title: The prevalence and distribution of non-communicable diseases and their risk factors in Kasese district, Uganda.
abstract: BACKGROUND
  To date there has been no population-based survey of the major risk factors for non-communicable diseases (NCD) in Uganda. Hospital-based data from urban centres report an increasing burden of NCDs in Uganda. This population-based survey aimed to describe the prevalence of risk factors for NCDs in a rural Ugandan district.
  
  
  METHODS
  The survey was conducted using the WHO STEPwise approach to surveillance of non-communicable diseases (STEPS) methodology. Participants (n = 611) were residents of the Kasese district selected in a one-step, complete survey of a rural district. Standardised international protocols were used to record history of disease, and measure behavioural risk factors (smoking, alcohol consumption, fruit and vegetable consumption, physical activity), physical characteristics [weight, height, waist and hip circumferences, blood pressure (BP)], fasting blood glucose (BG) and total cholesterol (TC) levels. Data were analysed using simple descriptive analysis.
  
  
  RESULTS
  In this sample, the prevalence of hypertension (systolic BP ≥ 140 mmHg and/or diastolic BP ≥ 90 mmHg) was 22.1% for men and 20.5% for women. Fifteen per cent of men and 16.8% of women were overweight [body mass index (BMI) ≥ 25 kg/m(2)] and 4.9% of men and 9.0% of women were obese (BMI ≥ 30 kg/m(2)). Nine per cent of participants were diabetic, 7.2% ate five or more combined servings of fruit per day while only 1.2% ate five or more combined servings of vegetables per day. Fifty-one per cent of the population were physically inactive and 9.6% were daily smokers. Thirty-one per cent of females had fasting blood sugar levels (FBS) ≥ 6.1 mmol/l while 10% of males had FBS > 6.1 mmol/l.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  This study presents evidence on the magnitude of NCDs, their risk factors and gender distribution in a rural population in Uganda, a poor country in east-central Africa. These data, when combined with urban population data, could be useful in the formulation and advocacy of NCD policy and plans of action in Uganda.
authors.affiliation: Department of Medicine, College of Health Sciences, Makerere University, Kampala, Uganda. do2011@gmail.com
authors.forename: Charles Kiiza
authors.initials: CK
authors.lastname: Mondo
authors.forename: Marcel Andrew
authors.initials: MA
authors.lastname: Otim
authors.forename: George
authors.initials: G
authors.lastname: Akol
authors.forename: Robert
authors.initials: R
authors.lastname: Musoke
authors.forename: Jackson
authors.initials: J
authors.lastname: Orem
mesh_terms: D000328:Adult; D003430:Cross-Sectional Studies; D003906:Developing Countries; D003920:Diabetes Mellitus / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000453:epidemiology*; D004032:Diet / Q000009:adverse effects; D005260:Female; D006306:Health Surveys; D006801:Humans; D006973:Hypertension / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000453:epidemiology*; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D009765:Obesity / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000453:epidemiology*; D010865:Pilot Projects; D015995:Prevalence; D012307:Risk Factors; D012423:Rural Health; D057185:Sedentary Behavior; D017678:Sex Distribution; D012737:Sex Factors; D012907:Smoking / Q000453:epidemiology; D014454:Uganda / Q000453:epidemiology