Patterns of Non-Communicable Disease, Multimorbidity, and Population Awareness in Bahir Dar, Northwest Ethiopia: A Cross-Sectional Study

Abstract

Objective

Ethiopia, like other developing countries, is going through an epidemiological transition, and high rates of non-communicable diseases (NCDs) are having a significant impact on the health system; however, there is limited evidence about community level NCD prevalence, multimorbidity, and population awareness that could inform targeted interventions and policy responses. This study aimed to identify factors associated with NCD prevalence, multimorbidity, and population awareness of NCDs in Bahir Dar, Northwest Ethiopia.

Methods

A community-based cross-sectional survey was conducted with 417 randomly sampled adults. We performed descriptive and logistic regression analyses to evaluate associations between NCD prevalence (cardiovascular diseases, diabetes, cancer, chronic respiratory diseases, chronic kidney disease, and hypertension) multimorbidity (2 or more NCDs) and demographic, socioeconomic, individual risk factors, anthropometrics, knowledge, and attitude.

Results

This study reveals that 24% of participating adults have an NCD, and 8% have multimorbidity. One-third (34.5%) have some NCD knowledge, and 75% consider NCDs more dangerous than communicable diseases. We find low NCD prevalence in participants: younger than 40 years of age (AOR 0.17, 95% CI 0.07 to 0.39); with normal body mass index (AOR 0.27, 0.10 to 0.77) and; with a family history of NCD (AOR 7.7, 4.2 to 14.1). Multimorbidity is lower in young adults (AOR 0.08, 0.03 to 0.26). NCD knowledge is higher in men (AOR 1.76, 1.06 to 2.93) and employed adults (AOR 2.91, 1.52 to 5.57), and NCD attitude in normal-weight adults (AOR 3.23, 1.42 to 7.39).

Conclusion

This study reveals a high prevalence of NCD and overall low NCD awareness in the population. Age above 40 years, family history of NCD, and weight in the obese category are significant predictors of NCD prevalence. These findings can help health professionals, health offices, and concerned stakeholders to plan targeted health interventions to reduce NCDs in the population.

Keywords:

• prevalence
• epidemiology
• demographic
• socioeconomic status
• individual risk factors
• knowledge
• attitudes
• risk behaviours
• chronic disease
• Ethiopia

Data Sharing Statement

All data relevant to this study are included in the manuscript.

Ethics Approval and Informed Consent

This study methods and procedures were performed in accordance with the Helsinki Declaration for biomedical research. This study received ethics approval from the Australian National University Human Research Ethics Committee (protocol number 2020/558) and local approval from the Amhara Public Health Institute Research Ethics Committee (protocol number 1/10523), Bahir Dar, Ethiopia. Informed written consent was obtained from participants prior to starting data collection. For participants who could not read and write, informed oral consent was obtained. The data collectors read the information sheet to these types of participants and for those who agreed to participate, their response was recorded in the oral consent form prepared for this purpose. The oral consent form included information such as the title of the project, information that the participant is provided with clear information about the aims of the research, confidentiality of the collected information, and the data collection date. All these procedures were approved by the above-mentioned ethics committees.

Acknowledgments

We thank the Bahir Dar city administration and health offices, data collectors, and Bahir Dar city residents for their cooperation and support during the conduct of this study.

Author Contributions

All authors made a significant contribution to the work reported, whether that is in the conception, study design, execution, acquisition of data, analysis and interpretation, or in all these areas; took part in drafting, revising or critically reviewing the article; gave final approval of the version to be published; have agreed on the journal to which the article has been submitted; and agree to be accountable for all aspects of the work.

Disclosure

The authors declare no competing interests in this work.