Exposing the Iceberg: A Study on Risk Assessment and Chronic Morbidity due to Non Communicable Diseases among Rural Population of Kerala Using STEPS Survey

Introduction: Non Communicable Diseases (NCDs) (heart diseases, chronic respiratory disease, stroke, diabetes, cancer) pose a significant public health burden especially in low and middle income countries. The increasing prevalence of NCDs will have significant implications in socio-economic and health sector and hence, needs immediate attention.

Aim: To see the prevalence of NCDs and its risk factors among residents in a rural population of Pathanamthitta district.

Materials and Methods: This cross-sectional survey was conducted among 2236 adults of both gender residing in Konni Block, Pathanamthitta over a period of six months using the World Health Organisation STEPwise approach to surveillance (WHO STEPS) survey, the Achutha Menon Centre Diabetes Risk Score (AMCDRS) and risk score to predict hypertension in primary care settings. Variables were expressed using proportions with 95% Confidence Intervals (CI). Chi-square test was used for comparison of proportions across groups. Logistic regression analysis were used to determine the predictors of morbid conditions.

Results: Total of 2236 study participants consisted of 53.8% females and 46.2% males with the mean age 47±17.5 years was included. Among them, 683 (30.7%) suffered from one or more morbidity. Around 18.1% and 19.9% of study participants suffered from diabetes and hypertension, respectively. More than 25% of the study population was at risk of developing hypertension and diabetes. Substance abuse, obesity and family history of diabetes were found to be risk factors for the development of morbidity.

Conclusion: The present study provides evidence of the growing burden of morbidity from NCDs. Increasing prevalence of multimorbidity and clustering of risk factors demand urgent and co-ordinated attention.