Non-communicable disease (NCD) risk factors and diabetes among adults living in slum areas of Dhaka, Bangladesh

Abstract

Background Despite one-third of the urban population in Bangladesh living in urban slums and at increased risk of non-communicable diseases (NCDs), little is known about the NCD risk profile of this at-risk population. The aim of the study was to identify the prevalence of the NCD risk factors and the association of NCD risk factors with socio-demographic factors among the adults of urban slums in Dhaka, Bangladesh. Method A cross-sectional study was conducted among adult slum dwellers (aged 25 and above)

residing in three purposively selected urban slums of Dhaka for at least six months preced- ing the survey. The risk factors assessed were- currently smoking, fruit and vegetable

intake, physical activity, hypertension and body mass index (BMI). Information on self- reported diabetes was also taken. A total of 507 participants (252 females; 49.7%) were

interviewed and their physical measures were taken using the WHO NCD STEPS instrument. Result The overall prevalence of NCD risk factors was: 36.0% (95% CI: 31.82–40.41) for smoking; 95.60% (95% CI: 93.60–97.40) for insufficient fruit and vegetable intake; 15.30% (95% CI:12.12–18.71) for low physical activity;13.70% (95% CI: 10.71–16.92) for hypertension; 22.70% (95% CI: 19.31–26.02) for overweight or obesity; and 5.00% (95%: 3.20–7.00) for self-reported diabetes. In the logistic regression model, the clustering of three or more NCD

risk factors was positively associated with younger age groups (p = 0.02), no formal educa- tion (p <0.001) and primary education level (p = 0.01), but did not differ by sex of the partici- pants, monthly income and occupation. Conclusion All NCD risk factors are markedly high among the urban slum adults. These findings are important to support the formulation and implementation of NCD-related polices and plan of actions that recognize urban slum populations in Bangladesh as a priority sub-population.