Prevalence of Risk Factors of Non-Communicable Diseases in the Sultanate of Oman: STEPS Survey 2017

Abstract

<jats:title>Abstract</jats:title> <jats:p><jats:bold>Background </jats:bold>Non-Communicable Diseases (NCD) represent a major public health issue and currently are the cause of 71% of deaths globally and 72% deaths in Oman. Hence, there is a need for comprehensive, up-to-date and internationally comparable data on NCD risk factors in order to evaluate the effectiveness of ongoing public health policies and to develop further NCD prevention and control interventions. The aim of the study was to provide evidence-based, up-to-date, extensive, and reliable baseline data on the behavioural and biological risk factors of NCDs in the Sultanate of Oman. <jats:bold>Methods </jats:bold>A cross‐sectional community‐based survey designed to be nationally representative of the Sultanate of Oman was conducted based on the WHO STEPwise approach to Surveillance (STEPS). Multi-stage stratified random sampling according to geographical distribution selected a total of 9053 households (Omani nationals and non-Omani residents). Cluster sampling was used and symmetric equal number of blocks were chosen in each governorate with 823 households chosen from each governorate and one eligible adult selected from each household randomly. The survey used demographic and behavioural information questionnaires along with physical and biochemical measurements among adults aged 18 years and above. <jats:bold>Results </jats:bold>The prevalence of behavioural risk factors such as tobacco use was 9%, alcohol consumption was 2%, insufficient fruit or vegetable intake was 61%, and insufficient physical activity was 39%. The prevalence of biological risk factors such as overweight and obesity was 66%, raised blood pressure was 33%, raised blood glucose was 16%, and raised blood cholesterol was 36%. The prevalence of multiple risk factors was also determined and 95% of the population were found to have more than one risk factor. Three or more risk factors were found among 33% of population aged 18 years and above and 45% of the population aged 45 years and above. <jats:bold>Conclusions </jats:bold>These findings are important to support the formulation and implementation of NCD-related policies and action plans that improve health status and prevent mortality due to NCDs in the Sultanate of Oman.</jats:p>

Prevalence and risk factors of diabetes in a large community-based study in the Sultanate of Oman: STEPS survey 2017

“…In this present study, the prevalence of diabetes and prediabetes is slighter higher (though not significant) in females than in males as opposed to other studies globally which show a higher prevalence among males as compared to females [ 19 , 21 , 22 ]. Our results are corroborated by higher prevalence of overweight and obesity found among females than males in the survey [ 8 ]. Our results show that one third of the population with DM are under the age of 50.…”

“…Briefly, and as previously described in the STEPS survey 2017 main paper [ 8 ], a nation-wide non-communicable disease (NCD) risk factor survey based on WHO STEPwise approach to chronic disease surveillance was undertaken in all the governorates (regions) in the Sultanate of Oman from January 2017 to April 2017. The survey adopted a multi-stage stratified, geographically clustered random sampling approach using the 2010 national census sampling frame.…”

“…A culturally adapted, Arabic translated, and pre-tested version of the WHO STEPS questionnaire (version 3.1) was used [ 8 , 9 ]. As part of the household survey, sociodemographic and behavioural information on tobacco use, diet, physical activity, history of chronic diseases, family history of chronic conditions was collected in Step 1.…”

The sociodemographic determinants of non-communicable diseases among the adult population of Dubai: self-reported data from Dubai household health survey, 2019

“…Furthermore, our results reveal that a number of non-modi able risk factors are associated with chronic diseases in this population. The high crude prevalence (15%) of chronic diseases found in this survey is in line with what has been reported previously across Arabian Gulf countries [19][20][21][22]. Because of logistical challenges, objective measures of chronic diseases did not provide adequate data for analysis.…”

“…Age has been found to be signi cantly associated with non-communicable diseases in many published studies in the UAE [27][28][29]. Other studies in the region have revealed similar ndings related to the association of age with non-communicable diseases [19][20][21]30]. The explanation for this observation is the cumulative effect of non-communicable diseases over time as well as the degenerative process combined with aging leading to and contributing to the development of different types of chronic diseases.…”