BACKGROUND: Pakistan lacks data on the prevalence of risk factors for common noncommunicable diseases (NCDs). OBJECTIVES: This study aimed to determine the prevalence of risk factors for NCDs among a population-based sample in Punjab and Sindh provinces, Pakistan. METHODS: This study was conducted in 2013-2014. The NCD risk factors examined were: current daily smoking, eating fewer than 5 servings of fruits/vegetable a day, low physical activity, overweight and obesity. A total of 7 710 households were selected and 1 adult was enrolled from each household. Data were collected using the WHO STEPS instrument (Step 1 and 2), and analysed according to the STEPS statistical plan. RESULTS: The prevalence of tobacco use was 19.7%. The majority of the respondents (96.5%) consumed fewer than 5 servings of fruits/vegetables a day, 41.5% had a low level of physical activity, 26.3% were overweight and 14.9% were obese. The prevalence of stage I and stage II hypertension, including those on medication, was 37% and 15.9% respectively. The prevalence of NCD risk factors differed significantly by sex and occupation (P = 0.0001) but not by age group (P = 0.118), level of education (P = 0.668) and province (P = 0.056). Only 0.6% of the sample had none of the 5 NCD risk factors while 40% had 3-5. CONCLUSION: The high prevalence of NCD risk factors in Punjab and Sindh provinces is of concern. Urgent public health interventions are needed to reduce them, especially in youth and young adults.
BACKGROUND: Pakistan lacks data on the prevalence of risk factors for common noncommunicable diseases (NCDs). OBJECTIVES: This study aimed to determine the prevalence of risk factors for NCDs among a population-based sample in Punjab and Sindh provinces, Pakistan. METHODS: This study was conducted in 2013-2014. The NCD risk factors examined were: current daily smoking, eating fewer than 5 servings of fruits/vegetable a day, low physical activity, overweight and obesity. A total of 7 710 households were selected and 1 adult was enrolled from each household. Data were collected using the WHO STEPS instrument (Step 1 and 2), and analysed according to the STEPS statistical plan. RESULTS: The prevalence of tobacco use was 19.7%. The majority of the respondents (96.5%) consumed fewer than 5 servings of fruits/vegetables a day, 41.5% had a low level of physical activity, 26.3% were overweight and 14.9% were obese. The prevalence of stage I and stage II hypertension, including those on medication, was 37% and 15.9% respectively. The prevalence of NCD risk factors differed significantly by sex and occupation (P = 0.0001) but not by age group (P = 0.118), level of education (P = 0.668) and province (P = 0.056). Only 0.6% of the sample had none of the 5 NCD risk factors while 40% had 3-5. CONCLUSION: The high prevalence of NCD risk factors in Punjab and Sindh provinces is of concern. Urgent public health interventions are needed to reduce them, especially in youth and young adults.
Authors: Feroz S Memon; Wei Wang; Thomas Beaney; Kavita Bai; Neil R Poulter; Muhammad Ishaq Journal: Eur Heart J Suppl Date: 2022-10-07 Impact factor: 1.624
Authors: Tayyaba Kiyani; Sumaira Kayani; Saima Kayani; Iffat Batool; Si Qi; Michele Biasutti Journal: Int J Environ Res Public Health Date: 2021-06-30 Impact factor: 3.390
Authors: Paul A Camacho; Diego Gomez-Arbelaez; Johanna Otero; Silvia González-Gómez; Dora I Molina; Gregorio Sanchez; Edgar Arcos; Claudia Narvaez; Henry García; Maritza Pérez; Eric Hernandez-Triana; Myriam Duran; Carlos Cure; Aristides Sotomayor; Alvaro Rico; Fresia Cotes; Sumathy Rangarajan; Salim Yusuf; Patricio López-Jaramillo Journal: Glob Heart Date: 2020-04-21