Prevalence of non-communicable disease risk factors among poor shantytown residents in Dhaka, Bangladesh: a community-based cross-sectional survey

Abstract

ObjectivesThis study aims to describe the prevalence of non-communicable disease (NCD) risk factors among the urban poor in Bangladesh.DesignWe conducted a community-based cross-sectional epidemiological study.SettingThe study was conducted in a shantytown in the city of Dhaka. There were 8604 households with 34 170 residents in the community. Those households were categorised into two wealth strata based on the housing structure.ParticipantsThe study targeted residents aged 18–64 years. A total of 2986 eligible households with one eligible individual were selected by simple random sampling stratified by household wealth status. A total of 2551 residents completed the questionnaire survey, and 2009 participated in the subsequent physical and biochemical measurements.Outcome measuresA modified WHO survey instrument was used for assessing behavioural risk factors and physical and biochemical measurements, including glycated haemoglobin (HbA1c). The prevalence of NCD risk factors, such as tobacco use, fruit and vegetable intake, overweight/obesity, hypertension, diabetes (HbA1c ≥6.5%) and dyslipidaemia, was described according to household wealth status and gender differences.ResultsThe prevalence of current tobacco use was 60.4% in men and 23.5% in women. Most of them (90.8%) consumed more than 1 serving of fruits and vegetables per day; however, only 2.1% consumed more than 5 servings. Overweight/obesity was more common in women (39.2%) than in men (18.9%), while underweight was more common in men (21.0%) than in women (7.1%). The prevalence of hypertension was 18.6% in men and 20.7% in women. The prevalence of diabetes was 15.6% in men and 22.5% in women, which was much higher than the estimated national prevalence (7%). The prevalence of raised total cholesterol (≥190 mg/dL) was 25.7% in men and 34.0% in women.ConclusionThe study identified that tobacco use, both overweight and underweight, diabetes, hypertension and dyslipidaemia were prevalent among the urban poor in Bangladesh.

Association between behavioural, metabolic risk factors of non-communicable diseases and socio-demographic factors among Bihari population in Bangladesh

“…11 The recent Global Adult Tobacco Survey reported almost constant finding for tobacco use with our study whereas data from WHO STEPS Survey and another study conducted to identify NCD risk factors among an underprivileged population in Dhaka reported noticeably higher prevalence of tobacco users. [14][15][16] Moreover, another relevant study conducted among rural population of Bihar state of India using similar WHO Step wise approach reported higher prevalence of tobacco use than the current study. 17 The possible reason of less prevalence of tobacco use in this study could be due to the under reporting about tobacco uses by the respondents.…”

“…Although insufficient fruit and vegetables intake behaviour is remarkably higher in previous studies in Bangladesh, however, it was found extremely higher in our study even compared to Indian Bihari population also. [15][16][17] Added salt intake behaviour in meal among the current study population wasn't noticeably varied than the Bangladeshi general population as well as the underprivileged population. 16,[18][19][20] Inadequate level of PA was noticeably higher among the selected population in contrast to the general population of this country reported in national survey report and underprivileged population of Bangladesh, and also the Indian Bihari population.…”

“…[15][16][17] Added salt intake behaviour in meal among the current study population wasn't noticeably varied than the Bangladeshi general population as well as the underprivileged population. 16,[18][19][20] Inadequate level of PA was noticeably higher among the selected population in contrast to the general population of this country reported in national survey report and underprivileged population of Bangladesh, and also the Indian Bihari population. [15][16][17] The residents of the selected community lack adequate open space and also playground for physical exerting recreational activities.…”

“…16,[18][19][20] Inadequate level of PA was noticeably higher among the selected population in contrast to the general population of this country reported in national survey report and underprivileged population of Bangladesh, and also the Indian Bihari population. [15][16][17] The residents of the selected community lack adequate open space and also playground for physical exerting recreational activities. Along with the behavioural risk factors, all of the metabolic risk factors have also been found a bit higher among the Bihari's in Bangladesh.…”

Community Health Workers for Non-Communicable Diseases Prevention and Control in Bangladesh: A Qualitative Study

“…The impact of NCDs on the national economy, communities, families and individuals is unbearable [10,16,17], and this is likely to be more serious in coming years [18][19][20]. Recent studies have shown that NCD risk factors such as overweight, underweight, hypertension, dyslipidemia, physical inactivity, tobacco smoking and low consumption of vegetables were common among adults living in urban [21][22][23] as well as rural areas [22,24] including adults of all economic quintiles [10].…”