Physiological and biochemical parameters of smokers and alcohol consuming adults from Terai region of Nepal using cross-sectional study

Abstract

Non-communicable chronic diseases (NCD) are contributing 46% to the global diseases burden and account for 59% of annual death. Tobacco and alcohol consumptions are reported as major factors associated with growing burden of NCDs and account for 11.5% of global death with around 80% of these deaths are reported in low middle-income countries.Nepal, a low middle-income county, is also facing an increasing prevalence (31%) of NCDs with a significant prevalence of smoking (37.1%) and alcohol consumption (15%-57%). To explore the physiological and biochemical parameters of smoker and alcohol consuming subjects of Terai region of Nepal. We conducted a community based cross-sectional study during August to November 2019, 282 adult participants were selected from Terai region of Janakpur Zone, Nepal, After obtaining written consent and clinical examination, fasting venous blood was collected from study subjects and examined for triglycerides, total cholesterol, HDL-cholesterol, LDL-cholesterol and fasting blood sugar.We observed significantly increased triglycerides (p<0.05), and waist circumference (p<0.05) in current smoking and alcohol consuming subjects, however diastolic blood pressure was found to be significantly higher among alcohol consuming subjects only (p=0.05). We did not observe any significant correlation between fasting blood sugar, total-cholesterol and LDL-cholesterol among smoking or alcohol consuming subjects.Significantly increased triglycerides, waist circumference and diastolic blood pressure in smoking and alcohol consuming subjects likely suggest lack of public awareness and heath promotion activities in Teari region of Nepal and indicate an urgent public health awareness programs in this region to maintain quality of life.