A CROSS SECTIONAL STUDY TO ASSESS THE PREVALENCE AND TO DETERMINE THE ASSOCIATION BETWEEN SELECTED NON COMMUNICABLE DISEASES AND BEHAVIOURAL RISK FACTORS IN NORTH KARNATAKA, INDIA

Introduction: Non communicable diseases contributes to morbidity and mortality affecting the productivity of the country. Objectives: 1. To assess the prevalence of selected NCDs like diabetes, hypertension and cardiovascular diseases with behavioural risk factors among adults in Gadag. 2. To determine the association between selected NCDs like diabetes, hypertension and cardiovascular diseases with behavioural risk factors among adults in Gadag. Methodology: A community based cross sectional study was conducted among 494 adults aged above 18 years for 6 months. After taking informed consent in local Kannada language the study subjects were interviewed using predesigned and pretested questionnaire. The data was analyzed by frequency, proportions and chi-square test. Results: Out of 494 the study subjects 286 (57.8%) had diabetes, 325 (65.8%) had hypertension and 6 (1.2%) had cardiovascular diseases. Conclusion: The study found the association between selected NCDs and behavioural risk factors an attempt to focus on preventive health measures.