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Abstract
Background: Chronic respiratory diseases (CRDs), diabetes mellitus, and cardiovascular diseases (CVDs) together represent the leading causes of non-communicable disease (NCD) morbidity and mortality worldwide. These conditions frequently share modifiable behavioural and metabolic risk factors, yet are often studied in isolation. This study examined the prevalence and common risk factors of CRDs, diabetes, and CVDs within a single adult community sample.
Methods: A cross-sectional survey design was used, involving 1,200 adults aged 18 years and above recruited through multistage random sampling from urban and semi-urban households. Data were collected using a structured, interviewer-administered questionnaire covering socio-demographic characteristics, behavioural risk factors, anthropometric measurements, blood pressure, and self-reported or clinically confirmed diagnoses. Descriptive statistics, chi-square tests, and multivariable logistic regression were used to identify factors independently associated with disease status.
Results: The overall prevalence was 14.8% for CRDs, 11.3% for diabetes, and 18.6% for CVDs, with substantial overlap among the three conditions. Prevalence increased sharply with age and was consistently higher among men than women. Physical inactivity, unhealthy diet, current smoking, and overweight/obesity were the most common modifiable risk factors. In adjusted models, age ≥50 years (aOR 2.68), current smoking (aOR 2.41), hypertension (aOR 2.22), obesity (aOR 2.05), and family history of chronic disease (aOR 1.96) were independently associated with having at least one chronic condition.
Conclusion: CRDs, diabetes, and CVDs share overlapping and largely modifiable risk factors in this population. Integrated, multi-condition prevention strategies targeting tobacco use, physical inactivity, unhealthy diet, and obesity are likely to be more efficient than disease-specific programmes and should be prioritised in community health planning.