Prevalence of NCDs among Rural Households of Dhamrai Upazila, Dhaka

Abstract

Background: The emerging pandemic of Non-Communicable Diseases (NCDs) creates a new frontier for health professionals globally. Bangladesh has been facing a dual burden of existing communicable and nocommunicable diseases. The aim of this study was to find out the proportion of NCDs among the rural households.

Material and Methods: This descriptive cross sectional study was carried out among 552 respondents and 651 family members suffering from NCDs as respondents by purposive sampling technique from 13^th to 15^th December, 2015 in different villages of Dhamrai Upazila,Dhaka. Data were collected on a pretested questionnaire by face to face interview. Data were analyzed manually and by using computer.

Results: The study revealed that majority of the respondents 77% were Muslims by religion and 52% male, 48% female by sex. About 87% respondents were found within the age 15-55 years and mean age was 38.71±1.73 years. Most of them 73% were literate and only 27% were found illiterate. About 60% were involved in Business, service and 16%, 10%, 9% and 5% were Day Labourer, Garments workers, Farmers and Driver respectively. About 59% respondents monthly income were more than TK 9000. About 46% & 33% respondents found to have 3 & 4 number of family members respectively. The proportion of family members of the respondents suffering from NCDs was estimated to 31%. Among the sufferer 48.7% were male and 51.3% were female. About 71% were found within 21-60 years age group. Diabetes, Hypertension, COPD and CHD were found mostly among 33%, 54%, 26% & 11% of the respondents respectively. Regarding duration of suffering from NCDs 18%, 29%, 31% & 24% were suffering for 3-4 years from diabetes, Hypertension, COPD & CHD respectively. Moreover, 21% had other co-morbidities along with NCDs. Peptic Ulcer Disease, pain, Arthritis, Allergy, Ear infections & Disability were found as common co-morbidities among 49%, 47%, 19%, 12%, 11% & 9% of the respondents respectively.

Conclusion: Proportion of NCDs among the rural households are alarming and people are also suffering from various co-morbidities along with NCDs. The study findings demand the strategic plan for surveillance and prevention of NCDs in Bangladesh.

Anwer Khan Modern Medical College Journal Vol. 8, No. 1: Jan 2017, P 55-59