New perspectives on the therapeutic potential of quercetin in non-communicable diseases:Targeting Nrf2 to counteract oxidative stress and inflammation

Non-communicable diseases(NCDs),including cardiovascular diseases,cancer,metabolic diseases,and skeletal diseases,pose significant challenges to public health worldwide.The complex pathogenesis of these diseases is closely linked to oxidative stress and inflammatory damage.Nuclear factor erythroid 2-related factor 2(Nrf2),a critical transcription factor,plays an important role in regulating antioxidant and anti-inflammatory responses to protect the cells from oxidative damage and inflammation-mediated injury.Therefore,Nrf2-targeting therapies hold promise for preventing and treating NCDs.Quercetin(Que)is a widely available flavonoid that has significant antioxidant and anti-inflammatory properties.It modulates the Nrf2 signaling pathway to ameliorate oxidative stress and inflammation.Que modulates mitochondrial function,apoptosis,autophagy,and cell damage biomarkers to regulate oxidative stress and inflammation,highlighting its efficacy as a therapeutic agent against NCDs.Here,we discussed,for the first time,the close association between NCD pathogenesis and the Nrf2 signaling pathway,involved in neurodegenerative diseases(NDDs),cardiovascular disease,cancers,organ damage,and bone damage.Furthermore,we reviewed the availability,pharmacokinetics,pharmaceutics,and therapeutic applications of Que in treating NCDs.In addition,we focused on the challenges and prospects for its clinical use.Que represents a promising candidate for the treatment of NCDs due to its Nrf2-targeting properties.

Assessment of Barriers and Challenges to the Screening and Linkages of Non-Communicable Diseases by Community Health Volunteers in Nyeri County, Kenya

Non-communicable diseases (NCDs) are a significant global health challenge, contributing to 50% of worldwide morbidity and 63% of mortality. The burden is particularly substantial in low—and middle-income countries (LMICs), where 80% of NCD-related deaths occur. A quasi-experimental study addressed this challenge from May 2022 to March 2023. This study utilized a non-equivalent pre-and post-test design, with 300 participants in the quantitative and 70 in the qualitative. The study employed multistage cluster and random sampling to select ten community units, resulting in 150 community health volunteers (CHVs) in the control unit and 150 in the intervention group. Data collection was facilitated through the KOBO app. Qualitative data analysis involved six homogeneous focus group discussions (FGDs) and ten key informant interviews (KIIs), audio-recorded, transcribed, and analyzed using N-Vivo 12. Despite efforts to implement screening programs and improve linkages to care, significant barriers persist. This article reviews these barriers, drawing on current literature and empirical evidence. Key obstacles identified include limited awareness, inadequate healthcare infrastructure, cultural beliefs, financial constraints, fragmented healthcare systems, and challenges linking individuals to appropriate care services. The article explores strategies to overcome these barriers, emphasizing the importance of collaborative approaches involving stakeholders at various levels. Addressing these challenges aims to strengthen NCD screening and linkages to care, ultimately improving health outcomes for populations globally. Several recommendations emerge from the study’s findings and literature review. Raising awareness about NCDs and preventive measures is crucial and can be achieved through targeted health education campaigns and community outreach programs. Addressing healthcare infrastructure deficiencies, such as inadequate facilities and workforce shortages, is essential to ensure access to quality care. Cultural beliefs and practices also play a significant role in shaping health-seeking behavior. Engaging with local communities and incorporating cultural sensitivity into healthcare delivery can help bridge the gap between traditional beliefs and modern healthcare practices. Financial constraints pose a significant barrier to healthcare services, particularly in LMICs. Innovative financing mechanisms, such as health insurance schemes or subsidies, can help alleviate this burden and improve access to care. Furthermore, the fragmented nature of healthcare systems can hinder effective NCD management. Enhancing coordination and integration between primary care providers, specialists, and community health workers is essential to ensure seamless care delivery and patient follow-up. Finally, strengthening linkages between screening programs and care services is critical for the timely diagnosis and management of NCDs. This requires establishing robust referral systems and ensuring continuity of care for patients throughout their healthcare journey. In conclusion, addressing the multifaceted barriers to NCD screening and care linkage is essential for improving health outcomes globally. By implementing targeted interventions and fostering collaboration among stakeholders, progress can be made towards reducing the burden of NCDs and promoting population health.

The Interventional Capacity of Community Health Volunteers for Screening and Linkages of Non-Communicable Diseases in Nyeri County, Kenya

Non-communicable diseases (NCDs) account for 63% of mortalities. Approximately 80% of these NCD-related deaths occur in LMICs. A quasi-experimental study utilizing a non-equivalent pre-and post-test was conducted from May 2022 to March 2023 with 370 study participants. Multistage cluster and random sampling were used to select ten community units, and therefore, 150 CHVs were chosen for the control unit, and 150 were used to form the interventional group. Data was collected from the KOBO app. Six (6) homogenous FGDs comprised ten members, and 10 KII were conducted across study sites. Quantitative data was analyzed using SPSS version 28.0, and qualitative data was audio-recorded, transcribed, and analyzed via N-Vivo 12. The study shows that 59.3% of respondents have minimal information, and 92.7% (n = 139) have no clear understanding of NCDs, with a pre-intervention capacity of 48.8%. Independent sample t-test showed a significant difference in capacity from a pre-intervention average of 48.75 (SD ± 5.7)%, which increased to 68.28 (SD ± 7.6)%, p < 0.001. A well-designed community interventional model plays a pivotal role in grassroots healthcare delivery but requires optimization for NCD management.

Surveillance Report of the Prevalence and Risk Factors of Chronic Non-Communicable Diseases in Tinghu District,Yancheng City,2021

Objective:To comprehensively understand the changes and prevalence of major chronic diseases among residents of Tinghu District,Yancheng City,in 2021,and to analyze the trends of the major risk factors for the onset of chronic diseases in the region.Methods:Chronic diseases and their risk factors in Tinghu District in 2021 were monitored among the resident population who had lived in the district for five years or more and were aged 18 years or older.The survey was conducted using random cluster sampling,with 7,130 questionnaires collected.After data processing,7,012 valid questionnaires were obtained,resulting in a qualification rate of 98.35%.Results:Among the chronic diseases reported in the survey population,hypertension had the highest prevalence at 37.61%,followed by dyslipidemia at 37.19%.Other chronic diseases were ranked in order of prevalence from highest to lowest.Regardless of gender,the top three chronic diseases were hypertension,diabetes,and hyperlipidemia.Multifactorial regression analysis identified both non-preventable risk factors(such as family history,gender,and age)and preventable risk factors(such as smoking,sedentary behavior,overweight,and obesity)as significant contributors to the major chronic diseases in Tinghu District.Conclusion:Analyzing the trends in the main risk factors for chronic disease incidence in Tinghu District,Yancheng City,provides a basis for developing a new comprehensive chronic disease prevention and control plan to address chronic disease prevention and management.

Investigating College Students’ Diet and Physical Activity Behaviors Regarding Non-Communicable Diseases Prevention in China

We aimed to investigate if college students’ dietary and physical activity adhered to the Chinese Dietary Guidelines, the Composing Editorial Board of Physical Activity Guidelines, and WHO recommendation for NCDs prevention. Methods: A 3-day (2 weekdays and 1 weekend day) 24-hour (24-HRs) dietary recall was conducted to record details of participants’ food consumption. One-way analysis of variance (ANOVA) was applied to examine the influence of the identified demographic variables (including BMI, gender, major, family monthly income, and place of household registration) on the 8 food groups’ consumption. We analyzed the effect of the various demographic variables on sodium intake by the student’s t-test. The questionnaire, International Physical Activity Questionnaire (IPAQ)-Short Form, was utilized to assess participants’ physical activity (PA) level. The Wilcoxon-Mann-Whitney was applied to analyze participants’ physical activity. Results: Our research indicated participants consumed much fewer fruits and vegetables and excessive meats on average for both males and females regarding NCDs prevention. Conclusion: Participants’ dietary intake did not comply with the Chinese Dietary Guide-lines recommendation for chronic diseases prevention. Nutrition knowledge and health education are needed for college students. .

Associated Risk Factors of Non-Communicable Disease in Three Sites across Ivory Coast: An Urban (Cocody), Peri-Urban (Abobo) and Rural (Yocoboué) Area

Introduction: The prevalence of Non-communicable diseases (NCDs) has increased so it’s becoming a global public health problem. This problem is also threatening in Sub-Sahara Africa (SSA) country including Ivory Coast. Ivory Coast is a country of 22.6 million people experiencing rapid economic development and social change. All development is typically associated with an increase in non-communicable disease (NCD) risk factors. Our study aimed to determine the prevalence and associated factors of the major risk factors of NCDs among the population of Cocody, Abobo and Yocoboué in the Ivory Coast. Methods: A descriptive and analytical cross-sectional study was conducted and involved 1146 adults of 19 to 60 years from general population in Cocody (urban), Abob (peri-urban) and Yocoboué (rural). The WHO STEPS risk factor survey has been changed a bit and was administered. it contains anthropometric and biochemical measures. Results: The prevalence of NCD risk factors was markedly different across the three sites particularly between urban (Cocody) and rural (Yocoboué) areas. The overall prevalence estimates of the risk factors were 15.2% for current smoking, 57.71% for harmful use of alcohol, 58.84% for low physical activity, 24.71% for sedentariness (sitting at least 7 h), 69.45% for skipping breakfast, 61% for having late dinner and 36% for snacking. Concerning biological risk factor we noticed 40.95% for Overweight/obesity, 52.96% for abdominal obesity, 14.61% for raised blood pressure, 23.37% for raised blood sugar and 18.51 low HDL-C. Being female has an important associated with an increased risk for having abdominal obesity (OR: 25.7) and being overweight or obese (OR: 11.3), suffering from hypertension increased with age, 30 - 39 years (OR 8.45), 40 - 49 years (OR 13.4) and 50 years and above (OR 24.6). Conclusion: Adult residents in the two (Urban and peri-urban) of three different areas are developing high-risk NCDs, particularly Cocody’s population. At the end, we observed among participants that the female gender, living in urban areas and clustering are the most concerned by non-communicable disease risk factors. To reach the goal, preventive and therapeutic interventions are needed among the targeted population.

Ayurveda daily regimen practices (Dinacharya): a scientific system model approach suitable as a quaternary prevention strategy for non-communicable diseases

Background:Non-communicable or lifestyle diseases replaced infectious diseases at the end of the 20th century as the primary burden of disease worldwide,marking the epidemiological transition.The industrial revolution and technological advancements,as well as packaged processed foods,have greatly affected lifestyle,causing adverse health effects through chronic,low-level,and systemic inflammation known as“metaflammation”.The main contributors to lifestyle-related diseases are poor eating habits,physical inactivity,poor posture,and a disturbed biological clock.The study on lifestyle changes indicates that comprehensive lifestyle changes can prevent disease and reverse the progression of diseases like diabetes,heart disease,stroke,prostatic cancer and breast cancer.The concept of disease prevention is getting wider acceptability owing credit to early disease detection,better treatment modalities and reduced financial implications.However,the possible harms of over-testing and over-medicalization have led to the propagation of Quaternary prevention strategies.Ayurveda,too propagates the principle of health preservation,promotion,and disease prevention,along with early diagnosis and holistic disease management strategies,incorporating dietary and lifestyle components such as Dinacharya(daily regimen practices),Ritucharya(seasonal regimen practice).This paper critically explores the scientific relevance behind these ascribed daily regimen practices(Dinacharya)and their suitability as a quaternary prevention strategy and presents it for dialogue and research to the scientific community.Method:The classical texts of Ayurveda and the internet search engines were explored with keywords of relevant terms such as“research”“benefit”and“role in health”combined with the Ayurveda daily regimen terms and their English equivalents as provided in brackets and their different combinations and permutations,along with net surfing and hand search.The relevant articles were stored and screened for relevance and the matter is presented systematically for scientific deliberation principal findings–Ayurveda recognized the temporal effects of chronobiological cycles on human health and accordingly devised the daily regimen schedule,delineating the principles for healthy living and harmonization.The daily regimen practices of Ayurveda like timely sleeping,waking up early in the morning,proper defecation,massage,exercise,occupation,social bonding,appropriate dietary practices,etc.adopt a system biology approach with synchronization of chronobiological cycles,mind-body integration,system performance,and epigenetics,apart from other possible approaches and have considerable scientific evidence for the effectiveness as a quaternary prevention strategy.Conclusion:The adoption of these practices in the daily routine may play a crucial role in health preservation and disease prevention at all levels of preventive domains.However,prospective large scale,long-duration randomized controlled trials are yet needed to scientifically further establish the validity of the same.

Prevalence of Risk Factors for Chronic Non-Communicable Diseases to the National Teaching Hospital “HKM” of Cotonou

Background: In 2008 Non-communicable diseases (NCDs) were responsible for 63% of deaths worldwide and 80% of these deaths occurred in developing countries. Four of them were responsible for more than 80% of mortality from NCDs, which were cardiovascular diseases, cancers, chronic respiratory diseases, and diabetes. They shared the same risk factors. Objective: To determine the prevalence of NCD risk factors in patients admitted to consult in the outpatient unit of the National Teaching Hospital of Cotonou. Patients and Methods: This was a transversal, descriptive and analytical study which took place from 15 June 2011 to 16 September 2011. It focused on 1000 subjects found after a recruitment of all patients coming to consult during the study period. The collection technique was a questionnaire followed by physical measures (weight, height, blood pressure and waist) and biological measures (fasting glucose and cholesterol). The data were analyzed with the software Epi-3.3.2 info. Results: The mainly prevalent behavioural risk factors were smoking (10.2%), alcohol consumption (60.3%), insufficient intake of fruits and vegetables (84.2%), and physical inactivity (57.6%). The prevalent physical risk factors were hypertension (47.4%), obesity (27.5%), and overweight (35.3%). The prevalent biological risk factors were diabetes (28.5%), and hypercholesterolemia (10.4%). The level of cardiovascular risk was higher than 40% in 81 people (8.1%). Conclusion: This study shows the importance of risk factors for NCDs in outpatient Unit in the National Teaching Hospital of Cotonou.

Impact of sepsis and non-communicable diseases on prognostic models to predict the outcome of hospitalized chronic liver disease patients

AIM To evaluate the impact of sepsis and non-communicable diseases(NCDs) on the outcome of decompensated chronic liver disease(CLD) patients.METHODSIn this cross-sectional study, medical records of patients with CLD admitted to the Gastroenterology unit at the Aga Khan University Hospital were reviewed.Patients older than 18 years with decompensation of CLD(i.e., jaundice, ascites,encephalopathy, and/or upper gastrointestinal bleed) as the primary reason for admission were included, while those who were admitted for reasons other than decompensation of CLD were excluded. Each patient was followed for 6 wk after index admission to assess mortality, prolonged hospital stay(> 5 d), and early readmission(within 7 d).RESULTS A total of 399 patients were enrolled. The mean age was 54.3 ± 11.7 years and64.6%(n = 258) were male. Six-week mortality was 13%(n = 52). Prolonged hospital stay and readmission were present in 18%(n = 72) and 7%(n = 28) of patients, respectively. NCDs were found in 47.4%(n = 189) of patients. Acute kidney injury, sepsis, and non-ST elevation myocardial infarction were found in41%(n = 165), 17.5%(n = 70), and 1.75%(n = 7) of patients, respectively. Upon multivariate analysis, acute kidney injury, non-ST elevation myocardial infarction, sepsis, and coagulopathy were found to be statistically significant predictors of mortality. While chronic kidney disease(CKD), low albumin, and high Model for End-Stage Liver Disease(MELD)-Na score were found to be statistically significant predictors of morbidity. Addition of sepsis in conventionalMELD score predicted mortality even better than MELD-Na(area under receiver operating characteristic: 0.735 vs 0.686; P < 0.001). Among NCDs, CKD was found to increase morbidity independently.CONCLUSION Addition of sepsis improved the predictability of MELD score as a prognostic marker for mortality in patients with CLD. Presence of CKD increases the morbidity of patients with CLD.

Clustering of Non-communicable Diseases Risk Factors in Healthy Adults Aged 35 Years and Older in Shenzhen,China

We assessed the prevalence of non‐ communicable diseases（NCDs） risk factors with a focus on their clustering among healthy adults in Shenzhen, China. Data from the 2011 China Health and Nutrition Survey, comprising a regionally representative sample of 806 healthy adults aged 35 years or older, were obtained to determine the prevalence of five risk factors for NCDs. The prevalence of current smoking, central obesity, impaired fasting glucose, borderline hypertension, and borderline high total cholesterol was 19.97%, 28.29%, 4.47%, 10.55%, and 36.10%, respectively. A total 63.77% of participants had at least one risk factor. Upon examination of risk factor clustering, we observed that 7.57% of participants had at least three risk factors. Using this threshold as a cutoff, clustering of risk factors was associated with sex [odds ratio（OR） = 3.336, 95% confidence interval（CI）： 1.782 to 6.246], physical activity（OR = 1.913, 95% CI： 1.009 to 3.628）, and BMI（OR = 7.376, 95% CI： 3.812 to 14.270）. The prevalence of risk factors for NCDs is fairly high among healthy adults in Shenzhen, with a clustering tendency.

The Road to Universal Health Coverage in Myanmar Runs through Non-Communicable Disease Risk Factors: Supporting Evidence from WHO in 2009 and 2014 and the Global Burden of Disease Study 2016

Background: The recent surge in economic development in Myanmar will also contribute to accelerating the health burden shift from acute infectious to chronic non-communicable diseases (NCDs) across the country. With just 11 years to achieve its goal of universal health coverage by the year 2030, significant efforts will be needed to quantify the scale of the burden facing decision-makers about health system strengthening and redevelopment. Convergence of the health systems will be an additional challenge in Myanmar. Methods: Results from a WHO study in 2009 and 2014, combined with data from the 2016 Global Burden of Disease Study, were compiled and analysed for Myanmar to assess the levels and trends of selected NCDs and NCD risk factors. Results: The prevalence of major NCDs in Myanmar are in general higher than global and regional averages, with a significant increase in diabetes mellitus and chronic obstructive pulmonary diseases in the last 25 years. Major NCD risk factors in Myanmar include smoking, use of smokeless tobacco, alcohol consumption among men, low level of fruit and vegetable consumption, hypertension, and emerging of overweight and obesity, especially among women. Tobacco use increased in both sexes between 2009 and 2014, but only significantly in men. Rates of hypertension increased for both men and women, including those currently on medications—suggesting a need for better treatment regimens. Overweight and obesity rates increased in both men and women, although the increase in obesity for men was not significant. Alcohol consumption results were mixed—with lower levels of high level drinking in men, but generally increased consumption by women. Intake of fruit and vegetables increased slightly between 2009 and 2014 and rates of high levels of physical activity also increased. Diabetes prevalence rates increased significantly in women (X2 = 11.3;p = 0.01) and men (X2 = 9.6;p = 0.02) between 2009 and 2014. Conclusions: Improved awareness of risk factors, coupled with early diagnosis and effective treatment of conditions and risks, is paramount to keeping the population healthy and economically active, and maintaining health care costs. Proven cost-effective interventions to prevent and control NCD-related risk factors, notably increasing tobacco taxes, should be endorsed and implemented in the population. Inaction could hamper the country’s effort to achieve universal health coverage by the year 2030.

Prevalence of Non-Communicable Diseases and Number of Comorbidities According to Differences in Household Income Levels in Japan: Analysis from National Health and Nutrition Survey

Though it has been reported that in Western developed countries socioeconomic status is associated with non-communicable diseases (NCD), there are sparse evidence from Japan, midst an income gap that has been pointed out in recent years. Therefore, we examined the presence or absence of NCD and the number of comorbidities according to household income in Japanese, using data from the National Health and Nutrition Survey of 2010. 1287 men and 1659 women aged 20 - 79 years from households at 3 income levels (<2, 2 - 5.9, ≥6 million yen) were analyzed. Participants completed questionnaires regarding whether they had been diagnosed with NCD, as well as undergoing clinical laboratory tests. Logistic regression analyses were used for statistical analysis with adjustment for age, gender, household size, and population of municipalities. The prevalences of participants with high, medium, and low income were 22.3%, 57.6%, and 20.2%, respectively. Participants with the lowest income had the highest odds of hypertension (OR [95% confidence interval (CI)] = 1.71 [1.29 - 2.26], p p = 0.041), and stroke (5.07 [2.04 - 12.60] p < 0.001). Additionally, prevalences of participants with 2 or 3 NCD (hypertension, diabetes, and hypercholesterolemia) were 15.0% and 33.0% in high and low income levels, respectively. A low income could contribute to a high prevalence of NCD and large number of comorbidities among Japanese. Establishing a health policy in Japan is needed to enable an optimal health condition and lifestyle regardless of socioeconomic disparities.

Burden of Non-Communicable Diseases at a Tertiary Care Hospital of Central Uttar-Pradesh: A Retrospective Study

Introduction: Non Communicable Diseases (NCD) has emerged as leading threat to mankind. It approximates to around 70% mortality burden worldwide. Its mortality burden is more in low & middle income countries. Most of the premature deaths from NCDs are attributed to modifiable risk factors. In Uttar Pradesh there has been a raise in prevalence of non-communicable diseases in the last two decades. Methodology: Mortality and morbidity data from 1st Jan 2014 to Dec 2016 was obtained from Medical Records Department, UPUMS, Saifai Etawah. The data, thus collected was analyzed by using SPSS 24. Results: Morbidity pattern in UPUMS Saifai reported Blindness and cardiovascular disease (CVD) was leading cause of admission and was increasing year after year. Road traffic acid (RTA), Stroke and CVD were the leading causes of mortality in last 3 years among the patients admitted in tertiary care hospital UPUMS, Saifai, Etawah, U.P., India. Conclusion: Even in rural area prevalence of NCD is at raising trend. RTA, CVD and Stroke were leading causes of death even in rural area.

The challenge of combatting non-communicable diseases in Trinidad: Access to hospital care

Chronic illnesses, or non-communicable diseases (NCDs), account for a growing number of deaths worldwide. The English-speaking Caribbean has the highest per capita burden of NCDs in the region of the Americas [1]. This paper presents an overview of hospital availability on the island of Trinidad in the West Indies and examines rates of NCDs as reported in hospital discharge summaries. The project integrates a Geographic Information System (GIS) with epidemiologic and bio-statistical data to provide essential spatial analysis not otherwise possible. It examines the island’s ability to effectively deliver treatment to residents with NCDs by providing a geographic perspective to public data published on the internet by the Trinidad-Tobago Ministry of Health and the Central Statistical Office. The study reveals a significant variability in several dimensions of access to health care.

Sustaining Increase in Life Expectancy in Africa Requires Active Preventive Measures against Non-Communicable Diseases

It is projected that aged population (≥60 years) will continue to increase globally, including in Africa. This is due to reduced population growth, decreased fecundity and improved medical interventions;factors which increase life expectancy. While this is typical for developed countries, it is not the same for Africa and similar developing regions. In these regions, a significant proportion of death is due to non-communicable diseases (NCD’s) such as hypertension, cerebrovascular accident, coronary heart disease, diabetes mellitus, chronic renal disease and cancer, among others. Rising prevalence of NCD’s due mainly to western style diets and sedentary living is made worse by inadequate nutrition education, high prevalence of low birth weight, poor health services, lack of efficient tobacco control and deficient planning of built environment. In order to halt the possible reduction in life expectancy occasioned by NCD’s, efforts by the community, health planners and governments in Africa to address relevant NCD’s, must be put in place. Suggested measures are: nutrition education, regular community directed physical exercise, improved environmental planning and development. Others are review of present health service model, early detection, prevention and treatment of NCD’s, including improved antenatal care to reduce low birth weights, and establishment of policies and measures that decreased access to tobacco especially by women of childbearing age. Africa and similar developing regions cannot fund the health bill due to NCD’s and their complications;hence it is important that this scourge is attended to with all seriousness.

Chronic Non-Communicable Diseases in College Students in the Brazilian Western Amazon Region

The objective of this study was to analyze the prevalence of chronic non-communicable diseases (CNCDs) and associated lifestyle factors in college students in Rio Branco, Acre, Brazilian Western Amazon region. A cross-sectional study was conducted in 874 undergraduate students from a public university. The general prevalence of CNCDs was 15.6%. After adjusting for sex and age, the CNCD-associated lifestyle factors included the following: sedentary during leisure time (prevalence ratio (PR): 1.67;95% confidence interval (CI): 1.12 - 2.48), sedentary in locomotion by walking (PR: 1.34;95% CI: 1.00 - 1.79), current smoker (PR: 1.66;95% CI: 1.07 - 2.58), unsatisfactory self-rated health status (PR: 2.31;95% CI: 1.84 - 2.88), overweight (PR: 1.67;95% CI: 1.14 - 2.46) and obese (PR: 3.30;95% CI: 2.18 - 5.01). The high prevalence of CNCDs identified in this group of college students highlights the need for swift action to promote healthy lifestyles among youth.

Prevalence of Tobacco Use and Associated Factors among Adults in Benin in 2015: Results of the National Survey of Non-Communicable Disease Risk Factors

Introduction: Tobacco use and exposure to tobacco smoke are one of the most preventable causes of death and disability worldwide. The risk is even higher among daily tobacco consumers. The World Health Organization (WHO) recommended that surveillance of major risk factors for non- communicable diseases (NCDs), such as smoking, be imperative to predicting the future burden of NCDs, identifying adequate interventions to decrease future burden and monitor trends. In 2015, a survey on NCD risk factors was conducted in Benin to estimate the prevalence of major NCD risk factors. We analyzed the data from this survey to estimate the prevalence and risk factors associated with daily tobacco consumption in Benin. Methods: A nationwide representative sample of the population was constituted in the 12 departments of Benin. The WHO STEPS wise tool was used to collect data on behavioral and demographic characteristics, including daily tobacco consumption. Tobacco consumption was subdivided into three categories: The daily consumption of tobacco, the daily consumption of smoked tobacco and non-smoked tobacco. Multivariate analysis through the weighted logistic regression was used to identify potential factors associated with daily consumption of tobacco. Results: Over the 5.126 surveyed subjects, 7.49% were daily tobacco consumers, with 3.85% being daily users of smoked tobacco and 4.36% being daily consumers of non-smoked tobacco. Men were more likely to be daily consumers of tobacco compared to women (OR = 7.42;95%CI = [4.98;11.06]). Compared to respondents aged 18 to 24, those aged 45 to 54 were five times more likely to consume tobacco (OR = 5.58;95%IC = [2.71;11.47]). Respondents residing in the departments of Atacora, Couffo and Borgou were respectively 4.28 times, 3.93 times and 2.63 times more likely to consume tobacco compared to those residing in the department of Alibori. Respondents with no education were more likely to consume tobacco daily compared to respondents who had finished high school or were in university (OR = 3.73;95%CI = [1.36;10.23]. Respondents who were overweight were less likely to be daily users of tobacco compared to people with normal weight status (OR = 0.57;95%CI = [0.34;0.96]). Conclusion: There is a relatively high prevalence of smoking in Benin, where one out of 8 people, consumes tobacco products daily. Being elderly, male, having no formal education, residing in Atacora, Borgou or Couffo were significantly associated with daily smoking. Prevention actions should thus target those sub-groups of the population.

Behavioral Risk Factors for Chronic Non-Communicable Diseases in Adults and Elderly People in the City of Ribeirão Preto—SP

Aims: to analyze the presence and simultaneity of behavioral risk factors for chronic non-communicable disease (NCD) in adults and the elderly. Methods: quantitative, cross-sectional and observational study. Healthy and unhealthy eating are classified according to the frequency of food consumption. Smoking is expressed by the percentage of smokers. Harmful alcohol consumption by the percentage of individuals who consumed alcoholic beverages at least once in the last 30 days. Classification of the level of physical inactivity required to practice at least 150 minutes of physical activity. Results: the sample constituted 719 people, 535 adults and 184 elderly. The behavioral risk factor reported by most adults 499 (93.3%) and elderly 156 (84.8%) was unhealthy eating. Frequency 72% higher of smoking, four times higher of harmful alcohol consumption and 10% higher of unhealthy food among adults when compared to the elderly. The simultaneity between risk factors was 39% greater in adults than in the elderly. Discussion: risk factors evaluated in this study are key aspects of the development of NCDs. Adults have 2.43 times the chance of presenting two risk factors and 7.73 times the chance of presenting three in relation to the elderly. Conclusion: To achieve more effective and differentiated results, knowing and directing measures to control behavioral risk factors, whether isolated or concurrent, requires specific knowledge.

Fighting obesity and non-communicable diseases needs different perspectives and new actions

1.Introduction Obesity and non-communicable diseases(NCDs)are closely linked.NCDs,including heart disease,stroke,cancer,diabetes and chronic lung disease,are major disease burden worldwide,which collectively con-tributed to 71%of mortality globally.1 Almost three quarters of all NCD deaths,and 82%of the 16 million people who died prematurely(un-der 70 years old),occur in low-and middle-income countries.1 Obesity is associated with increased risks of many NCDs and premature death.Obesity is a major risk factors for some NCDs such as cardiovascular diseases,some cancers and type 2 diabetes.

Wonca关于非传染性疾病(Non-Communicable Diseases,NCDs)的几点建议

1更多的考虑健康,而不是疾病在疾病预防的研究及服务方面投入的资源太少。一味地专注于疾病本身的思维定势令制定有效的防病措施难上加难。 2对基本医疗和精神/行为健康给予更多支持对NCDs来说,大多数诊断和临床治疗属基本医疗保健范畴。