Non Communicable Diseases

Consumption of fast foods has gradually become a common lifestyle in Nigeria especially in urban areas and among young people in spite of the associated adverse health consequences. University undergraduates' pattern of consumption of fast foods and their perception of this practice as a risk factor for Non-Communicable Diseases (NCDs) have not been fully explored. This study was designed to assess fast food consumption pattern and the perception of it as a risk factor for NCDs among undergraduates of University of Ibadan. Four hundred undergraduate students recruited using a three-stage sampling technique from halls of residences participated in the survey. Data was collected through a pretested self administered questionnaire and analyzed using descriptive statistics and Chi-square test. The mean age of respondents was 22.0 ± 3.3 years, 57.3% were males, 98.5% singles and 85.4% of their parents were employed. Majority (99.5%) were aware of fast foods and 54.6% perceived them t...

Non-communicable diseases (NCDs) are the leading cause of death globally and they are on the rise both in low- and middle-income countries, with South Africa being no exception. Implicated in this upward trend in the country is an observed change in diet - a transition from traditional foods, to what has come to be known as the 'western' diet, i.e. more energy-dense, processed foods, more foods of animal origin, and more added sugar, salt and fat. Increasingly, international research links rapidly changing food environment with escalating chronic disease, i.e. it implicates population-level dietary change over individual factors such as knowledge, attitudes and behaviours. Environmental and/or policy interventions can be some of the most effective strategies for creating healthier food environments. This chapter explores the link between the rise in diet-related NCDs, their proximal determinants (specifically an observed change in diet patterns), contributing environmental f...

Public health surveys deployed through automated mobile phone calls raise a set of ethical challenges, including succinctly communicating information necessary to obtain respondent informed consent. This study aimed to capture the perspectives of key stakeholders, both experts and community members, on consent processes and preferences for participation in automated mobile phone surveys (MPS) of non-communicable disease risk factors in Colombia. We conducted semi-structured interviews with ethics and digital health experts and focus group discussions with community representatives. There was meaningful disagreement within both groups regarding the necessity of consent, when the purpose of a survey is to contribute to the formulation of public policies. Respondents who favored consent emphasized that consent communications ought to promote understanding and voluntariness, and implicitly suggested that information disclosure conform to a reasonable person standard. Given the automated...

Consumption of fast foods has gradually become a common lifestyle in Nigeria especially in urban areas and among young people in spite of the associated adverse health consequences. University undergraduates' pattern of consumption of fast foods and their perception of this practice as a risk factor for Non-Communicable Diseases (NCDs) have not been fully explored. This study was designed to assess fast food consumption pattern and the perception of it as a risk factor for NCDs among undergraduates of University of Ibadan. Four hundred undergraduate students recruited using a three-stage sampling technique from halls of residences participated in the survey. Data was collected through a pretested self administered questionnaire and analyzed using descriptive statistics and Chi-square test. The mean age of respondents was 22.0 ± 3.3 years, 57.3% were males, 98.5% singles and 85.4% of their parents were employed. Majority (99.5%) were aware of fast foods and 54.6% perceived them t...

The novel coronavirus (COVID-19) outbreak is a public health emergency of international concern, and as a response, public health authorities started enforcing preventive measures like self-isolation and social distancing. The enforcement of isolation has consequences that may affect the lifestyle-related behavior of the general population. Quarantine encompasses a range of strategies that can be used to detain, isolate, or conditionally release individuals or populations infected or exposed to contagious diseases and should be tailored to circumstances. Interestingly, medical students may represent an example of how the COVID-19 pandemic can form new habits and change lifestyle behaviors. We conducted a web-based survey to assess changes in lifestyle-related behavior of self-isolated medical students during the COVID-19 pandemic. Then we analyzed the sanitary-hygienic regulations of the Russian Federation to determine the requirements for healthy buildings. Results showed that duri...

Rice in the human diet serves underprivileged populations in Asia as a means of nutritional replenishment for energy and protein as well serving as a vehicle for micronutrient fortification. About 85% of rice consumption is mainly white rice. A possible relationship between white rice consumption and health risk exists. The threat is real enough for the scientific community to promote wholegrain consumption in place of refined grains. In the transitioning food environment, white rice is categorised as a refined grain and is thus implicated in the development of non-communicable diseases (NCDs). There is considerable interest in exploring glycaemic index (GI) in relation to the consumption of different rice varieties. The variable glycaemic response to rice types is better appreciated from the viewpoint of factors that moderate this response. Genetic make-up, physicochemical properties, amylose and dietary fibre content, post-harvesting processing as well as cooking methods are influ...

Consumption of fast foods has gradually become a common lifestyle in Nigeria especially in urban areas and among young people in spite of the associated adverse health consequences. University undergraduates' pattern of consumption of fast foods and their perception of this practice as a risk factor for Non-Communicable Diseases (NCDs) have not been fully explored. This study was designed to assess fast food consumption pattern and the perception of it as a risk factor for NCDs among undergraduates of University of Ibadan. Four hundred undergraduate students recruited using a three-stage sampling technique from halls of residences participated in the survey. Data was collected through a pretested self administered questionnaire and analyzed using descriptive statistics and Chi-square test. The mean age of respondents was 22.0 ± 3.3 years, 57.3% were males, 98.5% singles and 85.4% of their parents were employed. Majority (99.5%) were aware of fast foods and 54.6% perceived them t...

Public health surveys deployed through automated mobile phone calls raise a set of ethical challenges, including succinctly communicating information necessary to obtain respondent informed consent. This study aimed to capture the perspectives of key stakeholders, both experts and community members, on consent processes and preferences for participation in automated mobile phone surveys (MPS) of non-communicable disease risk factors in Colombia. We conducted semi-structured interviews with ethics and digital health experts and focus group discussions with community representatives. There was meaningful disagreement within both groups regarding the necessity of consent, when the purpose of a survey is to contribute to the formulation of public policies. Respondents who favored consent emphasized that consent communications ought to promote understanding and voluntariness, and implicitly suggested that information disclosure conform to a reasonable person standard. Given the automated...

Dans les pays en voie de développement aux ressources limitées, l’augmentation de la prévalence des maladies cardiovasculaires constitue un problème émergent majeur. Au Burundi, la fragilité du système de santé après la fin des conflits rend primordiale la mise en place d’actions de prévention en direction des personnes à risque. En 2007, un programme structuré de prévention des sujets à haut risque a été mis en place dans le cadre d’un réseau de santé communautaire à Bujumbura, la capitale. Dans 10 structures de santé et ONG et dans 3 associations de patients a été effectué un dépistage gratuit du risque à partir de critères cliniques et de la détermination de la glycémie capillaire. De juin 2007 à décembre 2008, 377 séances de groupe pour 1318 personnes à risque et 2457 participations (1 à 3 séances par personne sur un cycle comportant 3 thématiques) ont été réalisées par 19 infirmières et pairs éducateurs formés conjointement par un diabétologue et une ethnosociologue. Les situat...

Consumption of fast foods has gradually become a common lifestyle in Nigeria especially in urban areas and among young people in spite of the associated adverse health consequences. University undergraduates' pattern of consumption of fast foods and their perception of this practice as a risk factor for Non-Communicable Diseases (NCDs) have not been fully explored. This study was designed to assess fast food consumption pattern and the perception of it as a risk factor for NCDs among undergraduates of University of Ibadan. Four hundred undergraduate students recruited using a three-stage sampling technique from halls of residences participated in the survey. Data was collected through a pretested self administered questionnaire and analyzed using descriptive statistics and Chi-square test. The mean age of respondents was 22.0 ± 3.3 years, 57.3% were males, 98.5% singles and 85.4% of their parents were employed. Majority (99.5%) were aware of fast foods and 54.6% perceived them t...

ObjectiveTo describe the number of processed and ultra-processed food (PUPF) advertisements (ads) targeted to children on Argentinean television (TV), to analyse the advertising techniques used and the nutritional quality of the foods advertised, and to determine the potential exposure of children to unhealthy food advertising in our country.DesignFive free-to-air channels and the three most popular children’s cable networks were recorded from 07.00 to 22.00 hours for 6 weeks. Ads were classified by target audience, type of product, advertised food categories and advertising strategies used. The NOVA system was used to classify food products according to industrial food processing level. Nutritional quality was analysed using the Pan American Health Organization’s nutrient profile model.SettingBuenos Aires, Argentina. Results are considered applicable to most of the country.SubjectsThe study did not involve human subjects.ResultsOf the sample of food ads, PUPF products were more fre...

Public health surveys deployed through automated mobile phone calls raise a set of ethical challenges, including succinctly communicating information necessary to obtain respondent informed consent. This study aimed to capture the perspectives of key stakeholders, both experts and community members, on consent processes and preferences for participation in automated mobile phone surveys (MPS) of non-communicable disease risk factors in Colombia. We conducted semi-structured interviews with ethics and digital health experts and focus group discussions with community representatives. There was meaningful disagreement within both groups regarding the necessity of consent, when the purpose of a survey is to contribute to the formulation of public policies. Respondents who favored consent emphasized that consent communications ought to promote understanding and voluntariness, and implicitly suggested that information disclosure conform to a reasonable person standard. Given the automated...

The rise of non-communicable diseases (NCDs) in Africa requires a multi-sectoral action (MSA) in their prevention and control. This study aimed to generate evidence on the extent of MSA application in NCD prevention policy development in five sub-Saharan African countries (Kenya, South Africa, Cameroon, Nigeria and Malawi) focusing on policies around the major NCD risk factors. The broader study applied a multiple case study design to capture rich descriptions of policy contents, processes and actors as well as contextual factors related to the policies around the major NCD risk factors at single- and multi-country levels. Data were collected through document reviews and key informant interviews with decision-makers and implementers in various sectors. Further consultations were conducted with NCD experts on MSA application in NCD prevention policies in the region. For this paper, we report on how MSA was applied in the policy process. The findings revealed some degree of applicatio...

Background: Recent societal and political reforms in Myanmar may upturn the socio-economy and, thus, contribute to the country’s health transition. Baseline data on urban-rural disparities in non-communicable disease (NCD) risk factors are not thoroughly described in this country which has been relatively closed for more than five decades. We aim to investigate urban-rural differences in mean values and the prevalence of selected behavioral and metabolic risk factors for non-communicable diseases and 10-years risk in development of coronary heart diseases (CHD). Methods: Two cross-sectional studies were conducted in urban and rural areas of Yangon Region in 2013 and 2014 respectively, using the WHO STEPwise approach to surveillance of risk factors of NCDs. Through a multi-stage cluster sampling method, 1486 participants were recruited. Results: Age-standardized prevalence of the behavioral risk factors tended to be higher in the rural than urban areas for all included factors and si...

There are innumerable fruits which are consumed for their nutritional and medicinal potential. Bioactive constituents present in various fruits act as radical scavengers and helps in preventing non-communicable diseases such as cardiovascular diseases, diabetes mellitus, hypertension etc. The study aimed to characterize the nutritional, mineral composition and antioxidant potential of guava cultivars viz; Allahabad safeda and L-49. The nutritional composition estimation was done according to standard protocol given by AOAC, mineral contents were determined by using Atomic absorption Spectrophotometer and antioxidant content (Total phenols content and total flavonoids content) and activity ( reducing power assay and hydroxyl radical scavenging activity) were performed by standard protocol.According to results obtained, Allahabad safeda cv guava had significantly high amount of fibre(2.91±0.04 g/100g), calcium(145± 0.24 mg/100g),magnesium (59.92±1.02 mg/100g) and vitamin-C(214±0.4...

Low-income and middle-income countries are struggling with a growing epidemic of non-communicable diseases. To achieve the Sustainable Development Goals, their healthcare systems need to be strengthened and redesigned. The Starfield 4Cs of primary care—first- contact access, care coordination, comprehensiveness and continuity—offer practical, high-quality design options for non-communicable disease care in low-income and middle-income countries. We describe an integrated non- communicable disease intervention in rural Nepal using the 4C principles. We present 18 months of retrospective assessment of implementation for patients with type II diabetes, hypertension and chronic obstructive pulmonary disease. We assessed feasibility using facility and community follow-up as proxy measures, and assessed effectiveness using singular ‘at-goal’ metrics for each condition. The median follow-up for diabetes, hypertension and chronic obstructive pulmonary disease was 6, 6 and 7 facility visits,...

Background: COVID-19 is the third corona virus that has emerged among the human population in the last two decades. The main aim of this study was to describe the epidemiologic features, clinical presentation of first 52 patients diagnosed with polymerase chain reaction (PCR)-confirmed SARS-CoV-2 infection admitted at COVID health facilities.Methods: A retrospective descriptive study was conducted over a period of three months from 1st April 2020 to 30th June 2020. We obtained demographic, epidemiological, clinical, laboratory data from the medical records of patients infected with SARS-Cov-2. The categorical variables were expressed in terms of frequency and percentages and the continuous variables were expressed as mean and standard deviation. In addition to descriptive analysis, Pearson’s chi- square test was applied to ascertain the associations between certain variables.Results: The mean age of participants was 29±11.67 years with a male preponderance. Forty three (83%) patient...

Since the emergence of the COVID-19 pandemic, the mortality statistics are constantly changing globally. Mortality statistics analysis has vital implications to implement evidence-based policy recommendations. This study aims to study the demographic characteristics, patterns, determinants, and the main causes of death during the first half of 2020, in the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia (KSA). Methodology: A retrospective descriptive study targeted all death (29291) registered in 286 private and governmental health settings, from all over KSA. The data was extracted from the ministry of health’s death records after the ethical approval. The International Classification of Diseases (ICD-10) and WHO grouping, were used to classify the underlying causes of deaths. The collected data were analyzed using the appropriate tables and graphs. Results: 7055 (24.9%) died at the middle age (40–59 y), and 19212(65.6%) were males, and 18110 (61.8%) were Saudi. The leading causes of deaths were non-commu...

Dans les pays en voie de développement aux ressources limitées, l’augmentation de la prévalence des maladies cardiovasculaires constitue un problème émergent majeur. Au Burundi, la fragilité du système de santé après la fin des conflits rend primordiale la mise en place d’actions de prévention en direction des personnes à risque. En 2007, un programme structuré de prévention des sujets à haut risque a été mis en place dans le cadre d’un réseau de santé communautaire à Bujumbura, la capitale. Dans 10 structures de santé et ONG et dans 3 associations de patients a été effectué un dépistage gratuit du risque à partir de critères cliniques et de la détermination de la glycémie capillaire. De juin 2007 à décembre 2008, 377 séances de groupe pour 1318 personnes à risque et 2457 participations (1 à 3 séances par personne sur un cycle comportant 3 thématiques) ont été réalisées par 19 infirmières et pairs éducateurs formés conjointement par un diabétologue et une ethnosociologue. Les situat...

Rice lines with slower starch digestibility provide opportunities in mitigating the global rise in type II diabetes and related non-communicable diseases. However, screening for low glycemic index (GI) in rice breeding programs is not possible due to time and cost constraints. This study evaluated the feasibility of using in vitro cooked grain amylolysis, starch mobilization patterns during seed germination, and variation in starch structure and composition in the mature seed to differentiate patterns of starch digestibility. Mobilization patterns of total starch, resistant starch, amylose and amylopectin chains, and free sugars during seed germination revealed that the process is analogous to digestion in the human gastrointestinal tract. The combination of these biochemical markers can be used as an alternative measure to predict GI. Additionally, transcriptome analysis of stored mRNA transcripts in high and low GI lines detected differences in starch metabolism and confirmed the ...

Low-income and middle-income countries are struggling with a growing epidemic of non-communicable diseases. To achieve the Sustainable Development Goals, their healthcare systems need to be strengthened and redesigned. The Starfield 4Cs of primary care—first-contact access, care coordination, comprehensiveness and continuity—offer practical, high-quality design options for non-communicable disease care in low-income and middle-income countries. We describe an integrated non-communicable disease intervention in rural Nepal using the 4C principles. We present 18 months of retrospective assessment of implementation for patients with type II diabetes, hypertension and chronic obstructive pulmonary disease. We assessed feasibility using facility and community follow-up as proxy measures, and assessed effectiveness using singular ‘at-goal’ metrics for each condition. The median follow-up for diabetes, hypertension and chronic obstructive pulmonary disease was 6, 6 and 7 facility visits, a...

Diabetes mellitus self-management (DMSM) is an essential strategy used to maintain blood glucose levels and to prevent severe complications. Several barriers have been documented while implementing DMSM practices. A qualitative study aimed to explore barriers to effective DMSM practice among uncontrolled glycemic type 2 diabetes mellitus (T2DM) patients in Indonesia. We conducted in-depth interviews and focus group discussions (FGDs) among 28 key informants, including patients, family members, healthcare providers (HCPs), and village health volunteers (VHVs). The interviews and FGDs were audiotaped and transcribed verbatim. The results revealed six core themes with sub-categories of themes used by all participants to describe the barriers to effective DMSM practice among uncontrolled T2DM patients. The critical barriers of DMSM practice included low perception of susceptibility to and severity of the illness; inadequate knowledge and skill of diabetes mellitus self-management; lack ...