Hyperglycaemia, hypertension and their risk factors among Palestine refugees served by UNRWA

Abstract

UNRWA's noncommunicable disease screening activities were evaluated among 7762 refugees screened for hypertension and type 2 diabetes in Jordan, Syrian Arab Republic, Lebanon, Gaza Strip and West Bank in June 2007. People were referred for screening most commonly because of age (both sexes), followed by smoking (males) and family history (females). A total of 9% of screened people were diagnosed with hypertension/ diabetes. Being olderthan 40 years, obese or with a positive family history of diabetes or cardiovascular disease increased the risk of presenting with hypertension and/or hyperglycaemia 3.5, 1.6 and 1.2 times respectively. Differences in risk factor detection and screening outcome in relation to differences in lifestyle are discussed.