Prevalence of non-communicable diseases by age, gender and nationality in publicly funded primary care settings in Qatar

BACKGROUND: In Qatar, as with other countries, non-communicable diseases (NCDs) have been the leading cause of death. This study aims to describe the prevalence of four NCDs clusters (cardiovascular diseases (coronary heart disease, stroke and peripheral vascular disease), cancers, chronic obstructive pulmonary diseases (COPD) and type 2 diabetes (T2DM)) by age, gender and nationality (Qataris and non-Qataris) accessing publicly funded primary care services to inform healthcare planning and strategies. METHODS: Cross-sectional study design was used. Data for individuals aged ≥18 and who visited a publicly funded primary health centre in Qatar during 2017 were extracted from electronic medical records and analysed. RESULTS: The findings showed that approximately 16.2 % of the study population (N = 68 421) had one or more of the four NCDs. The prevalence of NCDs showed an increasing trend with increasing age. Highest increases in the prevalence of NCDs were seen in a relatively young age group (30–49 years). The prevalence of all NCDs except cancers was higher in men. Prevalence rates of CHD and cancers in the study were found to be similar in both Qataris and non-Qataris; however, COPD and T2DM rates were higher in Qataris compared with non-Qataris. T2DM accounted for the highest prevalence of any NCD among both Qataris (230/1000) and non-Qataris (183/1000). CONCLUSIONS: Although not comprehensive and nationally representative, this study is suggestive of a higher prevalence of NCDs among a younger population, men and in Qatari, Western Asian, Southern Asian, Sub-Saharan Africans, South-Eastern Asians Northern African and Western European nationalities. Prevention, treatment and control of NCDs and their risk factors are a public health problem in Qatar, and resources need to be invested towards targeted interventions with a multisectoral approach.