Publication:

A cross sectional study, for risk assessment of non-communicable disease in urban slum of South India

Background Non communicable diseases (NCDs) contribute to around 5.87 million deaths that account for 60% of all deaths in India. India shares more than two-third of the total deaths due to NCDs in the south-east Asia region (SEAR) of WHO. Objective was to monitor the trends and determinants of non-communicable diseases (NCDs) in the study population in slum of Telangana.

Methods The cross-sectional community-based study, was conducted in the urban field practice area of Apollo Institute of Medical Sciences and Research, Hyderabad. Sample size was estimated, data was collected in WHO STEPS questionnaire (STEP 1 and STEP 2) after obtaining informed consent from the participants. The performa included anthropometric measurements, blood pressure and questions related to tobacco use, alcohol consumption, dietary pattern, physical exercise. Microsoft Excel 2007 was used for data entry, SPSS version 24 for data analysis.

Results Tobacco smoking use in any form was seen in 22.1% males of the study population and 1.8% of females. The means waist hip ratio amongst male is 0.92 cm. The mean waist hip ratio amongst 113 voluntary participants was 0.89.

Conclusions NCDs in the urban slum that requires appropriate early actions to prevent risk factors, reducing the disease burden. Health education among households through behaviour change, formulation and implementation of health policy for urban slums will go a long way in lessening the burden.