Awareness About Non-Communicable Diseases among Rural Population in Remote Villages of Nepal

Abstract

Non-communicable diseases constitute a significant part of the overall morbidity and mortality in Nepal.
Prevention of non-communicable diseases involves lifestyle modification which is directly dependent on
the awareness of the population of the risk factors for diseases and methods of prevention. The aim of this
study was to estimate the levels of awareness about three common non-communicable diseases among the
residents of remote villages in Nepal. The study was conducted in villages in 5 districts of Nepal using a direct
interview method after obtaining verbal consent of the participants. The study included 218 participants,
of whom 127 were female and 91 were male. The participants ranged in age from 18-93 years. Levels of
awareness about causative factors of hypertension, asthma and diabetes among the respondents were 62.2%,
22.5% and 50.9% respectively. Levels of awareness of preventive methods among the participants were
52.8%, 38.9% and 55.3% for hypertension, asthma and diabetes respectively. The difference in levels of
awareness among both genders, different age groups and differing educational status was also studied.