Prevalence of non-communicable diseases risk factors among first year medical college students at King Saud Bin Abdulaziz University for health sciences, Jeddah

Abstract

Objective: To determine the prevalence of NCD risk factors among first-year medical college students at Jeddah's King Saud Bin Abdulaziz University for Health Sciences (KSAU-HS). Duration of the study: The study was completed in 8 months in 2021 (started from submitting the proposal in January, 2021). Methods: WHO STEP-wise approach to Surveillance (STEPS) of NCD risk factors was used, which includes three steps for assessing the risk factors: 1) Questionnaire 2) objective physical measurements 3) biochemical measurements. The estimated minimum sample size was calculated using the software Raosoft website, which were 227. To analyze the data, SPSS version 27.0 was used. Results: A total of (232) first-year medical students took part in the study. Data on sociodemographic factors, diet, salt intake, smoking, physical activity, and illness conditions were collected using a structured questionnaire. Conclusion: Results of the present study showed a high prevalence of NCDs risk factors among the participants. The study shows the importance to bring change in medical students' lifestyles to avoid the onset of NCDs later in life. Colleges need to assist students and intervene to lower these risk factors. Programs that promote healthy lifestyle and awareness are particularly essential for high school and college students. In all of schools and colleges in KSA, students should have access to sports and fitness facilities along with appropriate counseling and periodic screenings of students.