Noncommunicable diseases behavioural risk factors among secondary school adolescents in Urban Cameroon
Abstract Adolescence is a crucial period for noncommunicable disease (NCD) risk factors, and interventions to reduce the NCD burden must target this age group. This study aimed to evaluate the NCD behavioural risk factors in adolescents attending state secondary schools in an urban setting in Camero...
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| Format: | Article |
| Language: | English |
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BMC
2024-02-01
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| Series: | BMC Public Health |
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| Online Access: | https://doi.org/10.1186/s12889-024-17753-1 |
| _version_ | 1797272900117463040 |
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| author | Changoh Marvel Changoh Lambed Tatah Desmond Aroke Dickson Nsagha Simeon-Pierre Choukem |
| author_facet | Changoh Marvel Changoh Lambed Tatah Desmond Aroke Dickson Nsagha Simeon-Pierre Choukem |
| author_sort | Changoh Marvel Changoh |
| collection | DOAJ |
| description | Abstract Adolescence is a crucial period for noncommunicable disease (NCD) risk factors, and interventions to reduce the NCD burden must target this age group. This study aimed to evaluate the NCD behavioural risk factors in adolescents attending state secondary schools in an urban setting in Cameroon. We conducted a cross-sectional survey using adapted structured questionnaires to assess the prevalence and correlates of NCD behavioural risk factors among adolescents attending selected urban state secondary schools in Douala IV, one of the six subdivisions in Douala, Cameroon. Of the 645 students who completed the study questionnaires, half of them did not have adequate knowledge about NCDs and their risk factors. Only 20% met recommended physical activity levels, nearly half lived sedentary lifestyles, and only 7% ate a healthy diet. Almost half of all participants reported drinking alcohol during the month, while 3% reported cigarette smoking. Participants with inadequate knowledge of NCDs were more likely to have elevated blood pressure values, and males had increased odds of high blood pressure. Contrarily, being male appeared to be protective against overweight and obesity. The odds of being sedentary decreased with age, and the odds of alcohol drinking seemed to grow with a higher maternal level of education. Our survey shows inadequate knowledge about NCDs and a high prevalence of NCD behavioural risk factors in adolescents in urban state secondary schools in Cameroon. These findings predict a higher NCD burden in future adults in the country, reinforcing the need for urgent public health interventions, especially regarding knowledge and sedentary living. Further research is needed to establish the transition of adolescent risk factors to adult disease through life course approaches in these settings. |
| first_indexed | 2024-03-07T14:36:53Z |
| format | Article |
| id | doaj.art-71bcb04858db42fe9c4fba738ab70d2c |
| institution | Directory Open Access Journal |
| issn | 1471-2458 |
| language | English |
| last_indexed | 2024-03-07T14:36:53Z |
| publishDate | 2024-02-01 |
| publisher | BMC |
| record_format | Article |
| series | BMC Public Health |
| spelling | doaj.art-71bcb04858db42fe9c4fba738ab70d2c2024-03-05T20:36:50ZengBMCBMC Public Health1471-24582024-02-012411710.1186/s12889-024-17753-1Noncommunicable diseases behavioural risk factors among secondary school adolescents in Urban CameroonChangoh Marvel Changoh0Lambed Tatah1Desmond Aroke2Dickson Nsagha3Simeon-Pierre Choukem4Faculty of Health Sciences, University of BueaHealth and Human Development (2HD) Research NetworkHealth and Human Development (2HD) Research NetworkFaculty of Health Sciences, University of BueaFaculty of Health Sciences, University of BueaAbstract Adolescence is a crucial period for noncommunicable disease (NCD) risk factors, and interventions to reduce the NCD burden must target this age group. This study aimed to evaluate the NCD behavioural risk factors in adolescents attending state secondary schools in an urban setting in Cameroon. We conducted a cross-sectional survey using adapted structured questionnaires to assess the prevalence and correlates of NCD behavioural risk factors among adolescents attending selected urban state secondary schools in Douala IV, one of the six subdivisions in Douala, Cameroon. Of the 645 students who completed the study questionnaires, half of them did not have adequate knowledge about NCDs and their risk factors. Only 20% met recommended physical activity levels, nearly half lived sedentary lifestyles, and only 7% ate a healthy diet. Almost half of all participants reported drinking alcohol during the month, while 3% reported cigarette smoking. Participants with inadequate knowledge of NCDs were more likely to have elevated blood pressure values, and males had increased odds of high blood pressure. Contrarily, being male appeared to be protective against overweight and obesity. The odds of being sedentary decreased with age, and the odds of alcohol drinking seemed to grow with a higher maternal level of education. Our survey shows inadequate knowledge about NCDs and a high prevalence of NCD behavioural risk factors in adolescents in urban state secondary schools in Cameroon. These findings predict a higher NCD burden in future adults in the country, reinforcing the need for urgent public health interventions, especially regarding knowledge and sedentary living. Further research is needed to establish the transition of adolescent risk factors to adult disease through life course approaches in these settings.https://doi.org/10.1186/s12889-024-17753-1NCDsBehavioural risk factorsAdolescenceCameroon |
| spellingShingle | Changoh Marvel Changoh Lambed Tatah Desmond Aroke Dickson Nsagha Simeon-Pierre Choukem Noncommunicable diseases behavioural risk factors among secondary school adolescents in Urban Cameroon BMC Public Health NCDs Behavioural risk factors Adolescence Cameroon |
| title | Noncommunicable diseases behavioural risk factors among secondary school adolescents in Urban Cameroon |
| title_full | Noncommunicable diseases behavioural risk factors among secondary school adolescents in Urban Cameroon |
| title_fullStr | Noncommunicable diseases behavioural risk factors among secondary school adolescents in Urban Cameroon |
| title_full_unstemmed | Noncommunicable diseases behavioural risk factors among secondary school adolescents in Urban Cameroon |
| title_short | Noncommunicable diseases behavioural risk factors among secondary school adolescents in Urban Cameroon |
| title_sort | noncommunicable diseases behavioural risk factors among secondary school adolescents in urban cameroon |
| topic | NCDs Behavioural risk factors Adolescence Cameroon |
| url | https://doi.org/10.1186/s12889-024-17753-1 |
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