Health disparity toward noncommunicable diseases among residents in rural Cambodia: a descriptive study

Abstract

Objective: Regional disparities in health services is a crucial problem in Cambodia. Particularly, a number of NCD risk factors are more common among the rural poor. Fortunately, 80% of NCDs are preventable and cost-effective interventions exist. Therefore, health care needs assessments regarding NCDs in poor rural areas are vital. The object of this pilot study was to identify health care needs regarding NCDs among residents in poor rural areas in Cambodia. Materials and Methods: A medical health checkup and questionnaire survey were conducted with 208 rural residents who participated in a free health checkup and doctor consultation in Kaoh Peam Reang. Results: One hundred sixteen (55.8%) females were included in the total sample size of 208 participants; the majority (52.9%) were between 35 and 65 years of age. Twenty-five participants (12%) were current smokers, and 44 (21%) were current alcohol drinkers. Eighty (38.5%) participants had hypertension and 44 participants (21.2%) had a body mass index over 25. Alcohol drinking and smoking habits were more common among men. The five most frequent medical complaints were headache (18.3%), lower back pain (14.4%), foot and hand pain (13.9%), joint pain (10.1%), and difficulty breathing (10.1%). Conclusions: The medical need for doctor consultations regarding chronic disease and chronic pain might be higher in poor rural areas in Cambodia.