Health promotion in workplaces as a strategy for modification of risk factors for Non Communicable Diseases (NCDs): A practical example from Sri Lanka

Work ◽  
2016 ◽  
Vol 55 (2) ◽  
pp. 281-284 ◽  
Author(s):  
Amila Chandrasiri ◽  
Arosha Dissanayake ◽  
Vijitha de Silva
Keyword(s):  
Risk Factors ◽  
Health Promotion ◽  
Sri Lanka ◽  
Communicable Diseases ◽  
Non Communicable Diseases

Prevalence of risk factors for Non-communicable diseases, work-related health problems and associated factors among male three-wheeler drivers in Gampaha Urban Council area, Sri Lanka

2021 ◽  
Keyword(s):  
Risk Factors ◽  
Sri Lanka ◽  
Associated Factors ◽  
Health Problems ◽  
Communicable Diseases ◽  
Alcoholic Beverages ◽  
Cross Sectional ◽  
Non Communicable Diseases ◽  
Factors Associated ◽  
Work Related

Background and Objective: Driving is associated with various occupational health problems and the nature of the job creates a greater risk for Non-communicable diseases (NCDs) among the drivers. We aimed to determine the prevalence of risk factors for NCDs, work-related health problems and its associated factors among three-wheeler drivers in Gampaha Urban Council area, Western Province, Sri Lanka. Methods: A descriptive cross-sectional study was carried out among 289 randomly selected three-wheeler drivers. A pre-tested, validated interviewer administered questionnaire was used to collect data. Descriptive and relevant inferential statistics were used to analyze data by using SPSS v20. Binary logistic regression was used to identify the factors associated with common work-related health problems. Results: Among all participants, 80% were using alcoholic beverages, 35% of them were currently smoking and 39% of them had the habit of betel chewing. The mean body mass index (BMI) and waist circumference (WC) of the participants were 25.28 (±4.37) kg/m2 and 92.17 (±11.61) cm respectively. The prevalence of work-related health problems among the participants were low back pain (35%, 95% CI = 29.78--40.80), hypertension (32%, 95% CI = 33.14--44.37), obesity based on BMI (30%, 95%CI = 24.49--35.03). Working experience of ≥10 years (AOR = 2.29, 95% CI = 1.16--4.51), sitting for ≥6 hours/day during driving (AOR = 2.23, 95% CI = 1.03--4.82), not following regular exercise (AOR = 2.54, 95% CI = 1.02--6.37), having snacks ≥ twice/day (AOR = 3.06, 95% CI = 1.52--6.18) and WC ≥90 cm (AOR = 37.00, 95% CI = 11.00--123.99) were the factors associated with obesity. Conclusion: Tobacco and alcohol use, high BMI, inadequate physical activity, and unhealthy eating habits were found as the major risk factors for NCDs among three-wheeler drivers. The prevalence of work-related health problems was relatively high and job characteristics were the major determinant of most health problems.

Instagramming our way through public health communication: why and who is using it?

2020 ◽  
Vol 30 (Supplement_5) ◽  
Author(s):  
R Vareda ◽  
T Garcia ◽  
J Rachadell
Keyword(s):  
Public Health ◽  
Social Media ◽  
Health Promotion ◽  
Health Professionals ◽  
Cross Sectional Study ◽  
Communicable Diseases ◽  
Healthy Lifestyles ◽  
Communication Tool ◽  
Cross Sectional ◽  
Non Communicable Diseases

Abstract Background From disease prevention to health promotion, communication is key for Public Health (PH) practice and, according to the 9th Essential Public Health Operation its goal is to improve populations health literacy and capacity to access, understand and use information. Though social media is frequently presented as a potentially useful tool for PH communication, there is a lack of evidence about its effectiveness and impact on PH outcomes. This study researches Instagram® as a PH tool and aims to know who is using it, what content is shared on the platform and how much engagement there is. Methods This cross-sectional study regards information on 1000 Instagram® posts with the hashtags publichealth, publichealthpromotion, healthpromotion, publichealthmatters and publichealtheducation. Authors categorized post content and creators, and reviewed the number of likes and comments per post to determine engagement. Data analysis was performed on IBM SPSS® Statistics. Results The most common content categories were communicable diseases (n = 383), non-communicable diseases (n = 258) and healthy lifestyles (n = 143). Health professionals post more about communicable diseases (43,6%) and non-professionals about healthy lifestyles (36,1%). Non-professionals (n = 191) post about PH issues almost as much as health professionals (n = 220) and PH associations (n = 201). Most don't reference their sources (n = 821). Posts on communicable diseases have the most likes and comments per post (mean of 172 likes and 3,1 comments). Conclusions Half the Instagram® posts analysed in this study were made by health professionals or organizations. Communicable diseases, non-communicable diseases and healthy lifestyles were the most frequent content categories and had the most engagement. The majority of posts didn't reference their sources. Though Instagram® seems to be a potential PH communication tool, further research is needed to confirm its benefits for PH. Key messages Social media platforms like Instagram® are potentially powerful tools for PH communication. There is a need to understand the efficacy of social media as health promotion tools.

scholarly journals The prevalence of risk factors associated with non-communicable diseases in Afghan refugees in southern Iran: a cross-sectional study

2021 ◽  
Vol 21 (1) ◽  
Author(s):  
Erfan Taherifard ◽  
Mohammad Javad Moradian ◽  
Ehsan Taherifard ◽  
Abdolrasool Hemmati ◽  
Behnaz Rastegarfar ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Risk Factors ◽  
Tobacco Smoking ◽  
Physical Inactivity ◽  
Vegetable Intake ◽  
Vegetable Consumption ◽  
Communicable Diseases ◽  
Cross Sectional ◽  
Non Communicable Diseases ◽  
Afghan Refugees ◽  
Southern Iran

Abstract Background Refugees are highly vulnerable to many health-related risks. Monitoring non-communicable diseases (NCDs) is of overriding importance in these populations. This study aimed to investigate the prevalence of risk factors for NCDs amongst Afghan refugees in a refugee camp located in southern Iran. Methods This cross-sectional sturdy was conducted in 2018. Risk factors such as inadequate nutrition, physical inactivity, tobacco smoking, obesity and overweight, hypertension (HTN), elevated fasting plasma glucose (FPG), and dyslipidaemia were assessed. Data were gathered with a modified WHO STEPS procedure. Prevalence and age-standardized prevalence and their 95% confidence intervals (CI) were estimated. Results The estimated prevalence were 94% for inadequate fruit/vegetable consumption, 18% for physical inactivity, 9% for tobacco smoking, 3% for FPG, 20% for HTN, 51% for central obesity, 24% for overweight, 19% for obesity, and 69% for dyslipidaemia. Conclusions Except for inadequate fruit and vegetable intake and dyslipidaemia, the prevalence of other NCD risk factors was low among Afghan refugees in Iran. Raising awareness about healthy diet and its importance and the provision of more affordable fruit and vegetables are two effective measures toward improving the health of refugees in Iran.

scholarly journals Effects of Behavioral Risk Factors and Social-Environmental Factors on Non-Communicable Diseases in South Korea: A National Survey Approach

2021 ◽  
Vol 18 (2) ◽  
pp. 612
Author(s):  
Nam Jeong Jeong ◽  
Eunil Park ◽  
Angel P. del Pobil
Keyword(s):  
Risk Factors ◽  
Environmental Factors ◽  
South Korea ◽  
Communicable Diseases ◽  
Behavioral Risk Factors ◽  
Behavioral Risk ◽  
Non Communicable Diseases ◽  
Path Analyses ◽  
Social Environmental ◽  
Social Environmental Factors

Non-communicable diseases (NCDs) are one of the major health threats in the world. Thus, identifying the factors that influence NCDs is crucial to monitor and manage diseases. This study investigates the effects of social-environmental and behavioral risk factors on NCDs as well as the effects of social-environmental factors on behavioral risk factors using an integrated research model. This study used a dataset from the 2017 Korea National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey. After filtering incomplete responses, 5462 valid responses remained. Items including one’s social-environmental factors (household income, education level, and region), behavioral factors (alcohol use, tobacco use, and physical activity), and NCDs histories were used for analyses. To develop a comprehensive index of each factor that allows comparison between different concepts, the researchers assigned scores to indicators of the factors and calculated a ratio of the scores. A series of path analyses were conducted to determine the extent of relationships among NCDs and risk factors. The results showed that social-environmental factors have notable effects on stroke, myocardial infarction, angina, diabetes, and gastric, liver, colon, lung, and thyroid cancers. The results indicate that the effects of social-environmental and behavioral risk factors on NCDs vary across the different types of diseases. The effects of social-environmental factors and behavioral risk factors significantly affected NCDs. However, the effect of social-environmental factors on behavioral risk factors was not supported. Furthermore, social-environmental factors and behavioral risk factors affect NCDs in a similar way. However, the effects of behavioral risk factors were smaller than those of social-environmental factors. The current research suggests taking a comprehensive view of risk factors to further understand the antecedents of NCDs in South Korea.

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