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SOCIOECONOMIC STATUS AND PREVALENCE OF MODIFIABLE RISK FACTORS OF NON-COMMUNICABLE DISEASES AMONG YOUNG ADULTS (AGE 25-40 YEARS) OF BHAWALPUR CITY.

Hafiz Muhammad Kashif, Muhammad Nouman Akbar, Muhammad Muzamil

Introduction: Non-Communicable Diseases are the leading cause of deaths at global, regional and national levels. The changing lifestyles in the country have resulted in a transition in the health profile of the population. During the last decade, there has been a gradual shift from communicable to non-communicable diseases (NCDs) such as Cardiovascular Diseases (including stroke and heart disease), Cancer, Diabetes and Chronic Airway Diseases. Approximately 50% of the population in Pakistan suffers from one or more of these chronic conditions.' Deaths due to NCDs now far outnumber the deaths due to communicable diseases. Objective of Study: The objective of the study was to: Evaluate the "Socioeconomic Status and Prevalence of Modifiable Risk Factors of Non-Communicable Diseases among Young Adults (Age 25-40 years) of Bahawalpur City." Study Design: It was a Descriptive Cross-Sectional Epidemiological study. Setting: The study was conducted in four areas of Bahawalpur City: 1. Model Town A, B 2. Medical Colony 3. Hansra Basti 4. Tibba Badar Study Population: The study was conducted on Young Adults of Bahawalpur City, ages between 25-40 years. Sampling Technique: It is a Non-Probability Convenience Sampling. Sample Size: According to the available time and resources, it was decided to take a sample of 240 young adults, both male and female (ages between 25-40 years). Data Collection Protocol: The data was collected through a pre-formed questionnaire, which consisted of two parts; section one included the socio-demographic profile of the respondents and section two comprised of questions regarding the well-established modifiable risk factors for NCDs. Data Analysis: Data was coded and entered into SPSS version 21. Interpretation has been presented in form of tables and figures. Results: The overall prevalence of all the risk factors was found highest in the respondents belonging to the middle socioeconomic class. The prevalence of tobacco smoking turned out to be (23.3%) of the entire study sample. Nearly (37.1%) of all respondents were exposed to the risk of second hand or passive smoking. Prevalence of risk factors of low dietary intake of fruits and vegetables in all the respondents was (60%) and (24.2%) respectively. About (25.8%) of the respondents were reported to possess inadequate physical activity. Regarding BMI, (5.8%) of respondents were underweight, (29.6%) pre-obese and (9.6%) crossed the borderline for obesity. Conclusion: A high burden of risk factors of NCDs was observed in the study sample, with almost all of them being most prevalent in the middle socioeconomic class and the youngest age group under study i.e. 25-28 years of age. Variations in the distribution of risk factors based on gender and socioeconomic status argues particular focus on and over individual behaviour, personal choices and personal responsibilities to be highlighted in order to assist in targeting improvement actions. Intentional designing of environments to promote healthy behaviours holds promise to reverse the increase of lifestyle diseases. Keywords: Cardiovascular Diseases, Cancer, Diabetes, Chronic Airway Diseases.

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