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Addis Ababa University Libraries Electronic Thesis and Dissertations: AAU-ETD! >
Faculty of Medicine >
Thesis - Public Health >
Please use this identifier to cite or link to this item:
http://hdl.handle.net/123456789/706
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| Title: | Assessment of Risk Factors for Selected Chronic Diseases among Higher Education Students in Addis Ababa |
| Authors: | Seblewengel, Lemma |
| Advisors: | Dr. Fikru Tesfaye |
| Copyright: | 2007 |
| Date Added: | 21-Apr-2008 |
| Publisher: | Addis Ababa University |
| Abstract: | Abstract
Background: The health system in developing countries, such as Ethiopia, is overwhelmed
by infectious diseases and malnutrition. However, the growing burden of diet and lifestyle
related chronic diseases have recently been recognized with its contribution to the double
burden on diseases in these countries.
Objective: The study was designed to assess the prevalence of common risk factors for
chronic diseases among regular higher education students in Addis Ababa in 2007.
Methods: This study is an institution-based cross sectional survey that employed cluster
sampling method. The WHO STEPS questionnaire was administered to collect data on sociodemographic
characteristics, behavioral risk factors, and selected physical measurements,
such as blood pressure, weight, height, waist and hip circumference.
Results: Prevalence of current cigarettes smoking was 9.5% in male and 3.4% in females.
About 44% of participants reported alcohol consumption in 12 months prior to the survey,
while 6.8% reported binge type of alcohol drinking. The prevalence of current khat chewing
was 13.8% and 13.3% were daily khat users. Almost 99% of participants reported inadequate
fruit and vegetable consumption, and 21% of participants added salt on their plate while they
are eating their meal. About 31.6% of males and 47.8% of females were physically inactive
or reported inadequate level of physical activity related to work, transport or leisure time. The
overall prevalence of overweight or obesity was 5.5%, with 4.2% in males and 7.6% in
females. Hypertension was detected in 10.4% of males and 6.7% of females. Adjusting to
other variables, age, friend's history of smoking, current khat chewing and binge drinking
were positively associated with current cigarette smoking status. Male sex, urban residence,
friends' and father's khat consumption history were positively associated with current khat
consumption. Sex, years of stay in college, living arrangement, and BMI were predictors of
both systolic and diastolic blood pressure of the participants.
Conclusion and recommendations: Inadequate consumption of fruits and vegetables, along
with physical inactivity, are widely prevalent risk factors of chronic diseases among college students in Addis Ababa. Moreover, khat chewing, cigarette smoking, and alcohol
consumption are common practice among the study population. The college, as a continuation
of the high school, is a favorable (breading) environment for adoption and proliferation of
substance use behavior. At the same time, it offers an opportunity for promotion of healthy
life style and prevention of the risky behavior. The school administrative and members of the
academic community should be aware of the prevailing situation and its potential
consequences in order to curb the problem. |
| Description: | A Thesis Submitted to the School of Graduate Studies of Addis Ababa University in a Partial
Fulfillment for the Degree of Masters in Public Health |
| URI: | http://hdl.handle.net/123456789/706 |
| Appears in: | Thesis - Public Health
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