Risks of cancer, diabetes, heart ailments absent only in 1.3pc, finds medical survey
Almost 99 percent Bangladesh people aged above 25 years has been exposed to at least one of three chronic diseases — cancer, diabetes and heart ailments — due to ‘unhealthy’ lifestyle.
A most recent medical survey reveals the alarming situation, saying that the percentage of adults free from the risks of being inflicted with any of these diseases is only 1.3.
About one-fifth (19 percent exactly) of the country’s grownup population is facing the risk factors of three or more diseases, finds the survey conducted by a body of medical professionals.
Accordingly, thirty percent people are considered vulnerable to one of what is called non-communicable diseases and 50 percent to two of such diseases.
“Most of the major risk factors of non-communicable diseases are related to lifestyle. A healthy way of life can prevent them significantly,” Dr AKM Jafar Ullah, a programme manager at Directorate General of Health Services (DGHS), said explaining the situation.
An unhealthy lifestyle means lower level of physical labour, poor intake of fruits and vegetables, and consumption of tobacco and alcohol, according to the survey report, which is yet to be made public.
The ‘National Survey on NCD Risk Factors 2010’, the first of its kind, covered as samples a total of 9,275 people from 62 districts. It was carried out, by Bangladesh Society of Medicine with assistance from the World Health Organisation (WHO), between December 2009 and April 2010.
The survey report confirms the country’s epidemiological transition from communicable diseases to non-communicable diseases.
More than 150,000 people reportedly die of cancer every year. About 1.2 million people are sufferings from cancer, according to International Agency of Research on Cancer.
Around 5.7 million people are also believed to have been suffering from diabetes. The cardiovascular diseases have appeared as the leading cause of mortality in Bangladesh.
Worldwide, these diseases caused almost 60 percent of all deaths in 2005 and the rate rose 17 percent in the past 10 years.
The medical survey report recommends reorientation of the national healthcare system to prevent the diseases.
More than 60 percent adults are not engaged in required level of physical works making them exposed to obesity, one of the causes of diabetes, according to the study findings.
Also, above 51 percent adults are found to have been using tobacco inviting risk of diseases for them. Use of tobacco includes smoking, consuming sadapata (dried tobacco leaf), gul (powered tobacco) and jarda (minced tobacco).
“Tobacco consumption is staggeringly high even after five years of Tobacco Control Act,” observes the report recommending enforcement of law and taxing tobacco users to control tobacco use.
However, the percentage of people engaged in consumption of alcohol ranges from only 0.8 percent to 1.6 percent, shows the survey report.
A 2002 report of the WHO, too, identified tobacco use, unhealthy diet, obesity, physical inactivity and alcohol use as the possible risk factors of such diseases.
These diseases have by this time stood 61 percent of the country’s total burden of diseases, Dr Mostafa Zaman, national professional officer of the UN body, told daily sun.
Dr Shah Ehsan Habib, associate professor of Sociology Department at Dhaka University, said the people’s mental stress is increasing due to impacts of globalisation, use of technology, excessive consumption and changes in social structure, causing the diseases of affluence.
“Treatment with is not a solution to the problem. We must get rid of unhealthy competition in every sector, enjoy tranquillity and take vegetables and fruits instead of consuming junk foods,” he said.
The 2010 survey has been aimed at providing essential information on key indicators of the risk factors and making recommendations for policymakers, programme managers and researchers for necessary interventions.
“This is the first-ever survey of such kind in Bangladesh. It will help policymakers to take steps to address the issue,” said Dr Md Mujibur Rahman, the lead researcher and a professor at Shaheed Suhrawardy Medical College and Hospital.
He advocated an aggressive campaign for making public awareness and preventive measures for improving the situation.
Courtesy of Daily Sun
