Abstract

Introduction: Epidemiological studies have indicated that there is a global prevalence of cardiovascular and non-communicable diseases; in addition, the number of people prone to these diseases is also increasing. This study aims to shed light on the trend of risk factors of non-communicable diseases in Kermanshah Province, Iran. Methods: This cross-sectional study uses WHO STEPwise approach to NCD surveillance on the 15-64 age group in 4 phases from 2006 to 2009. Sampling unit of this study consists in clusters of 20 qualified people. Through sampling, 5 age brackets containing similar numbers of males and females entered the study; there placed 4 people in every age bracket (2 males and 2 females). Finally, 2500 people entered this study in each phase (10000 people in 4 period). The data was collected using questionnaires, physical measurements, and blood samples. Then the data a SPSS 16, and the results were presented in frequency tables at 95 confidence interval. Results: In this study, it has been observed that prevalence of low physical activity, overweight, and obesity increased in both genders, while cigarette smoking decreased in both genders. Hypertension in men was on the increase until 2007, but on the decrease afterwards. However, there has not been any changes in female hypertension. Blood data showed that the largest prevalence of high cholesterol was in 45-54 age bracket for both men and women, whereas the highest prevalence of triglyceride was in 35-44 age bracket for men and in 55-64 age bracket for women. Conclusion: This study proved that there is high prevalence of risk factors of non-communicable diseases in Kermanshah Province. As risk factors have cumulative effects on each other, and all of them are related to inappropriate nutrition pattern, there should be an interventionist plan to change the nutrition pattern so that risk factors prevalence, cardiovascular diseases, diabetes, and cancers would decrease in the province. © 2018 Wolters Kluwer Medknow Publications. All rights reserved.