Prevalence of risk factors for non-communicable diseases in the Mekong Delta, Vietnam: results from a STEPS survey

Abstract

BackgroundDespite the increasing burden of non-communicable diseases (NCD) in Vietnam, information on the prevalence of preventable risk factors for NCD is restricted to the main urban centres of Ha Noi, and Ho Chi Minh City (HCMC). This population-based survey aimed to describe the prevalence of risk factors for NCD in a rural Vietnamese sample.MethodsThis survey was conducted using the WHO "STEPwise approach to surveillance of non-communicable diseases" (STEPS) methodology. Participants (n = 1978) were residents of the Mekong Delta region selected by multi-stage sampling. Standardised international protocols were used to measure behavioural risk factors (smoking, alcohol consumption, fruit and vegetable consumption, physical activity), physical characteristics (weight, height, waist and hip circumferences, blood pressure – BP), fasting blood glucose (BG) and total cholesterol (TC). Data were analysed using complex survey analysis methods.ResultsIn this sample, 8.8% of men and 12.6% of women were overweight (body mass index (BMI) ≥ 25 kg/m2) and 2.3% of men and 1.5% of women were obese (BMI ≥ 30 kg/m2). The prevalence of hypertension (systolic BP ≥ 140 mmHg and/or diastolic BP ≥ 90 mmHg, or taking medication for hypertension) was 27.3% for men and 16.2% for women. There were 1.0% of men and 1.1% of women with raised BG (defined as capillary whole BG of at least 6.1 mmol/L).ConclusionWe provide the first NCD risk factor profile of people living in the Mekong Delta of Vietnam using standardised methodology. Our findings for this predominantly rural sample differ from previous studies conducted in Ha Noi and HCMC, and suggest that it is inappropriate to generalise findings from the big-city surveys to the other 80% of the population.

Prevalence of Risk Factors for Non-Communicable Diseases for New Patients Reporting to Korle-Bu Teaching Hospital

“…Of those with hypertension, only 32.3% had prior knowledge of their condition, and less than half of these were on treatment. 7 Prevalence of physical inactivity among the respondents in this study was 54.30% which was lower than that of the Ghana STEPS Survey (76.7%) and higher than similar study conducted in Vietnam with 34.71% 11 and rural area of Kerala, India with 9.5%. 10 The prevalence of obesity, which is a potentially modifiable risk factor for non-communicable diseases 15 in the study was 40.4%, which was greater than 14.1% in a study in rural and urban Accra 4 and 5.5% among Ghanaians 16 as well as 9% in the GDHS.…”

The association between smoking and hypertension in a population-based sample of Vietnamese men

“…The prevalence of smoking in this sample has been presented elsewhere [22]. The proportions of current smokers, ex-smokers, and never-smokers were 67.8 (631/910), 13.0 (130/910), and 19.2% (149/910), respectively.…”

“…Eligible participants for this survey were selected by multistage sampling with age, sex, and urban/rural stratification. Details about the survey have been published elsewhere [22]. Informed consent was obtained from participants.…”

Blood pressure and body mass index: a comparison of the associations in the Caucasian and Asian populations

“…In Vietnam, these issues have been investigated in a few published studies. [3][4][5][6] Mirroring reasonably well the results of studies in Western countries, predictors of elevated BP identified in these studies include increasing age, male sex, tobacco smoking and alcohol consumption, indicators of overweight or body fatness, markers of low socioeconomic status including education and occupation, and marital status.…”

“…6,13 Both surveys had approximately equal numbers of participants within four age categories (25-34, 35-44, 45-54 and 55-64 years). In BTH, participants were selected by age-and sex-stratified random sampling from among those on the Electoral Roll of registered voters in Tasmania who had an address within the Burnie municipalities.…”