Associations between noncommunicable disease risk factors, race, education, and health insurance status among women of reproductive age in Brazil — 2011

Abstract

BackgroundNoncommunicable disease (NCD) risk factors increase the risk of adverse reproductive health outcomes and are becoming increasingly common in Brazil.MethodsWe analyzed VIGITEL 2011 telephone survey data for 13,745 Brazilian women aged 18–44 years in a probabilistic sample from 26 Brazilian state capitals and the Federal District. We examined associations between NCD risk factors (fruit and vegetable intake, leisure time physical activity, alcohol consumption, smoking status, BMI and hypertension status) and race, education, and insurance using chi-square tests and multivariable logistic regression models, estimating the average marginal effects to produce adjusted relative risk ratios (aRRs). Analyses were conducted using SAS 9.3 survey procedures and weighted to reflect population estimates.ResultsWomen with less than a college education were more likely to report physical inactivity (adjusted relative risk (aRR) and 95% confidence interval = 1.1 (1.1–1.2)), smoking (aRR = 1.7 (1.3–2.2)), and self-reported diagnoses of hypertension (aRR = 2.0 (1.6–2.5)) compared to women with a college education or greater. Similarly, women without health insurance were more likely to report physical inactivity (aRR = 1.1 (1.1–1.2)), smoking (aRR = 1.4 (1.1–1.8)), and self-reported diagnoses of hypertension aRR = 1.4 (1.1–1.7)) compared to women with health insurance. Less variation was found by race and NCD risk factors.ConclusionTargeted public health strategies and policies are needed to increase healthcare access and decrease educational and racial disparities in NCD risk factors among women of reproductive age in Brazil.

Burden of cumulative risk factors associated with non-communicable diseases among adults in Uganda: evidence from a national baseline survey

“…The effects of the risk factors derived from our model concur with predictors of the NCDs as noted in other studies [36–39]. For instance, there is a significant direct relationship between the number of NCD risk factors with body mass index, systolic blood pressure, but an inverse relationship with consumption of fruit and vegetables.…”

Indicadores de doenças crônicas não transmíssiveis em mulheres com idade reprodutiva, beneficiárias e não beneficiárias do Programa Bolsa Família

“…On the other hand, few studies address the magnitude of NCDs among women of reproductive age [9][10][11] , since the predominant approach to research on this specific group is related to reproductive issues such as family planning, prenatal care, prevention and screening for gynecological cancers. Research dealing with NCDs shows how much these diseases increasingly affect women [10][11][12] , even though they are young. Consequently, they also affect reproductive issues 13 .…”

“…whether women with unfavorable socioeconomic conditions are more susceptible to NCDs and their risk factors. A previous study with the Surveillance of Risk Factors and Protection for Chronic Diseases by Telephone Survey (Vigilância de Fatores de Risco e Proteção para Doenças Crônicas por Inquérito Telefônico -Vigitel) found that women of reproductive age with low levels of education were more inactive, and had higher levels of smoking and hypertension 11 . Cardiovascular diseases are also treated and prevented to a lesser extent among women, especially those who are in positions of social vulnerability 14 .…”

Pharmacy in Brazil: Progress and Challenges on the Road to Expanding Clinical Practice

“…As the epidemiological transition begins, noncommunicable diseases are starting to replace communicable diseases; however, infectious conditions continue to be highly prevalent in the country. 7,8 In Brazil and other countries, a high burden of noncommunicable diseases exists, accounting for 72% of all deaths. 9 The major causes of death include cardiovascular disease (30.7%), cancer (16.9%), external causes (13.4%), and respiratory disease (11.6%).…”