RESUMEN
BACKGROUND: The demographic particulars of Gujar-Bakarwals are mostly dominant on mountainous regions of Kashmir Valley. Their housing, sanitation, health care facilities are very low sub-standard than other sections of population. Behavioral risk factors including tobacco use and skipping meals are prevalent. OBJECTIVE: The present study focuses on the socio-economic and demographic profile among the tribal population of Kashmir; their major risk factors of some non-communicable diseases. METHODS: The study is community based cross sectional survey undertaken in selected districts of Jammu and Kashmir. RESULTS: Around 94.3% of the tribal population fell under low income groups with an annual income of Rs. <25000 per year. Only 37.1% subjects were educated. 61.0% of tribal subjects lack access to pure drinking water and proper sanitation. Interestingly, 63-66% of the population was younger with a high prevalence of smoking among both males and females (33.3% males and 7.3%, respectively). Among non-communicable diseases, diabetes was less prevalent whereas a comparatively higher prevalence of hypertension, dyslipidemia, thyroid dysfunction, and vitamin D deficiency was present with significant associations with the risk factors. CONCLUSIONS: There is widespread poverty, illiteracy, and lack of basic amenities among the tribal people which makes it imperative to address these concerns to improve the socioeconomic disparities and health indices of the marginalized population. Smoking and inadequate consumption of meals was prevalent. There is an urgent need to address behavioral risk factors such as smoking and skipping meals through primary prevention.
RESUMEN
BACKGROUND: The burden of noncommunicable diseases (NCDs) in the Arab world has reached an alarming level. Behavioral risk factors including consumption of fast food, inadequate sleep, and skipping meals are pervasive. This study aims at establishing the association between NCDs and modernized behavioral risk factors among populations. METHODS: A cross-sectional study was carried out with 1070 respondents who were 18 years old. The data were collected using a structured questionnaire with the help of the WHO STEPS approach with some modifications regarding NCD risk factors. RESULTS: 30% of respondents had cardiovascular diseases (CVD) followed by respiratory diseases (23%) and diabetes (3%) while the habit of smoking was found among 52% of respondents followed by physical inactivity (49%), skipping meals (24%), and inadequate sleep (30%). Consumption of fast food was found to be a significant risk factor for obesity (odds ratio (OR) = 2.72, 95% confidence interval (CI) [1.50, 4.92]), CVD (OR = 1.52, 95% CI [1.20, 1.94]), and respiratory disease (OR = 2.13, 95% CI [1.58, 2.86]). Significant linkages were found between CVD and smoking (OR = 0.69, 95% CI [0.54, 0.88]), diet pattern (OR = 1.86, 95% CI [1.44, 2.39]), fast food (OR = 1.52, 95% CI [1.20, 1.94]), and sleep hours (OR = 0.57, 95% CI [0.42, 0.79]). CONCLUSIONS: Undesirable behavioral risk factors pose a considerable threat to public health with a high prevalence rate of NCDs. Reducing the NCD burden and promoting healthy lifestyle formation of suitable strategies and their smooth implementation is the need of the hour.
