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The 13th World Conference on Tobacco OR Health
Building capacity for a tobacco-free world
July 12-15, 2006, Washington, DC, USA
Objective: To demonstrate that tobacco smoking coexists in clusters with other risk factors for non-communicable diseases.Pakistan is in the phase of epidemiological transition with rising burden of non-communicable diseases. Lifestyle factors such as smoking and passive smoking unhealthy diet, physical inactivity, anxiety and depression, increases the risk for developing noncommunicable diseases.
Methods: In a household survey, using structured questionnaire, information was obtained to assess lifestyle risk factors (smoking and passive smoking, unhealthy diet, physical inactivity, anxiety and depression,)
Results: Among 534 adults (25-65 years),in a defined community of Karachi, Pakistan. Overall, 44% of adults had at least one, 30% had two, 18% had three and 5% had four lifestyle risk factors for non-communicable diseases. Overall, 40% of the respondents were exposed to passive smoking and this exposure is slightly higher among men however the difference was not significant statistically (Men: 42% versus Women: 38%; p = 0.38; OR = 1.2 95% CI: 0.8 – 1.7). Ten percent of the respondents in the study were current smokers. This study shows that majority of the adults had lifestyle risk factors for non-communicable diseases and clustering of these factors is common. Passive smoking was prominent and needs attention. The findings suggest for public health practitioners and clinicians to address these factors with integrated approach to prevent and delay the onset of developing non-communicable diseases.