Levels Of Non-communicable Diseases Research Articles

Prevalence of metabolic disorders among women in reproductive age group in hilly rural area of North India.

Metabolic syndrome consists of cardiometabolic risk factors that promote the development of atherosclerotic cardiovascular disease, type 2 'DM' and obesity. These are associated with increased cardiovascular mortality and morbidity. Metabolic disorders (MD) are becoming more prevalent both in developing countries and developed countries and are now considered as lifestyle diseases. In women of reproductive age group, especially pregnancy, the blood glucose level is increasing which adversely affects the health of mother and child. Similarly, high blood pressure also precipitates the problems. This study was carried out to find the prevalence of hypertension, diabetes mellitus, obesity and 'MD' among the women living in remote rural set-up. This cross-sectional study was done among women of reproductive age group in 15 villages from 5 panchayats of field practice area of Maharishi Markandeshwar Medical College and Hospital, Kumarhatti, Solan. They were screened for 'MD' through investigative procedures (weight, height, BMR, abdominal girth, blood pressure through sphygmomanometer, blood glucose through the glucometer method), serum HDL and triglycerides. Respondents from the family were asked about the common/general information of house. The tool used for collecting general and relevant information from the respondent was a questionnaire, which was pretested for validity before being used in the field. Four-hundred and sixty-seven women of reproductive age group participated in the study. Half of the participants were with qualification of matriculate and 9.2% participants were illiterate. Three-fourths of the participants were married women and 89% were vegetarian. Sixty-four per cent of participants were housewives. Half of the participants had a normal BMI, whereas 28.9% were overweight and 10% were obese. The prevalence of hypertension and diabetes among the participants were 12.5% and 9.8%, respectively. Forty-seven per cent participants had a waist circumference above 80 cm. The level of non-communicable diseases is related with the MD which has the adverse effect on the various systems and organs of the subjects. The MD can be controlled with the certain changes in the life style pattern. The GOI is also concerned with such scenarios in the country. It is recommended that women of reproductive age group undergo regular blood pressure and blood sugar screenings to detect hypertension and diabetes early and take appropriate measures to manage them.

Co-designing the pedestrian revolution in Muscat

Rapid growth coupled with the prevailing land allocation system in Oman led to a shift from compact dwellings typologies to detached single-family houses, arranged in monofunctional zoning systems that exclusively rely on cars. Due to the sprawled transformation, authorities are unable to provide new neighborhoods with basic infrastructure and attractive open spaces. Consequently, the level of non-communicable diseases is increasing, making urban regeneration programs promoting active lifestyles in built environments a matter of public health. In our research we explore participative-planning strategies to enhance pedestrian activity within existing neighborhoods and regenerate public spaces. We conducted a quantitative survey using a standard walkability scale and physical maps to identify barriers to pedestrian activity. Subsequently, we employed the data to frame culturally sensitive co-creation workshops, gaining in-depth knowledge to guide future redesign proposals. We found that mosques are walking magnets yet engender contrasting views with regard to walkability; finding solutions to the spatial problems could develop them into walkable cores. We also observed that residents were aware of health problems caused by lack of physical activity and how that links with the built environment they inhabit. They were eager to discuss solutions, including alternative governance models, as long as the process was short and produced immediate small interventions with high-level impact on their surroundings. We employed a fine-grained combination of methods to address site-specific challenges. Its quantitative data allows the insertion in a broader discourse and the linkage to a large body of research in walkability. Co-creation workshops, especially city games, proved to be a powerful tool to initiate dialogue on complex spatial negotiation, even in societies where participatory approaches do not have a well-established tradition.

Physical activity trends in the world and among medical students

Physical activity is currently one of the most important components of health and longevity. Our environment has changed significantly lately. Technological progress is growing very fast. The technology around us shows us comfort. All these factors significantly reduce the level of physical activity in everyday life. This increases the level of noncommunicable diseases, which significantly reduce the quality of life and life expectancy of people around the world. All that we need, with such a significant decline in our health is physical exercise. The aim of the study is to study the trends in the level of physical activity in the world and among medical students during training. To achieve these goals, an information-analytical analysis of the level of physical activity in the world was carried out, as well as data on the level of physical activity of students were analyzed. The article provides literature data on the quantitative and qualitative composition of physical activity in everyday life, individual data on the level of physical activity of medical students. Weekly physical activity was from 31.7% to 35.1% at different periods of study. At the same time, the absence or low level of physical activity was noted among third-year students - 62.5% and 40.5% (p <0.05) in the fifth year of study. With these positive changes in the student learning process, it was found that from 20.6% to 24.3% of students spend less than two hours a day communicating on social networks. All the rest spend much more time on this type of communication. It was found that the level of physical activity is very low. To achieve the normative level of physical activity, which has a direct relationship with health, It is necessary to increase public awareness on the importance of physical activity and its impact on health, as well as to recommend a reduction in student’s time management, and to provide them with the opportunity to participate in sporting activities.

The noncommunicable disease outcomes of primary healthcare screening in two rural subdistricts of the Eastern Cape Province, South Africa.

BackgroundMiddle and lower income countries are challenged with a double burden of disease: while still coping with the onslaught of Human Immunodeficiency Virus (HIV) and increasing levels of tuberculosis (TB), there is a considerable increase in the level of noncommunicable diseases (NCDs). The poor are especially disadvantaged and are at an increased risk for NCDs. Adequate healthcare resources for this environment can only be allocated once the extent and exact nature of the problem is determined.Aim and settingThe aim of this study was to collect demographic and NCD-related data in the poorest community of the poorest province of South Africa in order to determine the extent of the problem and advise on allocation of resources accordingly.MethodsData were collected via a household primary health screening process, which included taking anthropometric measurements, blood pressure and blood glucose and referring to clinics for further testing and treatment where necessary.ResultsIt was found that the population screened was generally older, consisted of women, and had a high incidence of obesity and hypertension. Of note was the fact that in those without known hypertension, close to 40% of individuals had possible newly diagnosed hypertension. This increased with increase in age and body mass index (BMI). The total prevalence of diabetes was close to 5%, but possible new diabetes was considerably lower at approximately 1%.ConclusionIn this rural area of the Eastern Cape, South Africa, undiagnosed hypertension is a major concern and renewed efforts at detection and control are warranted.

Realizing the potential of indigenous vegetables through improved germplasm information and seed systems

Nutritionally-poor diets as a result of over-consumption of poor quality processed foods are one of the main contributing factors to the alarming level of non-communicable diseases and the obesity pandemic observed today in the Pacific. National, regional and international health-related programmes have therefore targeted improving nutrition with the promotion of nutritionally rich local vegetables frequently a major programme activity. Indigenous vegetables not only provide nutritional benefits. Their resilience to climate extremes is increasingly being reported and the global interest in unique and healthy foods presents opportunities for market development, both locally and overseas. Despite significant promotional activities and a seeming awareness of their potential, indigenous vegetables remain neglected, with consumption relatively low, although differences exist across the Pacific. The lack of agronomic, morphological and nutritional information and limited availability of good quality planting material through seed systems are just two of several reasons given for the failure of indigenous vegetables to make the transition from subsistence crops of limited use to crops that are more researched, available, utilized and commercially competitive. This paper discusses case studies from within and outside of the Pacific to consider how much the lack of effective germplasm information and seed systems are real constraints in the development of indigenous vegetables, and the role of formal and informal approaches in their conservation and improvement. Further, the influence of social, cultural, sectoral and economic perceptions on developing appropriate agricultural support services is also considered.

Emerging patterns of reported morbidity and hospitalisation in West Bengal, India

This paper presents evidence on the levels, patterns and determinants of morbidity prevalence and hospitalisation in the state of West Bengal in India using data from the 60th round (2004) of the National Sample Survey Organisation on ‘morbidity and health care’. The reported morbidity and hospitalisation rates were considerably higher in urban than in rural populations. Age indicated substantial effects on morbidity and hospitalisation in both rural and urban areas, with females reporting higher morbidity than males in urban areas. Caste, region and seasonal differences in morbidity prevalence were found significant only in rural areas, but socio-economic inequalities in the prevalence of morbidity and hospitalisation were lower in urban areas. Morbidity and hospitalisation rates were more strongly related with household monthly per capita expenditure than to educational attainment. The distribution of ailments suggest that West Bengal is passing through the advanced phase of epidemiologic transition in which communicable diseases are being swiftly replaced with rising levels of non-communicable diseases.