonstrate a complex picture of diabetes-specific health literacy, with 22 distinct causes identified by 308 respondents. Dietary factors were commonly acknowledged; however, dietary complexity was not well understood. Limited recognition of the role of tobacco and alcohol consumption in disease development was also noted. Overall, findings demonstrate mixed successes in NCD-related health promotion. Moving away from more universalized approaches commonly advocated by donors, this research identifies the need for locally designed and driven health promotion that focuses on more nuanced, culturally sensitive, and contextually grounded messaging.

Stakeholder perceptions of current practices and challenges in priority setting for non-communicable disease control in Kenya: a qualitative study

ObjectiveTo explore the stakeholders’ perceptions of current practices and challenges in priority setting for non-communicable disease (NCD) control in Kenya.DesignA qualitative study approach conducted within a 1-day stakeholder workshop that...

Review on Health Benefits of Fruit and Vegetables Consumption: Preventive Implications for Non-communicable Diseases in Ethiopia

Globally, the low consumption of fruit and vegetables (FV) below the requirement is contributed to increase the incidence of non-communicable diseases (NCDs) like obesity, cardio vascular disease, cancers and leading cause of death worldwide. Therefore, the objective of this review was to document existing information concerning the health benefits of FV consumption and their potential role for the prevention of NCDs in Ethiopia. Related and published researches have reviewed and discussed critically. In Ethiopia, the total domestic consumption of fresh FV was estimated at 760,000 metric tons however, low FV was consumed (1.5%) compared to other regions of the world. Ethiopia’s per capita consumption of fresh fruits is approximately 7kg/person/year which is far below the recommended minimum level of dietary intake (146kg/person/year). The review also showed that the burden of NCDs in Ethiopia is increasing and estimated to account for 30% of total deaths. Despite the increasing burden of NCDs, health systems and public health policies have been mostly focused on controlling infectious diseases, under nutrition and micronutrient deficiencies. A comprehensive strategic action plan for the prevention and control of NCDs and its associated risk factors was also developed in the country but, there is a need for a better understanding of the burden of dietary risk factors and their contribution to NCDs to achieve the goals of the strategic plan effectively and efficiently. Moreover, this review identified that family income, lower paternal educational, poor nutritional knowledge and practice issues were associated to low FV consumption. However, there are no adequate data at national level in Ethiopia to identify barriers to low FV consumption. Fruit and vegetables intake need to be promoted through mass media, nutrition education intervention and multi-sectorial approaches to prevent non-communicable diseases. Keywords : Fruits, vegetables, non-communicable diseases, prevention, Ethiopia DOI: 10.7176/JMPB/70-03 Publication date: April 30 th 2021