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International Journal of Public Health
Published in: International Journal of Public Health 9/2017

01-12-2017 | Original Article

Socioeconomic patterning of chronic conditions and behavioral risk factors in rural South Asia: a multi-site cross-sectional study

Authors: Nandita Bhan, Christopher Millett, S. V. Subramanian, Amit Dias, Dewan Alam, Joseph Williams, Preet K. Dhillon

Published in: International Journal of Public Health | Issue 9/2017

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Abstract

Objectives

Our aim was to examine relationships between markers of socioeconomic status and chronic disease risks in rural South Asia to understand the etiology of chronic diseases in the region and identify high-risk populations.

Methods

We examined data from 2271 adults in Chennai, Goa and Matlab sites of the Chronic Disease Risk Factor study in South Asia. We report age–sex adjusted odds ratios for risk factors (tobacco, alcohol, fruit–vegetable use and physical activity) and common chronic conditions (hypertension, diabetes, overweight, depression, impaired lung and vision) by education, occupation and wealth.

Results

Respondents with greater wealth and in non-manual professions were more likely to be overweight [OR = 2.48 (95% CI 1.8,3.38)] and have diabetes [OR = 1.88 (95% CI 1.02,3.5)]. Wealth and education were associated with higher fruit and vegetable [OR = 1.89 (95% CI 1.48,2.4)] consumption but lower physical activity [OR = 0.52 (95% CI 0.39,0.69)]. Non-manual workers reported lower tobacco and alcohol use, while wealthier respondents reported better vision and lung function.

Conclusions

Ongoing monitoring of inequalities in chronic disease risks is needed for planning and evaluating interventions to address the growing burden of chronic conditions.
Appendix
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Metadata
Title
Socioeconomic patterning of chronic conditions and behavioral risk factors in rural South Asia: a multi-site cross-sectional study
Authors
Nandita Bhan
Christopher Millett
S. V. Subramanian
Amit Dias
Dewan Alam
Joseph Williams
Preet K. Dhillon
Publication date
01-12-2017
Publisher
Springer International Publishing
Published in
International Journal of Public Health / Issue 9/2017
Print ISSN: 1661-8556
Electronic ISSN: 1661-8564
DOI
https://doi.org/10.1007/s00038-017-1019-9

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