Prevalence of clustering of non-communicable disease risk factors in a highly urbanized district of India: findings of a cross-sectional survey in Puducherry.

Background: In an individual, the development and severity of Non-Communicable Diseases (NCDs) are determined by the presence or absence of clustering of NCD risk factors in them. We aimed to determine the prevalence and the factors associated with clustering of risk factors of NCDs in the district of Puducherry in India.

Methodology: We conducted a community-based cross-sectional survey among the adult population (18-69 years) of Puducherry district (N = 1114) between February 2019 and February 2020. Ten risk factors of NCDs (behavioral, physical measurements and biochemical) were assessed. Individuals having ≥ 3 risk factors were regarded as having clustering of risk factors. Categorical variables are summarized using proportions (95% CI). Adjusted prevalence ratio was estimated using weighted forward stepwise generalized linear modelling.

Results: Clustering of NCD risk factors was present in majority (95.2%, 95% CI: 93.8-96.3) of the population. The presence of clustering was significantly higher among women (97.1%, 95% CI: 95.9-98.3) and the urban population (97.2%, 95% CI: 96.1-98.3). The risk factors that primarily drove the high prevalence of clustering were raised salt intake and inadequate intake for fruits and vegetables in nine out of 10 people in the district. Nearly 1 in 10 (13.3%, 95% CI: 11.3-15.3), 1 in 5 (21.5%, 95% CI: 19.1-23.8) and 1 in 4 (26.8%, 95% CI: 24.1-29.4) participants had three, four and five risk factors, respectively.

Conclusion: We highlight the urgent need for population-based health promotion interventions in the district of Puducherry targeting the highly prevalent NCD risk factors, especially among the women and urban populations.