Abstract
Background: Chronic non-communicable diseases (NCDs), including diabetes mellitus, cardiovascular diseases (CVD), and chronic respiratory diseases, represent a growing public health burden in low- and middle-income countries such as Pakistan. Evidence on their combined prevalence and determinants at the community level remains limited.
Objective: To estimate the prevalence and identify the determinants of chronic respiratory diseases, diabetes mellitus, and cardiovascular diseases among adults in Abbottabad, Pakistan.
Methods: A community-based cross-sectional study was conducted among 422 participants. Sociodemographic and behavioral data were collected, including age, gender, smoking status, physical activity, and body mass index (BMI). Disease outcomes were based on self-reported physician diagnoses. Bivariate associations were assessed using chi-square tests, and multivariable logistic regression analyses were performed to identify independent predictors of each condition. Adjusted odds ratios (AORs) with 95% confidence intervals (CIs) were reported.
Results: The mean age of participants was 41.8 years (SD = 13.6), and 54.3% were male. The prevalence of diabetes mellitus, CVD, and chronic respiratory diseases was 25.8%, 22.0%, and 16.6%, respectively. In multivariable analyses, age ≥40 years (AOR = 2.91, 95% CI [1.82, 4.64]) and obesity (AOR = 2.36, 95% CI [1.45, 3.85]) were significantly associated with diabetes. For CVD, significant predictors included age ≥40 years (AOR = 2.48, 95% CI [1.55, 3.98]), obesity (AOR = 1.97, 95% CI [1.19, 3.27]), and physical inactivity (AOR = 1.89, 95% CI [1.17, 3.04]). Smoking was the strongest determinant of chronic respiratory diseases (AOR = 3.84, 95% CI [2.25, 6.56]).
Conclusions: The findings indicate a substantial burden of chronic diseases in Abbottabad, with modifiable risk factors such as obesity, physical inactivity, and smoking playing a significant role. Targeted public health interventions focusing on lifestyle modification and early screening are essential to reduce the burden of NCDs in this population.