Prevalence of Risk Factors of Non-communicable Diseases in a District of Gujarat, India.
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Date
2013-03
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Abstract
The study attempted to identify the prevalence and distribution of risk factors of non-communicable diseases
among urban and rural population in Gujarat, India. Using the WHO stepwise approach, a crosssectional
study was carried out among 1,805 urban and 1,684 rural people of 15-64 years age-group.
Information on behavioural and physiological risk factors of non-communicable diseases was obtained
through standardized protocol. High prevalence of smoking (22.8%) and the use of smokeless tobacco
(43.4%) were observed among rural men compared to urban men (smoking-12.8% and smokeless tobacco
consumption-23.1%). There was a significant difference in the average consumption of fruits and vegetables
between urban (2.18±1.59 servings) and rural (1.78±1.48 servings) area. Prevalence of overweight and
obesity was observed to be high among urban men and women in all age-groups compared to rural men
and women. Prevalence of behavioural risk factors, overweight, and obesity increased with age in both
the areas. Twenty-nine percent of the urban residents and 15.4% of the rural residents were found to have
raised blood pressure, and the difference was found to be statistically significant (p<0.01). For both men
and women, the prevalence of overweight and obesity, hypertension, and lack of physical activities were
significantly higher in the urban population while smoking, smokeless tobacco consumption, poor consumption
of fruits and vegetables were more prevalent in the rural population. The results highlight the
need for interventions and approaches for the prevention of risk factors of non-communicable diseases in
rural and urban areas.
Description
Keywords
Cross-sectional study, Non-communicable diseases, Risk factors, WHO STEPS
Citation
Bhagyalaxmi Aroor, Atul Trivedi, Shikha Jain. Prevalence of Risk Factors of Non-communicable Diseases in a District of Gujarat, India. Journal of Health, Population and Nutrition. 2013 Mar; 31(1): 78-85.