Risk factors for noncommunicable diseases in Lithuanian rural population: CINDI survey 2007.
The aim of the study was to assess the risk profile for noncommunicable diseases in Lithuanian rural population.


METHODS
Within CINDI program, the risk factor survey was carried out in five rural regions of Lithuania in random sample of population aged 25-64 years in 2007. The risk factors were defined according to the WHO criteria. A total of 1739 participants were enrolled in the study.


RESULTS
The prevalence of hypertension was considerably higher among men than among women (60.3% and 44.6%, respectively). Hypercholesterolemia was identified in half of examined persons with no gender difference. The proportion of obese female persons was greater than male. Metabolic syndrome was diagnosed in 15.1% of men and in 21.5% of women. The significant gender difference was observed in the prevalence of regular smoking (47.5% in men and 18.1% in women) as well as risky alcohol consumption (26.7% of men and 3.1% of women). The majority of rural population was lacking leisure-time physical activity. The prevalence of hypertension, hypercholesterolemia, obesity, and metabolic syndrome was increasing with age in both men and women. Regular smoking and risky alcohol consumption were more common among younger than older population. Leisure-time physical activity tended to increase with age.


CONCLUSIONS
The prevalence of risk factors for noncommunicable diseases in Lithuanian rural population is high. The obtained data prove that comprehensive and intersectorial preventive actions aimed at the reduction in the risk of noncommunicable diseases are urgently needed in Lithuania.
Grabauskas
Vilius
V
Institute for Biomedical Research, Kaunas University of Medicine, Eiveniu 4, 50009 Kaunas, Lithuania. jurklumb@vector.kmu.lt.
Klumbiene
Jūrate
J
Petkeviciene
Janina
J
Petrauskiene
Ausra
A
Tamosiūnas
Abdonas
A
Kriaucioniene
Vilma
V
Ramazauskiene
Vitalija
V
D000328:Adult; D000367:Age Factors; D000368:Aged; D000428:Alcohol Drinking / Q000453:epidemiology; D003627:Data Interpretation, Statistical; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D006937:Hypercholesterolemia / Q000453:epidemiology*; D006973:Hypertension / Q000453:epidemiology*; D007899:Leisure Activities; D008097:Lithuania / Q000453:epidemiology; D008297:Male; D024821:Metabolic Syndrome / Q000453:epidemiology*; D008875:Middle Aged; D009765:Obesity / Q000453:epidemiology*; D015995:Prevalence; D012307:Risk Factors; D012424:Rural Population; D012737:Sex Factors; D012907:Smoking / Q000453:epidemiology; D014944:World Health Organization