Risk factor profile for chronic non-communicable diseases: Results of a community-based study in Kerala, India.
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Date
2010-01
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Abstract
Background & objectives: Kerala State is a harbinger of what will happen in future to the rest of India in
chronic non-communicable diseases (NCD). We assessed: (i) the burden of NCD risk factors; (ii) estimated
the relations of behavioural risk factors to socio-demographic correlates, anthropometric risk factors
with behavioural risk factors; (iii) evaluated if socio-demographic, behavioural and anthropometric risk
factors predicted biochemical risk factors; and (iv) estimated awareness, treatment and adequacy of
control of hypertension and diabetes, in Kerala state.
Methods: A total of 7449 individuals (51% women) stratified by age group, sex and place of residence
were selected and information on behavioural risk factors; tobacco use, diet, physical activity, alcohol use,
measured anthropometry, blood pressure was collected. Fasting blood samples were analysed for blood
glucose, total cholesterol, high density lipoprotein cholesterol and triglycerides in a sample subset. Using
multiple logistic regression models the associations between socio-demographic and anthropometric
variables with biochemical risk factors were estimated.
Results: The burden of NCD risk factors was high in our sample. Prevalence of behavioural and each of
the biochemical risk factors increased with age, adjusting for other factors including sex and the place
of residence. The odds ratios relating anthropometric variables to biochemical variables were modest,
suggesting that anthropometric variables may not be useful surrogates for biochemical risk factors for
population screening purposes.
Interpretation & conclusions: In this large study of community-based sample in Kerala, high burden of
NCD risk factors was observed, comparable to that in the United States. These data may serve to propel
multisectoral efforts to lower the community burden of NCD risk factors in India in general, and in
Kerala, in particular.
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Keywords
Anthropometry, biochemical risk factors, Kerala, non-communicable diseases, WHO STEPs
Citation
Thankappan K R, Shah Bela, Mathur Prashant, Sarma P S, Srinivas G, Mini G K, Daivadanam Meena, Soman Biju, Vasan Ramachandran S. a community-based study in Kerala, India. Indian Journal of Medical Research. 2010 Jan; 131(1): 53-63.