FREQUENCIES OF NON-COMMUNICABLE DISEASES IN RURAL AND URBAN POPULATIONS IN TWO DISTRICTS OF PUNJAB, PAKISTAN

Abstract

OBJECTIVE: The objective of this study was to have an idea about the comparative frequency of non-communicable diseases in both rural and urban populations of Central Punjab, Pakistan.

METHODS: Data were collected from a representative sample of 1000 patients reporting in public and private clinics/hospitals of Faisalabad and Sargodha. The following parameters were studied: ischemic heart disease, hypertension (B.P.>140/90), diabetes (plasma glucose of 126mg/dL or higher after overnight fast or plasma glucose of 200mg/dL or more, two hours after meals). These parameters were compared and analyzed regarding gender, age and social background.

RESULT: The results showed a lot of variation.Out of 1000 cases, 420 patients were from the rural areas of different ages and gender, while the rest were from the urban community. Out of the total, 632 were males and 368 were females. Significantly higher frequencies of all 4 diseases were observed in rural population (especially middle aged males) as compared to urban population.

CONCLUSION:Frequency of Ischemic heart disease, Diabetes mellitus,Hypertension, Tobacco smoking and lack of physical activity is higher in rural areas mostly age between 41-50 years. This study directed the future researches to be conducted in this context so as to establish guidelines on preventive strategies against NCDs for the developing countries.