Lemma, Seblewengel (2007) Assessment of Risk Factors for Selected Chronic Diseases among Higher Education Students in Addis Ababa. Masters thesis, Addis Ababa University.
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Abstract
Background: The health system in developing countries, such as Ethiopia, is overwhelmed by infectious diseases and malnutrition. However, the growing burden of diet and lifestyle related chronic diseases have recently been recognized with its contribution to the double burden on diseases in these countries. Objective: The study was designed to assess the prevalence of common risk factors for chronic diseases among regular higher education students in Addis Ababa in 2007. Methods: This study is an institution-based cross sectional survey that employed cluster sampling method. The WHO STEPS questionnaire was administered to collect data on sociodemographic characteristics, behavioral risk factors, and selected physical measurements, such as blood pressure, weight, height, waist and hip circumference. Results: Prevalence of current cigarettes smoking was 9.5% in male and 3.4% in females. About 44% of participants reported alcohol consumption in 12 months prior to the survey, while 6.8% reported binge type of alcohol drinking. The prevalence of current khat chewing was 13.8% and 13.3% were daily khat users. Almost 99% of participants reported inadequate fruit and vegetable consumption, and 21% of participants added salt on their plate while they are eating their meal. About 31.6% of males and 47.8% of females were physically inactive or reported inadequate level of physical activity related to work, transport or leisure time. The overall prevalence of overweight or obesity was 5.5%, with 4.2% in males and 7.6% in females. Hypertension was detected in 10.4% of males and 6.7% of females. Adjusting to other variables, age, friend's history of smoking, current khat chewing and binge drinking were positively associated with current cigarette smoking status. Male sex, urban residence, friends' and father's khat consumption history were positively associated with current khat consumption. Sex, years of stay in college, living arrangement, and BMI were predictors of both systolic and diastolic blood pressure of the participants. Conclusion and recommendations: Inadequate consumption of fruits and vegetables, along with physical inactivity, are widely prevalent risk factors of chronic diseases among collegestudents in Addis Ababa. Moreover, khat chewing, cigarette smoking, and alcohol consumption are common practice among the study population. The college, as a continuation of the high school, is a favorable (breading) environment for adoption and proliferation of substance use behavior. At the same time, it offers an opportunity for promotion of healthy life style and prevention of the risky behavior. The school administrative and members of the academic community should be aware of the prevailing situation and its potential consequences in order to curb the problem.
| Item Type: | Thesis (Masters) |
|---|---|
| Subjects: | R Medicine > RA Public aspects of medicine > RA0421 Public health. Hygiene. Preventive Medicine R Medicine > RJ Pediatrics > RJ101 Child Health. Child health services |
| Divisions: | Africana |
| Depositing User: | Emmanuel Ndorimana |
| Date Deposited: | 12 Jul 2018 12:01 |
| Last Modified: | 12 Jul 2018 12:01 |
| URI: | http://thesisbank.jhia.ac.ke/id/eprint/7436 |
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