Relationship between individual-level social capital and non-communicable diseases among adults in Honiara, Solomon Islands

Abstract

Objective Solomon Islands is experiencing a change in disease burden, from communicable to non-communicable diseases (NCDs). Urgent action is necessary to reduce the risk of high economic and personal costs associated with NCDs. Social capital refers to the trust, norms and networks that provide social benefits and it is related to health. Despite the strong social bonds among Solomon Islanders, research on the association between social capital and health is lacking. Therefore, this study examines the state of individual social capital and its connection to NCD-related factors in the capital of the Solomon Islands. Method In 2019, we conducted a cross-sectional study on 200 adults aged 20-80 years in urban and periurban settlements of the capital. Anthropometric measurements, questionnaires and interview surveys were conducted. Results This study identified higher prevalence of obesity, blood glucose levels and blood pressure compared with previous studies in both study areas. Multiple linear regression analysis reported that in the periurban area, cognitive social capital was negatively associated with body mass index (BMI) (p=0.005), whereas joining a group was positively associated with BMI (p=0.01). In the urban area, social support from individuals and cognitive social capital were negatively associated with blood glucose levels (p=0.03, p=0.007). Moreover, cognitive social capital was negatively associated with systolic blood pressure and diastolic blood pressure (p=0.03, p=0.006). However, joining citizenship activity was positively associated with glucose levels (p=0.04). Conclusion This study observed that participants living with people of the same linguistic group had high trust in each other. Furthermore, higher cognitive social capital and social support may reduce the risk of NCD-related factors, unlike joining group activities. Public health implications Findings suggest that health professionals should consider the influence of social capital on health promotion and interventions to be effective.