Prevalence of Chronic Diseases in Residents of the Qassim Region, Saudi Arabia: A Community-Based Cross-Sectional...

Background Chronic diseases (CDs) pose a significant burden on healthcare systems worldwide. Despite extensive global research, specific data on the prevalent CDs in the Qassim Region of Saudi Arabia remain limited. Therefore, we analyzed the prevalent CDs among residents of the Qassim region based on age- and sex-related differences, to provide useful data for formulating public health policies and health promotion initiatives. Methods A cross-sectional study was conducted between August and September 2024, using a structured questionnaire administered to a convenience sample of 387 adults (≥18 years) from multiple public locations in Qassim. Descriptive statistics, Chi-square tests, and multivariate logistic regression analyses were performed using SPSS v.25. Results Among the 387 participants, 154 (39.7%) had at least one CD. The most prevalent conditions were diabetes mellitus (DM; n=70, 27.67%) and hypertension (n=60, 23.72%), with significantly higher rates among females (n=46, 26.29%). Obesity was more prevalent in males (p = 0.05). The prevalence of multimorbidity increased significantly with age (p < 0.001). Conclusion Our findings provide valuable insights into the prevalence of CDs in the Qassim region, Saudi Arabia, and combined with existing literature, emphasize the necessity of continued efforts to prevent and manage these chronic conditions to promote the health and well-being of the community in the Qassim region.