scholarly journals Modifiable risk factors for non-communicable diseases among medical and non-medical University students in Dar es Salaam, Tanzania: A cross sectional study

2020 ◽  
Author(s):  
Suddeys Abdulbasat ◽  
Method Kazaura

Abstract Background: Currently, non-communicable diseases (NCDs) are among the global health problems accounting for more than 70% of deaths. Yet, healthcare, workers, university and college students who are key educators to the public are at high risk of NCDs. The objective of this study was to assess modifiable risk factors for NCDs among medical and non-medical university students in Dar es Salaam, Tanzania.Methods: A cross-sectional study included respondents from six universities; split equally between medical and non-medical programmes. From universities with medical programmes, we randomly selected students in clinical track. We administered a modified WHO STEP-1 questionnaire to collect data on modifiable risk factors of NCDs.Results: A total of 574 students participated in the study. Of these, 315 (54.9%) undergraduates were in medical programmes. Few, 7 (3.1%), of the non-medical undergraduates and 14 (4.7%) of the non-medical undergraduates had none of the NCDs risk factors. The proportion of harmful alcohol consumption among medical and non-medical university students was 15 (4.8%) and 6 (2.3%) respectively. Students reporting sedentary lifestyle was significantly (p < 0.01) higher among non-medical undergraduates, 97 (37.5%), as compared to 82 (31.2%) students in non-medical universities. Undergraduates in non-medical programmes have 10% significantly increased prevalence ratio of high modifiable risk as compared to medical university students, (aPR=1.1, 95%CI: 1.0–1.2) independent of age and sex.Conclusion: Tobacco and armful alcohol consumption among students in medical and non-medical universities is low. Reported physical inactivity and unhealthy diet are high. We suggest broader communication strategies targeting university students in medical and non-medical programmes on dangers of NCDs and awareness of their modifiable risk factors.

PLoS ONE ◽  
2020 ◽  
Vol 15 (2) ◽  
pp. e0229329 ◽  
Author(s):  
Hein Htet ◽  
Yu Mon Saw ◽  
Thu Nandar Saw ◽  
Nang Mie Mie Htun ◽  
Khaing Lay Mon ◽  
...  

Author(s):  
Yasir B. Elshambaty ◽  
Mohamed D. Gismalla ◽  
Ahmed S. Alomari ◽  
Abdulkareem A. Alghamdi ◽  
Abdulelah F. Almalki ◽  
...  

Background: The aim of this study was to know the level of awareness of non-medical university students of risk factors and symptoms of colorectal cancer.Methods: This is a cross-sectional study conducted at Al Baha University among non-medical students between 1st of May and 30th of June 2017.Results: The study comprised (n=463) students. Smoking and sedentary life as risk factors to CRC was known by (55.3%) and (51.0%) respectively. less than half (42%) knew that alcohol is a risk factor. The vast majority of our students (68.7%) had known that fruits and vegetables can decrease the incidence of CRC. The symptoms of CRC that more recognized by participants were abdominal pain (43.2%) and bleeding per rectum(45.5%).Conclusions: We concluded that the overall knowledge of non-medical University students concerning the awareness of risk factors and symptomatology of colorectal cancer is poor and nearly similar to general population knowledge concerning this problem.


2021 ◽  
Vol 9 ◽  
pp. 205031212110245
Author(s):  
Getu Mosisa ◽  
Bikila Regassa ◽  
Bayise Biru

Introduction: Hypertension remains an emerging public health problem globally, particularly in developing countries. Age, income level, obesity, alcohol consumption, smoking, vegetables and fruit consumption, physical activity and chat chewing were some risk factors of hypertension. However, there are limited data on the epidemiology of hypertension in Ethiopia. This study aimed to assess Epidemiology of Hypertension among the community of selected towns of Wollega zones. Methods: A community-based cross-sectional study was conducted from 1 to 30 June 2019 in selected towns of Wollega zones. A multistage sampling technique was used to select 840 study participants. Data were collected using the WHO STEP wise approach. The data were coded and entered into EpiData 3, and exported to SPSS version 20.0 for analysis. Bivariate and multivariable logistic regression analyses were conducted. Statistical significance was declared at p-value < 0.05. Results: The study included a total of 838 respondents with a response rate of 99.7%. The prevalence of hypertension was found to be 189 (22.6%) (95% confidence interval = 19.9%–25.2%). Of this, 108 (12.9%) and 81 (9.7%) of female and male were hypertensive, respectively. Age groups of 30–44 years (adjusted odds ratio = 2.65 (1.43, 4.89)), 45–59 years (adjusted odds ratio = 3.55 (1.79, 7.04)), above 60 years (adjusted odds ratio = 2.97 (1.43, 6.18)), having history of alcohol consumption (adjusted odds ratio = 4.29 (2.4, 7.66)), involving in vigorous physical activity (adjusted odds ratio = 0.096 (0.028, 0.33)), not walking to and from the work (adjusted odds ratio = 13.12 (8.34, 20.67)), being overweight (adjusted odds ratio = 1.98 (1.21, 3.25)), inadequate fruits serving per day (adjusted odds ratio = 2.93 (1.75, 4.88)) were significantly associated with hypertension. Conclusion: The prevalence of hypertension was found to be high in the study area. Older age, alcohol consumption, not engaging in vigorous activity, physical inactivity, being overweight and inadequate intake of fruits were found to be risk factors for hypertension. Therefore, health care providers should provide extensive health education and promotion on recommended lifestyle modification to tackle the burden of hypertension.


BMJ Open ◽  
2021 ◽  
Vol 11 (3) ◽  
pp. e043814
Author(s):  
Mesfin Tadese ◽  
Andargachew Kassa ◽  
Abebaw Abeje Muluneh ◽  
Girma Altaye

ObjectivesThe study aimed to provide an association between dysmenorrhoea and academic performance among university students in Ethiopia. Further, the study attempts to determine the prevalence and associated risk factors of dysmenorrhoea.Design and methodInstitution-based cross-sectional study was conducted from 1 April to 28 April 2019. A semistructured and pretested self-administered questionnaire was used to collect data. Binary logistic regression analysis and one-way analysis of variance were performed to model dysmenorrhoea and academic performance, respectively.Setting and participantsEthiopia (2019: n=647 female university students).OutcomesThe primary outcome is dysmenorrhoea, which has been defined as painful menses that prevents normal activity and requires medication. The self-reported cumulative grade point average of students was used as a proxy measure of academic performance, which is the secondary outcome.ResultsThe prevalence of dysmenorrhoea was 317 (51.5%). The educational status of father (adjusted OR (AOR) (95% CI) 2.64 (1.04 to 6.66)), chocolate consumption (AOR (95% CI) 3.39 (95% 1.28 to 8.93)), daily breakfast intake (<5 days/week) (AOR (95% CI) 0.63 (0.42 to 0.95)), irregular menstrual cycle AOR (95% CI) 2.34 (1.55 to 3.54)) and positive family history of dysmenorrhoea AOR (95% CI) 3.29 (2.25 to 4.81)) had statistically significant association with dysmenorrhoea. There was no statistically significant difference in academic performance among students with and without dysmenorrhoea (F (3611)=1.276, p=0.28)).ConclusionsDysmenorrhoea was a common health problem among graduating University students. However, it has no statistically significant impact on academic performance. Reproductive health officers should educate and undermine the negative academic consequences of dysmenorrhoea to reduce the physical and psychological stress that happens to females and their families.


2021 ◽  
Vol 21 (1) ◽  
Author(s):  
Akhila Doddamani ◽  
A. B. Kirthinath Ballala ◽  
Sharath P. Madhyastha ◽  
Asha Kamath ◽  
Muralidhar M. Kulkarni

Abstract Background India is currently facing a rising epidemic of Non-Communicable Diseases (NCDs). Identification of modifiable risk factors is of paramount importance to curb this menace. Fishermen are one of the most vulnerable occupational groups with unique characteristics that make them prone to acquire NCDs, as a significant share of their life is spent at sea. Hence, this study was planned to ascertain the burden of NCDs, determine various risk factors of NCDs, and measure the association between risk factors and NCDs among fishermen of Coastal Karnataka in South India. Methods A cross-sectional study was conducted among 681 fishermen aged 18 years and above as per the semi-structured interview schedule for two years (2017–2019). A convenience sampling strategy was adopted. The data was entered and analyzed using SPSS v.15.0. The results were described in terms of proportions and their 95% confidence intervals. Continuous data were summarized using the mean and standard deviation or median and interquartile range depending on the skewness of data. Chi-square test was used to study the association between NCDs and modifiable risk factors. Multiple logistic regression was used to identify risk factors of NCDs. Results The mean (SD) age of the population was 42.5 (SD 12.5) years. The mean years involved in fishing was 19.8 years (SD 10.9). More than half (59.5%) of the study participants had severe stress and most (80.3%) were ever substance users. Advancing age, not being able to contact family while at sea, poor dietary practice, ever substance use, increasing waist circumference were significant correlates of NCDs. Conclusions The commonly prevalent risk factors of NCDs among fishermen included poor dietary practice, higher stress levels, substance use, increasing waist circumference, and inability to contact with family while at sea. Hypertension and Diabetes were the two common NCDs in the study population. There is a need for immediate attention in managing NCDs’ risk factors by promoting a healthy lifestyle by primary health care providers through a sustainable community awareness program targeting fishermen at a convenient time and location, either at the sea-port or meeting places. Harmful effects of substance use, healthy dietary practices, and the importance of physical activity outside their job need emphasis. In addition, screening programs should be organized with the help of boat owners and fishing associations at-least once a year to pick up NCDs at an early stage.


PLoS ONE ◽  
2016 ◽  
Vol 11 (4) ◽  
pp. e0152547 ◽  
Author(s):  
Yan Zhang ◽  
Fan Zhang ◽  
Ping Hu ◽  
Wenjie Huang ◽  
Lu Lu ◽  
...  

2020 ◽  
Vol V (I) ◽  
pp. 1-8
Author(s):  
Husna Khalid ◽  
Muhammad Rauf ul Hassan ◽  
Iqra Aurangzeb Khan ◽  
Huma Farooq ◽  
Zafar Iqbal

To assess the knowledge and awareness of osteoporosis and its risk factors among female university students in Mirpur Azad Kashmir. A cross-sectional study was carried out in female university students in Mirpur Azad Kashmir using a self-administered questionnaire. Knowledge and awareness of osteoporosis was assessed using OKAT (Osteoporosis Knowledge Assessment Tool) and descriptive analysis by using SPSS (version 25). Pearson Chi-Square test (p < 0.05) was used to assess significance.Mean age of the participants was 22.45 + 1.279 years. Mean total score was 11.86 + 3.3. The overall score of knowledge was moderate (68.8%). There was a significantly high difference about risk factors, complications, and preventive measures of osteoporosis between the two groups (p = 0.000). Discipline and family history of disease were significantly associated with overall knowledge score. This study concluded that overall knowledge of osteoporosis among female students was moderate. A well-structured education programs must be added to curriculum to prevent osteoporosis in later stages.


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