Awareness of Non-Communicable Diseases & their Risk Factors among Young Adult Women in Delhi

Abstract

Background
In India, rapid urbanization, easy lifestyle, and improvement in healthcare facilities have led to a shift in the disease spectrum from communicable to noncommunicable diseases (NCDs). Awareness about NCDs and their risk factors has an important role in the prevention and management strategies of these diseases. Adult female mortality and morbidity affect the family healthdrastically;therefore, women’s health is critically important to the health of future generations.

Materials and Methods
The present study is a community-based cross-sectional study conducted in Palam Village of New Delhi.A total of 585 study subjects were interviewed using a self-designed, semi-structured, pre-designed questionnaire regarding awareness of risk factors as well as common non-communicable diseases. Adequate knowledge means knowledge about major behavioral risk factors(tobacco consumption, sedentary lifestyle, unhealthy diet, alcohol consumption) and familial predisposition. Qualitative data was expressed in proportions and a chi-square test was applied. Mean and standard deviation were used for quantitative data.

Results
More than half of the study subjects (54.8%) had inadequate knowledge of the risk factors of common NCDs. As the education level decreases the proportion of study subjects having adequate knowledge about risk factors of common NCDs also decreases and this association was found to be statistically significant (p value<0.05).

Conclusion
In the present study, all of the research participants heard about diabetes, cardiovascular diseases, and hypertension. Although awareness regarding risk factors of NCDs was optimal still prevalence of risk factors was still higher in participants of our study, which shows a gap in knowledge and practice.

Source of Support: None DeclaredConflict of Interest: None Declared

Conflict of Interest: None Declared