Prevalence and risk factors for self-reported non-communicable diseases among older Ugandans: a cross-sectional study

Abstract

Background

There is limited evidence about the prevalence and risk factors for non-communicable diseases (NCDs) among older Ugandans. Therefore, this article is aimed at investigating the prevalence of self-reported NCDs and their associated risk factors using a nationally representative sample.

Design

We conducted a secondary analysis of the 2010 Uganda National Household Survey (UNHS) using a weighted sample of 2,382 older people. Frequency distributions for descriptive statistics and Pearson chi-square tests to identify the association between self-reported NCDs and selected explanatory variables were done. Finally, multivariable complementary log–log regressions to estimate the risk factors for self-reported NCDs among older people in Uganda were done.

Results

About 2 in 10 (23%) older persons reported at least one NCD [including hypertension (16%), diabetes (3%), and heart disease (9%)]. Among all older people, reporting NCDs was higher among those aged 60–69 and 70–79; Muslims; and Pentecostals and Seventh Day Adventists (SDAs). In addition, the likelihood of reporting NCDs was higher among older persons who depended on remittances and earned wages; owned a bicycle; were sick in the last 30 days; were disabled; and were women. Conversely, the odds of reporting NCDs were lower for those who were relatives of household heads and were poor.

Conclusions

In Uganda, self-reported NCDs were associated with advanced age, being a woman, having a disability, ill health in the past 30 days, being rich, depended on remittances and earning wages, being Muslim, Pentecostal and SDAs, and household headship. The Ministry of Health should prevent and manage NCDs by creating awareness in the public and improving the supply of essential drugs for these health conditions. Finally, there is a need for specialised surveillance studies of older people to monitor the trends and patterns of NCDs over time.

• Africa
• Uganda
• chronic diseases
• non-communicable diseases
• elderly

Authors' contributions

SOW conceptualised, designed the study, and analysed the data. BK and PN substantially reviewed and revised the manuscript. All authors proofread and approved the manuscript.

Acknowledgements

The authors acknowledge John Eyers for the English language copyediting for this manuscript.

The authors recognise the review comments from Professor Emeritus Göran Bondjers, Professor of Cardiovascular Research at the University of Gothenburg. The authors thank the Uganda Bureau of Statistics for the permission to use the UNHS data and acknowledge the valuable comments and contributions of the members of the Doctoral Committee (DC): Dr. Valerie Golaz, Dr. Gideon Rutaremwa, and Dr. Sandra Kasoma. The technical support of Simon Kyewalyanga of Uganda Bureau of Statistics, on the merging of the UNHS data is recognised.