Prevalence of Non-Communicable Disease Risk Factors among GeriatricPopulation of Hoskote: A Cross Sectional Study

Introduction

Non-communicable diseases (NCDs) encompass a vast group of diseases such as cardiovascular diseases, cancer, diabetes, hypertension and chronic respiratory diseases. The emerging pandemic of non-communicable diseases (NCDs) is creating major health challenges worldwide.¹ Non-communicable diseases cause 71% of all the deaths globally^1,2 and kills 4.1 crore people every year (WHO 2021). Each year 1.5 crores of people from thirty years of age till sixty-nine years are killed from non- communicable diseases; most of these premature deaths occur in the middle and low income countries. Low and middle income countries constitute approximately seventy-seven percentage of all noncommunicable deaths around the world. One of the most important cause for NCD deaths include cardiovascular diseases followed by cancer, respiratory diseases and diabetes and these group of diseases constitute around 80% of all premature NCD deaths. Inadequate exercise, use of alcohol and tobacco, unhealthy lifestyles and diet increases the mortality rate from NCDs.³ Detection and screening of non-communicable diseases, proper treatment and palliative treatment constitute the key response components for non-communicable diseases. Non communicable diseases are one of the major leading causes of diseases worldwide.⁴ In addition to the other factors, the danger of evolution of NCDs is stated to increase with the co-existence of multiple risk factors within the same individual, which is referred to as clustering.^5,6,7 Now it is crucial to pay close attention to NCDs among the working population, because these health challenges can perhaps lead to economic losses, household poverty and reduction in productivity.⁸ As the world faces unprecedented number of older adults and levels of non-communicable disease (NCD), there has been an increased orientation towards strategies for risk reduction, NCD prevention and effective ways to support healthy ageing.⁹ World Health Organization in its Assembly conducted in 2008 had suggested an action plan as part of global strategy for the prevention and control of non-communicable diseases. As a member state of World Health Organization, India too is required to implement the same, captivating the essential steps and inventiveness to meet the objectives.^10,11 As part of this plan, India has been developing and has gradually developed a large number of public health programs at the national level.^12,13,14

Materials and Methods

A cross-sectional study was conducted among the geriatric population of Hoskote. The study participants were asked to report whether they had any one of the three NCDs: hypertension, diabetes, or heart disease. Several demographic, socio economic and health variables were covered initially.

There were multiple responses to these three health conditions. Zero score was given for those people who did not have any comorbidity, score 1 for those people with one comorbidity out of the total NCDs present (diabetes, heart disease, hypertension), score 2 was given for people who were having more than one comorbidity. Screening of NCDs was done based on the RBS (Random blood sugar) check-up and blood pressure monitoring done using sphygmomanometer. Gender, age group, place of residence (urban and rural), living arrangements, relationship to the house head and marital status were also considered. Outcome variable was selfreported prevalence of NCDs among older people.

Age, place of residence (rural or urban), living arrangement, relationship to household head, marital status (married, unmarried, separated, divorced, newly married), education status were considered. Living arrangements were categorized into two - living alone or living with others. Items included in socio economic status were occupation of the head of the family, income of head of the family and educational status of the head of the family. Self-reported questionnaire regarding the risk factors for NCDs were distributed to all the participants attending geriatric camp. Data was collected through personal interview method. Presence of various risk factors such as alcohol, tobacco use, obesity, lack of regular physical exercise was considered. Use of tobacco was defined as the present use of any products of tobacco within 30 days prior to the study in either smokeless or smoked form. Alcohol use was defined as the consumption of four drinks in case of males and five drinks in case of females within 30 days prior to the study. A shot of any of the spirit or a glass of wine was considered as a drink. Regular intake of at least five servings of vegetables per week was considered healthy.^15,16 Data was entered in MS Excel and analyzed using SPSS software ver20.0.

Results

A total of 118 geriatric subjects participated in the study which included 46 (38.93%) males, 72 (61.07%) females and most of the participants were in the age group of 65- 70 years. 110 (93.22%) of the study participants were married and 08 (06.78%) were unmarried. Most of the study participants belonged to lower and upper lower socio-economic status. Most of the study participants 100 (84.95%) were living with their family or relatives.

Regular physical exercise for 30 minutes per day for at least five days a week was done by 43 (36.44) participants.^15,16 Tobacco smoking/ chewing was observed among 35.59% of the individuals. Alcohol intake was reported by 29.66% of the study participants. BMI greater than 24.9 Kg/m² was observed among 46.61% of the participants. A statistically significant association between the presence of non-communicable diseases and gender, tobacco smoking/chewing, alcohol intake, lack of regular intake of vegetables, lack of regular physical exercise and obesity was found.

Discussion

In the present study, we have seen that there is a statistically significant association between the risk factors and the development of non-comorbidities. Therefore, it is important that proper health education and health care be given to the geriatric population as one of the major causes of mortality and morbidity. There is an emergency need to train the health care providers to take care of the common healthcare needs of the geriatric population. More of regular physical exercise and regular intake of vegetables has to be advocated.

Conclusion

In the current study, we observed a statistically significant association between presence of comorbidities and tobacco smoking/ alcohol usage. People who exercise regularly have less risk of getting non-communicable diseases like diabetes, hypertension and other NCDs. Proper evaluation and follow up is required to control the morbidity and mortality rates associated with noncommunicable diseases. Geriatric health care services have to be provided regularly to the geriatric community. Special training should be given to the health care providers so that the existing health problems among the elderly can be addressed. 

Conflicts of Interest

Nil