SCREENING FOR NON-COMMUNICABLE DISEASES AND THEIR RISK FACTORS, RESULTS OF A STUDY FROM AN URBAN CITY OF PAKISTAN

Abstract

Background: The burden of NCDs continues to rise and accounts for almost 70% of all deaths worldwide. Primary care can play an integral part in reducing this burden through effective screening mechanism. The aim of the study is to use screening for identifying NCD’s among high-risk population to reduce the mortality and morbidity related to them. Materials and Methods: This cross-sectional study was conducted during May 2025 to December 2025 in a Family Medicine clinic of Karachi, through a two-stage procedure. In stage I, high risk patients visiting family medicine clinics that is were either aged > 40 or those < 40 years with a BMI > 23 and had any of the risk factors such as physical inactivity, history of smoking or CVD, family history of diabetes were included, through a pretested questionnaire. In stage II, high-risk participants were screened for hypertension, diabetes and dyslipidemia. SPSS was used for data analysis; logistic regression was performed and number needed to screen (NNS) was calculated. Results: Amongst 289 patients screened, majority were female (69.9%). The results showed that the overall prevalence of NCDs among participants was 73%, with 47% had one and about 25% had two NCDs. The NNS to find a new case of hypertension was 2, the NNS was 4 for DM and 7 for dyslipidemia. The multivariable analysis depicts increasing age, being obese, physically inactive, smoker, having family history of CVD or DM are risk factors for the development of NCDs. Conclusion: The results of the study reflects’ the notion that disease prevention by screening and health awareness among general population is the most effective intervention in solving health crisis of developing world. The effectiveness of such an approach and the implications to the health care delivery system needs to be evaluated further.