| dc.description.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. | en_US |
