Prevalence of Cardiovascular Risk Factors and Utilization of Health Care for Noncommunicable Diseases among Mishing Tribes in Assam
Background and Objectives: Studies of noncommunicable diseases (NCDs) among tribal populations in India are scarce. We assessed the prevalence of cardiovascular risk factors and utilization of health care for NCDs among Mishing tribes, in Dhemaji district, Assam. Methods: A survey was done among ran...
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| Main Authors: | , |
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| Format: | Article |
| Language: | English |
| Published: |
Wolters Kluwer Medknow Publications
2024-07-01
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| Series: | CHRISMED Journal of Health and Research |
| Subjects: | |
| Online Access: | https://journals.lww.com/10.4103/cjhr.cjhr_81_24 |
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| Summary: | Background and Objectives:
Studies of noncommunicable diseases (NCDs) among tribal populations in India are scarce. We assessed the prevalence of cardiovascular risk factors and utilization of health care for NCDs among Mishing tribes, in Dhemaji district, Assam.
Methods:
A survey was done among randomly selected participants 18–69 years from six villages in a block using the World Health Organization (WHO) STEPS questionnaire, along with anthropometry and blood pressure. The WHO’s Study on Global AGEing and Adult Health questionnaire was used to assess healthcare utilization in people living with NCDs.
Results:
The survey was done among 284 adults (93.1% response rate; 133 males). The prevalence of current smoking was 41.3% (55) among males and 2.6% (4) among females, with daily use of smokeless tobacco in 84.2% (112) of males and 56.9% (86) of females. Current use of alcohol among males and females was 87.2% (116) and 75.5% (114), respectively. Among females, abdominal obesity was found in 50.9% (77) and body mass index ≥30 kg/m2 in 31.1% (47) compared to 24.1% (32) and 20.3% (27), respectively, in males. Hypertension (diagnosed or newly detected) was found in 45.9% (61) of males and 23.2% (35) of females. Only 58.3% (28/48) of those with known hypertension were taking treatment in the last 2 weeks. History of ever having been checked for high blood sugar and hypertension was 22.1% (63/284) and 75.4% (214/284), respectively.
Conclusions:
The high prevalence of cardiovascular risk factors in this tribal population, especially underdiagnosed hypertension and poor utilization of health care, points to the need for targeted interventions for these populations. |
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| ISSN: | 2348-3334 2348-506X |