Preventable Lifestyle Risk Factors for Non-Communicable Diseases in the Pakistan Adolescents Schools Study 1 (PASS-1).
10.3961/jpmph.2011.44.5.210
- Author:
Ali Khan KHUWAJA
1
;
Saleem KHAWAJA
;
Komal MOTWANI
;
Adeel Akbar KHOJA
;
Iqbal Syed AZAM
;
Zafar FATMI
;
Badar Sabir ALI
;
Muhammad Masood KADIR
Author Information
1. Department of Family Medicine, Aga Khan University, Karachi, Pakistan. ali.khuwaja@aku.edu
- Publication Type:Original Article
- Keywords:
Adolescents;
Non-communicable diseases;
Preventable lifestyle risk factors
- MeSH:
Adolescent;
Female;
Humans;
*Life Style;
Logistic Models;
Male;
Motor Activity;
Odds Ratio;
Pakistan;
Questionnaires;
Risk Factors;
Schools;
Smoking/*prevention & control;
Tobacco, Smokeless
- From:Journal of Preventive Medicine and Public Health
2011;44(5):210-217
- CountryRepublic of Korea
- Language:English
-
Abstract:
OBJECTIVES: The rising burden of preventable risk factors for non-communicable diseases (NCDs) among adolescents is a major public health challenge worldwide. We identified the preventable risk factors for NCDs in adolescents. METHODS: In a school-based study, pre-tested structured questionnaires were completed by 414 adolescents (14 to 17 years) at six schools in three cities in Pakistan. The chi-squared test and adjusted odds ratio (aOR) with 95% confidence interval (CI) were calculated in a multinomial logistic regression analysis. RESULTS: Over 80% of the adolescents had unhealthy diets, and 54% were physically inactive. Most adolescents were exposed to passive smoking, and 14% were also current smokers. More than one-third of participants chewed betel nut, and one-quarter used oral tobacco. More girls were physically inactive (OR, 4.07; 95% CI, 2.69 to 6.17), whereas a greater proportion of boys were current smokers (OR, 2.17; 95% CI, 1.19 to 3.91), exposed to passive smoking (OR, 2.57; 95% CI, 1.72 to 3.83), and using betel nut (OR, 2.03; 95% CI, 1.34 to 3.06). Only 3.1% of the participants were without any preventable lifestyle risk factor for NCDs, and over 80% had > or =2 factors. Co-existence of risk factors was independently associated with fathers being blue-collar workers (aOR, 3.57; 95% CI, 1.07 to 11.92) and parents not treating their child fairly (aOR, 5.05; 95% CI, 1.29 to 19.78). CONCLUSIONS: Most of the adolescents studied had preventable risk factors for NCDs. These results warrant comprehensive and integrated interventions to prevent lifestyle risk factors, and parents are front-line stakeholders.
