Prevalence of behavioural risk factors for non-communicable diseases among adults in Kerala, India

Sugathan Thattaruparambil, Centre for Survey Research and Management Services
CR Soman, Health Action by People
K Sankaranarayanan, Center for Survey Research and Management Services, Kerala
Simi Elias, Center for Survey Research and Management Services, Kerala

ABSTRACT SHORT Background: The main purpose of the present study is focusing on the level of various behavioural risk factors (BRF) for non-communicable diseases prevalent in one of the southern states of India, Kerala. Objectives: 1. Estimate the prevalence of various BRF and 2. Determine its association with biosocial factors. Method: The study is based on 5494 individuals of age 30 to 74 years, randomly selected following a stratified two-stage cluster sampling design. Various behavioural risk factors were investigated. Results: The prevalence of smoking and alcohol consumption were substantially very high among males and almost nil among females. Other risk factors were also substantially high both among males and females in both rural and urban areas. Conclusion: The study brought out substantially high level of risk factors, especially smoking and alcohol consumption among males, which require urgent attention on the part of the public health officials.