Prevalence and Risk Factors of Diabetes, Hypertension and Other Non-Communicable Diseases in a Tribal Population in South India

INTRODUCTION: The prevalence of non-communicable diseases is increasing in tribal areas of India owing to the development and adoption of modern lifestyle. This study was done to assess the prevalence and risk factors of obesity, diabetes and hypertension in a tribal area in South India. MATERIALS AND METHODS: A cross-sectional study was conducted among all men and women 40 years and above in ten randomly selected villages in three village panchayats located in a hilly area in Vellore district, Tamil Nadu. Minimum sample size calculated was 370. Data collection was done using a pretested questionnaire, clinical examination, and capillary blood glucose measurement. Prevalence and 95% confidence interval were estimated for diabetes and hypertension. By univariate and multivariate logistic regression, the Odds Ratio was calculated to identify the risk factors. SPSS version 16.0 was used. A value of P < 0.05 was considered statistically significant. RESULTS: The study included 502 subjects, 212 (42.2%) males and 290 (57.8%) females. The proportion of generalized and abdominal obesity was 21% and 36.5%. The prevalence of diabetes and hypertension among the tribal population was 7.4% and 36.5%. Approximately 62% of diabetes and 68% of hypertension were newly diagnosed during this study. Higher age, female sex, generalized and abdominal obesity, and diabetes were risk factors for hypertension and abdominal obesity and hypertension were risk factors for diabetes. CONCLUSION: The prevalence of diabetes and hypertension is high with two-thirds being newly diagnosed during study in this tribal population mandating early screening, awareness campaigns for early health-seeking and improvement in health access.