Descriptive profile of risk factors for cardiovascular diseases using WHO STEP wise approach in Madhya Pradesh

Periodic information on risk factor distribution is critical for public health response for reduction in non-communicable disease (NCDs). For this purpose, the WHO has developed STEPs wise approach. State representative population-based STEPS survey was last conducted in 2007-08 in seven states of In India. Since then no such work has been reported from low ETL states. This survey was carried out to assess the prevalence of risk factors associated with NCDs and the prevalence of NCDs in the low ETL state of Madhya Pradesh using the WHO STEPs approach.

A total of 5680 persons aged 18-69 years were selected from the state of Madhya Pradesh using multi-stage cluster random sampling. Using the WHO STEPs approach, details were collected on demographics, STEP 1 variables (tobacco consumption, alcohol consumption, physical activity, diet), STEP 2 variables (weight, height, waist circumference, blood pressure) and STEP 3 variables (fasting blood glucose, blood cholesterol).

We found that 9.4% individuals smoked tobacco, 15.3% were overweight/obese, 22.3% had hypertension, and 6.8% have diabetes mellitus. As compared to women, men were less likely to be overweight or obese, but more likely to smoke tobacco, and have diabetes mellitus. Hypertension was also more common in men. Overall, about a fourth of all adults had three or more risk factors for cardiovascular disease.

The survey shows that a large section of the population from Madhya Pradesh is either suffering from NCDs or have risk factors which predispose them to acquire NCDs. This state representative survey provides benchmarking information for behavioural and biological risk factor distribution for recently scaled up National Programme for the Prevention and Control of Cancer, Diabetes, Cardiovascular Diseases, and Stroke (NPCDCS).