Bahman Cheraghian1, Maryam Sharafkhah2,3, Zahra Mohammadi2, Sanam Hariri2, Zahra Rahimi4, Leila Danehchin5, Yousef Paridar6, Farhad Abolnejadian7,8, Mohammad Noori9, Seyed Ali Mard10, Sareh Eghtesad2, Amaneh Shayanrad2, Arash Etemadi11, Reza Ghanbari2, Farnaz Hashemi2, Sahar Masoudi2, Ali Akbar Shayesteh12, Hossein Poustchi2. 1. Alimentary Tract Research Center, Ahvaz Jundishapur University of Medical Sciences, Ahvaz, Iran. 2. Liver and Pancreatobiliary Diseases Research Center, Digestive Diseases Research Institute, Tehran University of Medical Sciences, Tehran, Iran. 3. Department of Bio-statistics and Epidemiology, Faculty of Public Health, Tehran University of Medical Sciences, Tehran, Iran. 4. Department of Biostatistics and Epidemiology, School of Public Health, Ahvaz Jundishapur University of Medical Sciences, Ahvaz, Iran. 5. Faculty of Medicine, Behbahan University of Medical Sciences, Behbahan, Iran. 6. Faculty of Medicine, Dezful University of Medical Sciences, Dezful, Iran. 7. Department of Clinical Immunology and Allergy, Ahvaz Jundishapur University of Medical Sciences, Ahvaz, Iran. 8. Shoushtar School of Medical Sciences and Health Services, Shoushtar, Iran. 9. Abadan Faculty of Medical Sciences, Abadan, Iran. 10. Physiology Research Center, School of Public Health, Ahvaz Jundishapur University of Medical Sciences, Ahvaz, Iran. 11. Division of Cancer Epidemiology and Genetics, National Cancer Institute, Bethesda, Maryland, United States. 12. Alimentary Tract Research Center, School of Medicine, Ahvaz Jundishapur University of Medical Sciences, Ahvaz, Iran.
Abstract
BACKGROUND: Non-communicable diseases (NCDs) are the leading cause of death worldwide, with a disproportionally rising burden among low- and middle-income populations. While preventable risk factors highly contribute to this burden, population-based studies assessing these factors and the health status of these populations, are scarce. METHODS: The Khuzestan Comprehensive Health Study (KCHS)-a cross sectional study-was conducted between 2016-2019, including 30,506 Iranians aged 20 to 65 years, from 27 counties of Khuzestan province, southwest of Iran. KCHS aimed to provide a comprehensive health overview by investigating the prevalence and risk factors of NCDs and psychological disorders, along with viral hepatitis as a common communicable disease. Upon registration, 15 mL of blood and anthropometric measurements were obtained from participants. Afterwards, several interviewer-administered questionnaires were completed to gather data on demographics, socioeconomic status, sleep quality, physical activity, lifestyle habits, nutrition, and medical history. RESULTS: The mean ± SD age of participants was 41.7 ± 11.9 years. The majority were female (64.3%), of the Arab ethnicity (49%), married (83%), and urban residents (73.1%). About 70% had an educational level below high school diploma. Overall, 10.8%, 5.2%, and 2.8% of participants had used cigarettes, hookah, and drugs at least once in their lifetime, respectively. While body mass index and serum cholesterol levels were higher in females, blood pressure was higher in males (P<0.001). CONCLUSION: KCHS assessed many aspects of health in the Khuzestan province. In addition to develop a biobank along with a comprehensive dataset, KCHS will serve as a valuable infrastructure for future research.
BACKGROUND: Non-communicable diseases (NCDs) are the leading cause of death worldwide, with a disproportionally rising burden among low- and middle-income populations. While preventable risk factors highly contribute to this burden, population-based studies assessing these factors and the health status of these populations, are scarce. METHODS: The Khuzestan Comprehensive Health Study (KCHS)-a cross sectional study-was conducted between 2016-2019, including 30,506 Iranians aged 20 to 65 years, from 27 counties of Khuzestan province, southwest of Iran. KCHS aimed to provide a comprehensive health overview by investigating the prevalence and risk factors of NCDs and psychological disorders, along with viral hepatitis as a common communicable disease. Upon registration, 15 mL of blood and anthropometric measurements were obtained from participants. Afterwards, several interviewer-administered questionnaires were completed to gather data on demographics, socioeconomic status, sleep quality, physical activity, lifestyle habits, nutrition, and medical history. RESULTS: The mean ± SD age of participants was 41.7 ± 11.9 years. The majority were female (64.3%), of the Arab ethnicity (49%), married (83%), and urban residents (73.1%). About 70% had an educational level below high school diploma. Overall, 10.8%, 5.2%, and 2.8% of participants had used cigarettes, hookah, and drugs at least once in their lifetime, respectively. While body mass index and serum cholesterol levels were higher in females, blood pressure was higher in males (P<0.001). CONCLUSION: KCHS assessed many aspects of health in the Khuzestan province. In addition to develop a biobank along with a comprehensive dataset, KCHS will serve as a valuable infrastructure for future research.