Prevention Of Non-communicable Diseases Research Articles

Population-Level Distribution, Risk Factors, and Burden of Mortality and Disability-Adjusted Life Years Attributable to Major Noncommunicable Diseases in Western Europe (1990-2021): Ecological Analysis.

Cardiovascular diseases (CVDs) and neoplasms are leading causes of mortality worldwide. This study aims to provide a comprehensive analysis of the mortality burden and disability-adjusted life years (DALYs) attributable to CVDs and neoplasms in Western Europe, investigate associated risk factors, and identify regional disparities. Additionally, the study evaluates the effectiveness of the Action Plan for the Prevention and Control of Non-Communicable Diseases (NCDs) in promoting healthier lives in the region. The study collected data on mortality and DALYs due to CVDs and cancers from 24 Western European countries using the Global Burden of Disease Study 2021. The analysis explored age, sex, and country-specific patterns, as well as risk factors contributing to these deaths. Additionally, the study examined time trends by calculating the annual percent change in mortality rates from 1990 to 2021 by region and cause. In 2021, CVDs and neoplasms accounted for 27.8% and 27.1% of total deaths in Western Europe, with age-standardized death rates of 106.8 and 125.8 per 100,000, respectively. The top two CVDs in this region were ischemic heart disease and stroke, with age-standardized death rates of 47.27 (95% uncertainty interval [UI] 50.42-41.45) and 27.06 (95% UI 29.17-23.00), respectively. Similarly, the top two neoplasms were lung cancer and colorectal cancer, with age-standardized death rates of 26.4 (95% UI 27.69-24.47) and 15.1 (95% UI 16.25-13.53), respectively. Between 1990 and 2021, CVD mortality rates decreased by 61.9%, while cancer rates decreased by 28.27%. Finland had the highest CVD burden (39.5%), and Monaco had the highest rate of cancer-related deaths (34.8%). Gender differences were observed, with males experiencing a higher burden of both CVDs and cancer. Older individuals were also more at risk. Smoking had a stronger impact on CVD mortality and DALYs in males, while a higher Human Development Index was associated with increased cancer deaths and DALYs in females. The study findings highlight the substantial burden of NCDs, particularly CVDs and cancer, in Western Europe. This underscores the critical need for targeted interventions and effective implementation of the Action Plan for the Prevention and Control of NCDs to achieve the goal of ensuring healthy lives for all.

Implementation of Standard Physiotherapy Service Policies In Puskesmas: Literature Review

The growing prevalence of non-communicable diseases (NCDs) such as hypertension, stroke, diabetes, joint disorders, lack of physical activity, injury, and disability has resulted in an increasing need for physiotherapy services within healthcare facilities, especially at community health centers. Despite many unresolved public health issues, the rise of NCDs continues to pose significant challenges. According to the Minister of Health Regulation No. 65 of 2015, physiotherapy services are crucial in primary healthcare as part of promotive and preventive efforts, without neglecting curative and rehabilitative functions. This study aims to highlight the importance of physiotherapy in community health centers in providing both preventive and supportive care to address the public's increasing healthcare demands. The findings emphasize the strategic role of physiotherapists in disease prevention and health promotion at the primary level. The novelty of this research lies in its focus on the integration of physiotherapy into primary care services as a proactive approach to managing NCDs. The contribution of this research is to support healthcare policy and practices that prioritize physiotherapy services to improve public health outcomes, particularly in the prevention and management of NCDs.

Non-alcohlic Fatty Liver Disease (NAFLD): Is it a Dormant Volcano or Tip of an Iceberg?

Non-alcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD), a major cause of chronic liver disease, is known to affect a quarter of the global adults. Natural history of NAFLD shows interindividual variation, traditionally it progresses from simple steatosis to steatohepatitis to fibrosis/cirrhosis and finally yet rarely to hepatocellular carcinoma. It is largely a lifestyle-related disease and is often labeled as the hepatic manifestation of metabolic syndrome. Both prevention and control of NAFLD include controlling risk factors (obesity, diabetes mellitus, hypertension and dyslipidemia), through lifestyle modification and medications. Drug therapy for NAFLD per se is still evolving and till date, no drugs are approved. It is clinically silent, especially in the early stages, and is a diagnosis of exclusion. Certain easily calculated indices can stratify cases into high or low risk for advanced fibrosis, thereby dictating appropriate monitoring and treatment measures. In addition to complications specific to liver disease in those who do progress to advanced fibrosis or cirrhosis, an increased risk of nonliver disease-related morbidity and mortality is also present. Challenges are manifold and include rising burden due to ever-growing epidemic of diabetes and obesity, low public awareness, fragmented healthcare, no approved drugs, and dearth of data on magnitude and epidemiology of the disease. The recent integration of NAFLD into the National Program for Prevention and Control of Non-Communicable Diseases (NPCDCS) by the Ministry of Health and Family Welfare of India is a welcome step in this direction as the contributory factors are mostly the same for all diseases and controlling any one or all of them will have a desired impact on the prevalence of all the diseases under this program.

Multimorbidity raises the odds of decease in COVID-19 patients: An Iranian prospective study

Introduction: The prevalence of noncommunicable diseases is high in Iran. We postulated that multimorbidity may affect the rate of mortality from COVID-19. So, we investigated the relationship between multimorbidity and COVID-19 mortality. Methods: We used medical reports for collecting clinical laboratory data of patients with COVID-19 in this prospective investigation. Moreover, we documented whether the patient had a known diagnosis of different comorbidities. The patients with more than one comorbidity were considered multimorbidity. The length of follow-up was till participants were discharged from the hospital or deceased. The main outcome was to evaluate the relationship between multimorbidity and death in COVID-19 hospitalized patients. Results: The present prospective study included 1842 patients with COVID-19 with a multimorbidity rate of 37.40%. About 24.6% of participants with more than four comorbidities died. However, this value was about 17% in participants with less than four comorbidities. The odds of mortality from COVID-19 were 53% greater in patients with diabetes. Also, the odds of death were 2.05 (1.21, 3.45) times greater in patients with comorbidities≥4. Conclusion: The results indicated a high rate of multimorbidity in patients with COVID-19 which is related to a higher death rate. So, in countries with higher multimorbidity rates such as Iran, it is necessary to design efficient approaches to alleviate the spread of COVID-19.

The Role of Dietary Ingredients and Herbs in the Prevention of Non-Communicable Chronic Liver Disease

Background: Liver diseases are among the most commonly diagnosed conditions, with the main risk factors being inappropriate lifestyles, including poor diet, excessive alcohol consumption, low physical activity and smoking, including electronic cigarettes. Non-communicable chronic liver diseases also often develop as a result of accompanying overweight and obesity, as well as type 2 diabetes. Methods: The literature on risk factors for non-communicable chronic liver diseases, which show a high strong influence on their occurrence, was analysed. Results: Measures to prevent non-communicable chronic liver disease include the selection of suitable food ingredients that have proven protective effects on the liver. Such ingredients include dietary fibre, probiotics, herbs, various types of polyphenols and fatty acids (omega-3). Conclusions: Because of their liver-protective effects, nutritionists recommend consuming vegetables, fruits, herbs and spices that provide valuable ingredients with anti-inflammatory and anti-cancer effects. These components should be provided with food and, in the case of probiotics, supplementation appears to be important. As a preventive measure, a diet rich in these nutrients is therefore recommended, as well as one that prevents overweight and other diseases that can result in liver disease.

Readiness of the health system to provide non-communicable disease services in Nepal: a comparison between the 2015 and 2021 comprehensive health facility surveys

BackgroundIn Nepal, despite the escalating burden of non-communicable diseases (NCDs), there is a gap in the continuum of care for prevention, diagnosis, treatment, and care services for NCDs. The study aimed at assessing the changes in availability and readiness scores of health facilities between two consecutive health facility surveys.MethodsWe compared NCD readiness scores between 2015 and 2021, using data from two nationally representative cross-sectional Nepal Health Facility Surveys (NHFS). Both consecutive surveys used globally validated standard tools of Demographic and Health Surveys (DHS)’s service provision assessment. Both surveys were undertaken using World Health Organization’s (WHO) service availability and readiness assessment (SARA) tools. Data were collected using the Census and Survey Processing System on tablets, with validation performed through field check tables. Trained enumerators with a medical background collected data for the surveys, and we analyzed the information from a de-identified dataset downloaded from the DHS website upon request. Both the NHFS protocols were reviewed and approved by the Nepal Health Research Council and the institutional review board of ICF. We calculated the readiness scores based on WHO SARA indicators for diabetes, cardiovascular disease (CVD), and chronic respiratory disease (CRD) using a additive procedure. Multivariate linear regression analysis was undertaken to assess associated factors, with complex sampling design accounting for both surveys.ResultsThe overall availability of all three services has improved between 2015 and 2021 NHFS. Although the availability of diabetes-related services increased significantly between 2015 and 2021, this does not correspond to the increase in the readiness score. The readiness score increased by 10% points for CVDs related services and 9% points for CRDs. Compared to public hospitals, primary healthcare facilities experienced greater increase in readiness scores (11.5% versus 20.9%). Interestingly, those health facilities without quality assurance systems experienced a lower increase or even decrease in readiness scores than those with quality assurance systems. For the factors associated with readiness scores, health facilities charging additional or separate fees to the patients had a higher readiness score than those not charging any user fee for all three services. Compared to 2015, the readiness scores in 2021 improved for diabetes [β = 11.01 (95% CI 9.02 to 12.96)], CVD [β = 10.70 (95% CI 9.61 to 11.80)], and CRD [β = 8.41 (95% CI 7.20 to 9.62)].ConclusionThe improvement in NCD service availability does not correspond to the proportional increase in readiness scores, which is crucial for delivering quality care. Regular staff meetings and feedback systems are crucial for improving all services including NCD-related service readiness and should be prioritized by local and provincial governments.

Modeling and empirical evidence of the impact of implementation of sugar sweetened-beverages tax to reduce non-communicable diseases prevalence: a systematic review.

The surge in non-communicable diseases (NCDs) has been linked to excessive sugar-sweetened beverage (SSB) consumption. In response, the World Health Organization advocates for SSB taxes as a preventive measure. This study conducts a systematic literature review, encompassing simulation modeling and empirical evidence, to evaluate the effectiveness of SSB taxes in diminishing NCD prevalence. A systematic search from August 2002 to August 2022, utilizing databases like ScienceDirect, PubMed, Google Scholar, Wiley Online Library, Springer, and ResearchGate, identified 29 relevant articles worldwide following PRISMA 2020. The Critical Appraisal Skill Programme (CASP) 2018 tool was employed for economic evaluation. Among the selected articles, 22 utilized simulation models in group of countries such as South Africa, the US, the UK, Asia (Philippines, India, Indonesia, Thailand), Australia, and Europe (Germany), while seven were based on US and UK evidence. Simulation modeling consistently demonstrated that SSB taxes significantly reduced NCD incidence, prevalence, and mortality, also bolstering government revenue. Tax rates in simulations ranged from 10 to 25%. However, empirical evidence indicated a limited impact, primarily due to low tax rates. Notably, a UK-specific tax led to a 2.7% reduction in SSB sugar purchases and 40.2% higher purchases of no-levy drinks. The findings suggest that while simulation models demonstrate the potential effectiveness of SSB taxes in reducing NCDs, empirical evidence reveals there is no significant effect of the SSB tax, Based on the study conducted in this study, the SSB tax is not effective in reducing the prevalence of NCDs due to consumer preferences that have not changed. , likely due to the implementation of lower tax rates and failure to fulfill the assumption of subtitution product, physical activity, and so on. The study highlights that SSB tax is not effective in reducing the prevalence of NCDs due to consumer preference that have not change. Multi-actions are needed to support the sustainability of the implementation of the SSB tax, including education and promotion of healthy lifestyles and encouragement to reformulate SSB products by industry.

Association of 24-hour movement behaviors and non-communicable diseases among adults of Udupi, Karnataka, India

ABSTRACT Optimizing 24-hour movement behaviors (physical activity (PA), sleep and sedentary time (ST)) is crucial for the prevention of non-communicable diseases (NCDs). However, the association of 24-hour movement behaviors with NCD risk remains largely obscured in low-middle-income countries. The present study aimed to explore the association between 24-hour movement behaviors and the occurrence of NCDs. An online survey was administered among 310 community-dwelling adults (age 18–65 years) of coastal Karnataka, enquiring sociodemographic profiles, 24-hour movement behaviors and presence of NCD. While spending 33% of daily time in sleep, the respondents spent 30% in light-intensity PA (LIPA), 19% in sedentary and 18% in moderate–vigorous PA (MVPA). Multivariate regression revealed that higher sleep time was significantly associated with higher odds of NCDs (estimate, β = 0.20, odds ratio = 0.82, p < 0.05). However, no significant associations were found for other 24-hour movement behaviors with NCD risk [ST (β = 0.12, p = 0.122), LIPA (β = −0.01, p = 0.184) and MVPA (β = −0.01, p = 0.357)]. Subgroup analyses showed that age and body mass were positively associated with NCDs, while lower socio-economic status was associated with lower sitting time (β = −3.84, p = 0.009) and lower LIPA (−318.49, p = 0.018). Higher age, body mass index and long sleep hours were associated with higher risk of NCDs. These findings may necessitate the inclusion of optimal sleep hours and body mass in health promotion guidelines to prevent chronic diseases among the regional population of coastal Karnataka.

Social branding for health promotion against non-communicable diseases in Maharashtra, India

Introduction: The burden of non-communicable diseases (NCDs) is a major challenge for countries, regardless of their level of development. Social branding is an emerging approach to health promotion for NCD prevention. In this paper, the process of social branding is documented as a case study to help researchers develop similar kinds of interventions in the settings in which they work. Methods: The process of developing a social brand is documented through conversations with the project team, observations in the field, interaction with community local members, and information gathered through photographs, videos and newspaper clippings. Results: The social brand focused upon in this study was named the Aarogyachi Vaari (Health Pilgrimage) inspired by the Pandrapur Wari, a religious pilgrimage undertaken in the state of Maharashtra, India. Various stakeholders from self-help groups, panchayat raj institutions and schools from the local village collaborated successfully to implement the health event in a manner similar to the way in which diverse religious groups come together for the Pandrapur Wari religious pilgrimage. The Aarogyachi Vaari took the form of a strategically planned health event consisting of various health promotion stalls, many developed by local villagers themselves. The organisation of the event was aided by resource mobilisation within the local community. Discussion: Social branding can be an effective tool for health promotion in community settings. Studying people’s cultural preferences and what makes them feel connected and excited can lay the foundations for the creation of a social brand that reflects their choices and helps them take up healthy behaviours on their own. It is possible to mobilise a community for health through social branding that is culturally relevant and connected to the interests and priorities of local people.

Estimating The Prevalence of Non-Communicable Diseases and Adherence to Dietary Habits And Physical Activity Among Healthcare Professionals in The Middle East And North Africa Regions

The rising number of fatalities linked to food, exercise, and non-communicable illnesses has sparked interest in studying their effects. In society, Healthcare Professionals (HCPs) symbolize health and wellbeing. However, the incidence of chronic illness and healthy habits among Middle East and North Africa (MENA) HCPs remains unclear. To determine the prevalence of chronic diseases and adherence to healthy dietary habits and physical activity among HCPs in the MENA region. Algeria, Egypt, El Yemen, Iraq, Jordan, Kuwait, Libya, Palestine, Saudi Arabia, Sudan, and Syria HCPs (physicians, dentists, nurses, pharmacists, and nutritionists) participated in multicenter cross-sectional research. April to June 2022 data on diet and exercise habits was collected using a pre-tested self-administered questionnaire. Demographics, risk factors, medical history, and nutrition and exercise were included in the questionnaire. HCP diet and exercise were examined using multivariable regression models. A study of 7130 HCPs (mean age 28.6 ± 7.8 years, 57.5% females) was conducted. Physicians held 56.8% of the sample population, followed by pharmacists, nurses, dentists, and nutritionists. Cardiovascular disease (CVD) affected 33.1% of individuals. Alcohol, pork, soda, sugar, and smoking raised the risk of non-communicable diseases. Nutritionists were the most active HCPs. About half of dietitians (45.3%) walked 150 minutes or more per week, while 14.7% and 25.9% did 150 minutes or more of moderate and 75 minutes or more of intense exercise, respectively. HCPs in MENA had high rates of CVD and risk factors such smoking, alcohol, pork, soda, sugar, and less exercise. MENA HCPs must be aware of the significant incidence of these risk factors to enhance health behavior.

Barriers and facilitators to dissemination of non-communicable diseases research: a mixed studies systematic review.

There is a large number of research studies about the prevention of non-communicable diseases (NCD), with findings taking several years to be translated into practice. One reason for this lack of translation is a limited understanding of how to best disseminate NCD research findings to user-groups in a way that is salient and useful. An understanding of barriers and facilitators to dissemination is key to informing the development of strategies to increase dissemination. Therefore, this review aims to identify and synthesise the barriers and facilitators to dissemination of NCD research findings. A mixed studies systematic review was performed following JBI (formerly known as Joanna Briggs Institute) methodology. The search included articles from January 2000 until May 2021. We conducted a comprehensive search of bibliographic and grey literature of five databases to identify eligible studies. Studies were included if they involved end-users of public health research that were decision-makers in their setting and examined barriers/facilitators to disseminating research findings. Two pairs of reviewers mapped data from included studies against the Framework of Knowledge Translation (FKT) and used a convergent approach to synthesise the data. The database search yielded 27,192 reports. Following screening and full text review, 15 studies (ten qualitative, one quantitative and four mixed methods) were included. Studies were conducted in 12 mostly high-income countries, with a total of 871 participants. We identified 12 barriers and 14 facilitators mapped to five elements of the FKT. Barriers related to: (i) the user-group (n = 3) such as not perceiving health as important and (ii) the dissemination strategies (n = 3) such as lack of understanding of content of guidelines. Several facilitators related to dissemination strategies (n = 5) such as using different channels of communication. Facilitators also related to the user-group (n = 4) such as the user-groups' interest in health and research. Researchers and government organisations should consider these factors when identifying ways to disseminate research findings to decision-maker audiences. Future research should aim to build the evidence base on different strategies to overcome these barriers. The protocol of this review was deposited in Open Science Framework (https://doi.org/10.17605/OSF.IO/5QSGD).

Population-based cohort across stroke life course in India-The NIMHANS-NH-SKAN stroke project: A study protocol.

Stroke is a leading cause of death and disability worldwide. In India, it is the fourth leading cause of death and fifth leading cause of disability, posing a major public health concern. National surveys reveal an increasing trend in stroke risk factors such as tobacco use, physical activity, alcohol use, hypertension, and dyslipidemia. However, knowledge regarding the combined effect of these risk factors and their various combinations is limited. Understanding the individual, combined, and synergistic effects of known risk factors, along with new risk factors, is essential to address gaps in stroke epidemiology. This study aims to examine the effect of various risk factors of acute stroke and their association with stroke occurrence and its outcomes (survival, disability and quality of life). This retrospective-prospective cohort will be conducted in one taluka of Kolara district and two urban wards of Bengaluru with a total population of ~400,000. All stroke-free individuals above 30 years of age ~200,000 individuals in the selected sites will be participants of stroke-free period and all first ever stroke patients in the community will be part of stroke and post-stroke period respectively. The study subjects will be recruited through a complete house-to-house survey at baseline and undergo annual follow-ups during the stroke-free period, with specific assessments at defined time points during the stroke and post-stroke period for a period of one year. Efforts are implemented to minimize loss to follow-up, including community engagement, a helpline number, and hospital-based surveillance. This large population-based cohort study addressing stroke epidemiology in the country, is one -of-its-kind, attempting to fill certain critical gaps in the natural history, management, and outcomes of stroke in India. This research has the potential to provide important insights into the effect of novel risk factors of stroke and various combinations of risk factors of stroke. Furthermore, the development of a stroke risk predictability calculator will add value to the existing Indian National Programme for Prevention & Control of Non-Communicable Diseases (NP-NCD) and offers a model for similar countries once developed.

Healthy nutrition – prevention of chronic non-communicable diseases. Overview of recommendations

The article provides an overview of the National Recommendations on healthy nutrition available in Europe, Asia (China), the USA and the Russian Federation, assesses the compliance of the presented guidelines with the principles of a healthy diet according to the recommendations of the World Health Organization, and analyzes their role in the prevention of the development of non-infectious diseases, including number of diseases of the cardiovascular system. A search of relevant literature for the review was conducted in PubMed (www.pubmed.gov) using English keywords (“national dietary guidelines”, “WHO diet”, “FBDG”, “dietary guidelines”, “cardiovascular factors”), the website of the National Project of the Russian Federation “Healthy Nutrition” (https://здоровое-питание.рф), eLIBRARY.RU (https://elibrary.ru/defaultx.asp) using keywords in Russian (“ESSE-RF”, “risk factors for non-infectious diseases”, “nutrition”). Publications published between 1995 and 2022 were considered. The review included the National Recommendations in force for 2023, as well as the results of cohort and multicenter studies, the purpose of which was to assess the impact of current recommendations on the development of traditional cardiovascular risk factors, associated clinical conditions (myocardial infarction, stroke, etc.), as well as the impact on general mortality. Publications with completely duplicate data and conclusions were excluded, and in case of partial overlap, both sources were indicated. As a result, a list was compiled of articles, newsletters, and links with up-to-date information on the National Guidelines.

Prevalence of Non-Communicable Diseases and Access to Healthcare Among Internally Displaced People During the Armed Conflict, Northern State (Sudan).

Non-communicable diseases emerge as major public health challenges with increasing prevalence and mortality. The armed conflict in Sudan has resulted in the displacement of 6.8 million people, putting a significant strain on the health sector in the displacement areas. This study aimed to explore the prevalence of non-communicable diseases and access to healthcare services among internally displaced people in Northern Sudan. A cross-sectional study was conducted among randomly selected internally displaced people in accommodation shelters at Dongola locality. Data were collected by face-to-face interviews using a questionnaire adapted from relevant studies. For data analysis descriptive statistics and chi-square tests were utilized using SPSS-27. 374 participated in the study with a 96.1% response rate. 70% of respondents were 18-49 years old. 70.9% of respondents were females, and 92.8% of them had no source of financial income. The prevalence of non-communicable diseases was 42.5%, with hypertension (44.7%), diabetes mellitus (24.7%), and thyroid disorders (15.2%) predominating. About 45.7% of patients interrupted their medication, and 38.6% could not access healthcare services, while 57.2% of respondents received free medical care. The study found a statistically significant association between the type of disease and age, gender, residence before displacement, and the Length of displacement. 42.5% of the internally displaced suffer from non-communicable diseases, with hypertension, diabetes mellitus, and thyroid disorders predominating. About 45.3 and 38.6% of them respectively have interrupted their medications and lost regular follow up. The urgent need for improved healthcare services is recommended.

Exploring diseases burden in HIV population: Results from the CHAO (Comorbidities in HIV/AIDS outpatients) cross-sectional study in Kenya

BackgroundAfrica is the epicenter of the HIV epidemic, with over two-thirds of the global population living with HIV. It is also facing a dramatic increase in non-communicable diseases (NCDs) amidst its aging population. This necessitates a healthcare approach that addresses both infectious diseases and NCDs in HIV-positive individuals. In Kenya, with 1.4 million HIV-positive people, efforts include widespread ART access and integrating HIV services into the health system. Challenges remain in healthcare infrastructure, particularly in rural areas. The Comorbidities in HIV/AIDS Outpatients (CHAO) Project, funded by the Italian Cooperation Agency, aims to improve understanding and management of comorbidities in HIV patients, highlighting the need for cost-effective healthcare strategies to address this dual burden. MethodsThe CHAO (Comorbidities in HIV/AIDS Outpatients) project conducted a cross-sectional epidemiological study across 25 clinics in Meru County, Kenya. The study included comprehensive surveys and screenings for various comorbidities among HIV-positive patients receiving treatment, utilizing both clinical evaluations and laboratory tests to assess the prevalence of infectious diseases and NCDs. ResultsA total of 1051 HIV-positive individuals were included in the study: 75 % females, 25 % males, median age 47 years, the majority (96 %) on long-term ART, mostly Dolutegravir-based (95 %). 55.4 % had at least one comorbidity, with NCDs such as dyslipidemia (21.22 %) and hypertension (20.17 %) being the most prevalent. The study also noted significant occurrences of communicable diseases, including syphilis (5.23 %), hepatitis B (2.19 %), and hepatitis C (0.29 %). The prevalence of comorbidities varied with age, highlighting the impact of aging on disease burden. DiscussionThe high prevalence of comorbidities among HIV-positive patients in Meru County underscores the need for integrated healthcare strategies that address both infectious diseases and NCDs. The findings advocate for systematic screening and management of comorbidities within HIV care programs, emphasizing the need for holistic health approaches to improve outcomes for this population.

Gestational Diabetes Mellitus Awareness: An Integral Component of Maternal Health

Abstract This study aims to review the existing literature on awareness of Gestational Diabetes Mellitus (GDM) with a particular emphasis on studies from India. The review highlights that the awareness of GDM among the general population requires significant attention. It also identifies a low level of understanding regarding the risks and complications associated with these conditions among participants. Notably, there is a scarcity of literature focused on pregnant women and the availability of awareness programs for this group. The review concludes that enhancing knowledge and awareness of GDM is crucial for public health policies and the successful implementation of the National Program for Prevention of Non-Communicable Diseases

Effect of diet on the management of hypertension and type 2 diabetes mellitus in adults from low-income and middle-income countries: protocol for a systematic review of randomised controlled trials.

Hypertension and type 2 diabetes mellitus (T2DM) are two highly prevalent non-communicable diseases worldwide, both leading to disability and premature mortality in low-and-middle-income countries (LMICs). Nutritional interventions towards a healthier dietary pattern or food and nutrients intake have an important role on the management of this disease. This systematic review aims to evaluate the effect of nutritional interventions on the management of blood pressure and glycaemia in adults with hypertension and T2DM from LMICs. We will conduct a systematic review of randomised controlled trials (RCTs) on the effect of nutritional interventions on blood pressure and glycaemia in adult patients with hypertension and T2DM. Literature search will be conducted in MEDLINE, EMBASE, Scopus, Cochrane and Web of Science databases from anytime until April 2024. Nutritional interventions would have been applied in addition to regular or standard treatment, which is prescribed and/or provided by the healthcare system. Studies in English and Spanish will be selected and reviewed by two independent reviewers. Risk of bias will be assessed using the Cochrane tool for RCTs. Heterogeneity and publication bias will be estimated using the I2 and Egger's test, respectively. Ethics approval was not required for this systematic review, considering there was no direct data collection or participation of patients. The investigators will write a manuscript of the final detailed report with the study development and main findings to be published in a peer- reviewed journal. The main findings may be shared with academia partners and groups working on similar topics in LMICs, in addition to policymakers and authorities in these countries. CRD42023483847.

Comparative Performance Analysis of Selected Machine Learning Algorithms and the Stacking Ensemble Method for Prediction of the Type II Diabetes Disease

Diabetes is a prevalent non-communicable disease affecting many people globally. The common risk factors are obesity, age, lack of exercise, lifestyle, genetic factors, high blood pressure, and poor diet. Early identification of this condition can help prevent subsequent complications, including heart attacks, lower limb amputations, nerve damage, and blindness. Data mining and machine learning have become popular and successful methods of identifying numerous diseases, including Diabetes, using clinical data over the years. This study focuses on the principles and processes of Naïve Bayes, Support Vector Machines, Logistic Regression, Decision Tree, and Random Forest algorithms for diabetes prediction, using the Scikit-learn inbuilt libraries for the experiments. Furthermore, we ensemble all five machine learning models to produce a single stacked ensemble model. Data preprocessing techniques such as scaling, missing data removal, dimensionality reduction, and balancing of target class were performed on the Jos Urban Diabetes dataset used for this study. The comparison of the algorithms' performances across various evaluation metrics, demonstrates that the Support Vector Machines algorithm outperform all others in terms of Accuracy, Precision, Sensitivity, and Matthew’s Correlation Coefficient with scores of 96.11%, 91.61%, 85.67%, and 82.59% respectively with 10-fold cross-validation. Furthermore, the Stacked Ensemble Method model had the best Area Under the Receiver Operating Characteristic Curve scores of 98.47% with 10-fold cross-validation.

Relationship between assesment of physical activity with body mass index and maximum oxygen volume in adult men with overweight and obesity

Background. Non-communicable diseases (NCDs) are the leading cause of early adult mortality, often originating in adolescence. Obesity a prevalent NCD, commonly develops during youth and can measured by body mass index (BMI). Objectives. This study was to describe the relationships between physical activity, as defined by the International Physical Activity Questionnaire (IPAQ), BMI, and maximum oxygen consumption (VO2max) in adult men who are overweight or obese. Materials and methods. This descriptive study utilized the IPAQ-SF, BMI, and VO2max data from 22 medical records of adult men who were overweight or obese, selected using a purposive sampling approach. Outcomes. Physical activity and BMI are negatively correlated, with a p-value of 0.000 and a Pearson correlation coefficient of -0.989. Statistical significance is indicated by the p-value of 0.000, and the Pearson correlation coefficient of 0.884 shows a strong positive association between VO2max and physical activity. BMI and VO2max are negatively correlated, with a p-value of 0.000 and a Pearson correlation coefficient of -0.896. Conclusion. The study indicates a relationship between physical activity and BMI, as well as between physical activity and VO2max. Additionally, there is a relationship between BMI and VO2max. Overall, physical activity, BMI, and VO2max are interrelated in overweight or obese adult men.

An Overview of Apple Varieties and the Importance of Apple Consumption in the Prevention of Non-Communicable Diseases—A Narrative Review

Non-communicable diseases such as cardiovascular diseases, cancers, diabetes, and asthma are increasingly common due to factors like industrialization, urbanization, fast-paced life, stress, sedentary lifestyle, and unbalanced diet in the 21st century. These chronic conditions are a global epidemic, being among the top causes of death worldwide. Preventing these diseases through a nutritious diet is crucial, and scientific studies suggest that appropriate fruit intake, particularly apples, can lower the risk of various health issues. Apples, rich in bioactive compounds, vitamins, minerals, and dietary fiber, offer numerous health benefits. Regular consumption of apples helps reduce the risk of atherosclerosis, coronary artery disease, heart attacks, and diabetes, and also provides anti-asthmatic and anti-allergic effects. Apples aid in detoxification, improve digestion, enhance skin, hair, and nail health, and offer protection against cancers, Alzheimer’s, and Parkinson’s disease. Apples have been a dietary staple for centuries, consumed in various forms like juices, sauces, and ciders. The reviewed article emphasizes the health benefits of apples, highlighting their role in preventing civilization diseases. It also discusses the characteristics of common apple varieties and the impact of thermal processing on their nutritional content.