Prevalence of Congenital Anomalies and Non-Communicable Diseases in Women of Age 12-75 Years in District Bhimber, Azad Jammu and Kashmir, Pakistan

BACKGROUND: The advancement in the healthcare systems, stringent interventions for infectious diseases and improved diet has significantly shifted the patterns of morbidities, and consequently hereditary and congenital anomalies (CA) and non-communicable diseases (NCDs) have emerged as the most common causes of morbidity and mortality. In Pakistan, there is no systematic health surveillance system to assess the impact of such diseases particularly on the young and adult populations. METHODS: In order to glean into the health and morbidity profile of Azad Jammu and Kashmir we have carried out an epidemiological study in Bhimber District in the north-east of Pakistan. A total of 1,731 female subjects of age 12-75 yr originating from Bhimber were recruited through a cross-sectional study. RESULTS: There were 74 cases (and 15 types) of CA with a prevalence estimate of 42.75/1,000. CA was significantly higher in subjects who were illiterate and married, speaking Pahari language and belonged to rural areas and nuclear families. Additionally, there were 104 cases (and 21 types) of NCDs (prevalence 60.08/1,000). NCDs were observed to have higher prevalence in subjects who were illiterate and married, speaking Punjabi language, and belonged to higher age groups and nuclear families. CONCLUSION: This study explores the types and dynamics of morbidity across the major socio-demographic parameters of adult females of Bhimber and would be helpful in estimating the impact of morbidity in this population. A comprehensive country-wide study is the need of the time to identify specific risk factors associated with certain morbidity types and help prioritize areas for interventions.