PREVALENCE OF NON-COMMUNICABLE DISEASE RISK FACTORS: A COMMUNITY BASED SURVEY AMONG YOUNG ADULTS

Abstract

Objective: To determine the frequency of non-communicable disease risk factors among young adults.

Study Design: Descriptive cross-sectional study.

Place and Duration of Study: Educational Institutes of Pakistan, from Mar to Aug 2021.

Methodology: The target population was young individuals aged 18-30 years of Pakistan. In order to achieve a homogenous sample multi-stage cluster sampling technique was used for collection of data. A validated data collection tool was adapted from WHO STEPS survey.

Results: The mean age of the study participants was 22.75 ± 6.418 years. The mean height (ft) and weight (kg) of the respondents was 5.86 ± 16.58 and 61.26 ± 15.51 respectively. There were 272 (45.6%) males and 328 (54.6%) females. The family history of diabetes was 150 (25%) and family history of cardiovascular diseases 100 (16.6%) in our study population. Majority of respondents 290 (48.40%) were physically inactive. Fried foods and carbohydrates consumption is higher and lower intake of vegetables per day 150 (25%). Out of 280 (46%) respondents consumed 1-2 cups of coffee daily while 450 (75%) consumed 0.5-1 L of soft drink daily. Most of the 320 (53.33%) respondents are stressed, 360 (60%) anxious, 352 (59%) fatigued, 296 (49.3%) experienced anger and 200 (33.33%) were active smokers.

Conclusion: This multi-center study concludes that there is an increasing trend of non-communicable diseases risk factors among the young population of Pakistan, which demands timely intervention to curtail the existing burden of NCD's.