Socio-demographic correlates and clustering of non-communicable diseases risk factors among reproductive aged women of Nepal: Results from Nepal Demographic Health Survey 2016

Abstract

AbstractGlobally, Non Communicable Diseases (NCDs) are the major killer diseases, majority of which are attributable to common risk factors like smoking, alcohol intake, physical inactivity and low fruits/vegetable consumption. Clustering of these risk factors increases the risk of developing NCDs. The occurrence of NCDs among women is alarmingly high, and this invites impact on upcoming generation too. So, this study aimed to assess the prevalence and clustering of selected risk factors and their socio-demographic determinants in Nepalese women using Nepal Demographic and Health Survey (NDHS) 2016 data.NDHS applied stratified multi-stage cluster sampling to reach to the individual respondent for representing the whole nation. This study included analysis of data of 6,396 women of age 15 to 49 years. Chi-square test for bivariate analysis and multiple poisson regression to calculate adjusted prevalence ratio was applied.A total of 8.91% participants were current smoker. Similarly, 22.19% and 11.45% of participants were overweight and hypertensive respectively. Around 6.02% of participants had a co-occurrence of two NCDs risk factors. Smoking, overweight and hypertension were significantly associated with age, education, province, wealth index and ethnicity. Risk factors were more likely to cluster in women aged 40-49 years (APR=2.95, CI: 2.58-3.38), widow/separated (APR=3.09, CI: 2.24-4.28) and Dalit) (APR=1.34, CI: 1.17-1.55).This study found that NCD risk factors were disproportionately distributed by age, education, socio-economic status and ethnicity and clustered in more vulnerable groups such as widow/separated, Dalit and Janajati.