Prevalence of smoking and high blood pressure, two major risk factors for non-communicable diseases: the SuRF NCD (surveillance of risk factors of non-communicable disease) report 2012

Abstract

Introduction Hypertension (HTN) is the cause of about 7.5 million deaths, approximately 12.8% of all deaths. It is a major risk factor for cardiovascular disease. 1 The prevalence of HTN varies between 5.5% in rural India to 40% in some Eu-ropean countries. Iran is a multicultural and multi-ethnic country. The prevalence of HTN has been estimated about 22.1% among Iranian, but there is a notable variation in different geographical location, different ethnicities, socioeconomic status, different cultures and life style. 2,3 Smoking is known as the single largest preventable risk factor for morbidity and premature death. It is the fourth risk factor attributable to burden of disease globally. 4 Each year 6 million people die from tobacco use, both from direct and indirect consequences. By 2020, this number will grow to 7.5 million, accounting for 10% of all deaths. It is the cause of about 71% of lung cancer, 42% of chronic respiratory disease and 10% of cardiovascular disease. 1 Tobacco epidemic is one of the greatest public health problems that human being has ever encountered. 5 Tobacco use disproportionately affects males and lower socioeconomic groups in developed and developing countries. 6 Approximately 80% of the more than 1 billion smokers worldwide live in low-and middle-income countries, where the bur-Abstract Introduction: In recent years non-communicable diseases (NCDs) risk factors such as tobacco consumption and high blood pressure (BP) have been increased. This study aimed to determine the frequency of risk factors of the main NCDs among inhabitants of Rafsanjan city. Methods: Our study is a part of NCD surveillance in Iran (SuRF NCD). A total of 640 people enrolled and divided in four age groups in urban and rural areas in Rafsanjan (a city in Kerman province). Data were collected using the standardized stepwise protocol for NCD risk factor surveillance of the World Health Organization (WHO). This study focused on hypertension (HTN) and smoking. Results: A total of 640 people (46.9% male and 53.1% female) participated in this cross-sectional study. The prevalence of HTN was 198 per 1000 population. 4.8% of those were below the age of 44, and 15% between 45 and 70 years old. Mean systolic BP was 127 ± 15.6 in male and 118 ± 19.65 in female and the statistical difference was significant (t = 5.55, P < 0.001). 79 (14.1%) of hypertensive live in urban and 32 (5.7%) live in rural areas (χ 2 = 8.004, P = 0.005). The prevalence of current smokers was 112 per 1000 population; among them 56 (88.9%) were daily smokers. The mean age for starting smoking was 21.11 ± 7.16 years. Conclusion: Modifying risk factors such as HTN and smoking behavior through primary and secondary prevention programs by enhancing awareness and knowledge of lay people, improvement screening and treatment interventions, particularly for the youth is highly recommended.