Background To determine the prevalence, awareness, treatment and control of diabetes mellitus (DM) and associated factors amongst adults (18–69 years) in India from the National Noncommunicable Disease Monitoring Survey (NNMS). Methods NNMS was a comprehensive, cross-sectional survey conducted in 2017–18 on a national sample of 12,000 households in 600 primary sampling units. In every household, one eligible adult aged 18–69 years were selected. Information on NCD risk factors and their health-seeking behaviors were collected. Anthropometric measurements, blood pressure and fasting capillary blood glucose were measured. DM was defined as fasting blood glucose (FBG) ≥126 mg/dl including those on medication. Awareness, treatment, and control of DM were defined as adults previously diagnosed with DM by a doctor, on prescribed medication for DM, and FBG <126 mg/dl, respectively. The weighted data are presented as mean and proportions with 95% CI. We applied the Student t-test for continuous variables, Pearson's chi-square test for categorical variables and multivariate regression to determine the odds ratio. For statistical significance, a p-value < 0.05 was considered. Results Prevalence of DM and impaired fasting blood glucose (IFG) in India was 9.3% and 24.5% respectively. Among those with DM, 45.8% were aware, 36.1% were on treatment and 15.7% had it under control. More than three-fourths of adults approached the allopathic practitioners for consultation (84.0%) and treatment (78.8%) for diabetes. Older adults were associated with an increased risk for DM [OR 8.89 (95% CI 6.66–11.87) and were 16 times more aware of DM. Better awareness, treatment and control levels were seen among adults with raised blood pressure and raised cholesterol. Conclusions The prevalence of DM and IFG is high among adults, while the levels of awareness, treatment and control are still low in India, and this varied notably between the age groups. Multifaceted approaches that include improved awareness, adherence to treatment, better preventive and counseling services are crucial to halt diabetes in India. Also, expanding traditional systems of medicine (Ayurveda, Yoga, Naturopathy, Unani, Siddha, and Homeopathy [AYUSH]) into diabetes prevention and control practices open solutions to manage this crisis.

Prevalence, Awareness, Treatment and Control of Diabetes in India From the Countrywide National NCD Monitoring Survey

The monitoring framework for evaluating health system response to noncommunicable diseases (NCDs) include indicators to assess availability of affordable basic technologies and essential medicines to treat them in both public and private primary care facilities. The Government of India launched the National Program for Prevention and Control of Cancer, Diabetes, Cardiovascular diseases and Stroke (NPCDCS) in 2010 to strengthen health systems. We assessed availability of trained human resources, essential medicines and technologies for diabetes, cardiovascular and chronic respiratory diseases as one of the components of the National Noncommunicable Disease Monitoring Survey (NNMS - 2017-18). NNMS was a cross-sectional survey. Health facility survey component covered three public [Primary health centre (PHC), Community health centre (CHC) and District hospital (DH)] and one private primary in each of the 600 primary sampling units (PSUs) selected by stratified multistage random sampling to be nationally representative. Survey teams interviewed medical officers, laboratory technicians, and pharmacists using an adapted World Health Organization (WHO) – Service Availability and Readiness Assessment (SARA) tool on handhelds with Open Data Kit (ODK) technology. List of essential medicines and technology was according to WHO - Package of Essential Medicines and Technologies for NCDs (PEN) and NPCDCS guidelines for primary and secondary facilities, respectively. Availability was defined as reported to be generally available within facility premises. Total of 537 public and 512 private primary facilities, 386 CHCs and 334 DHs across India were covered. NPCDCS was being implemented in 72.8% of CHCs and 86.8% of DHs. All essential technologies and medicines available to manage three NCDs in primary care varied between 1.1% (95% CI; 0.3–3.3) in rural public to 9.0% (95% CI; 6.2–13.0) in urban private facilities. In NPCDCS implementing districts, 0.4% of CHCs and 14.5% of the DHs were fully equipped. DHs were well staffed, CHCs had deficits in physiotherapist and specialist positions, whereas PHCs reported shortage of nurse-midwives and health assistants. Training under NPCDCS was uniformly poor across all facilities. Both private and public primary care facilities and public secondary facilities are currently not adequately prepared to comprehensively address the burden of NCDs in India.

/pdf/preparedness-of-primary-and-secondary-health-facilities-in-25yxil7jhb.pdf

Preparedness of primary and secondary health facilities in India to address major noncommunicable diseases: results of a National Noncommunicable Disease Monitoring Survey (NNMS)

The World Health Organization recommends salt reduction as a cost-effective intervention to prevent noncommunicable diseases. Salt-reduction interventions are best tailored to the local context, taking into consideration the varying baseline salt-intake levels, population's knowledge, attitude, and behaviors. Fundamental to reduction programs is the source of dietary salt-intake. In South Asian countries, there is a paucity of such baseline evidence around factors that contribute to community salt intake. Upon reviewing the electronic literature databases and government websites through March 31, 2021, we summarized dietary salt intake levels and aimed to identify major sources of sodium in the diet. Information on the current salt reduction strategies in eight South Asian countries were summarized, namely Afghanistan, Bangladesh, Bhutan, India, Maldives, Nepal, Pakistan, and Sri Lanka. One hundred twelve publications (out of identified 640) met our inclusion-exclusion criteria for full text review. Twenty-one studies were included in the review. Quality of the included studies was assessed using the US National Heart, Lung, and Blood Institute assessment tool. The primary result revealed that mean salt intake of South Asian countries was approximately twice (10 g/day) compared to WHO recommended intake (< 5 g/day). The significant proportion of salt intake is derived from salt additions during cooking and/or discretionary use at table. In most South Asian countries, there is limited data on population sodium intake based on 24-h urinary methods and sources of dietary salt in diet. While salt reduction initiatives have been proposed in these countries, they are yet to be fully implemented and evaluated. Proven salt reduction strategies in high-income countries could possibly be replicated in South Asian countries; however, further community-health promotion studies are necessary to test the effectiveness and scalability of those strategies in the local context.

https://onlinelibrary.wiley.com/doi/pdf/10.1111/jch.14365

Salt intake and salt-reduction strategies in South Asia: From evidence to action.

Abstract Hypertension is a major risk factor for ischemic heart disease and stroke. We estimated prevalence, awareness, treatment, and control of hypertension along with its determinants in India. We used data from the National NCD Monitoring Survey-(NNMS-2017-2018) which studied one adult (18–69 years) from a representative sample of households across India and collected information on socio-demographic variables, risk factors for NCDs and treatment practices. Blood pressure was recorded digitally and hypertension was defined as systolic blood pressure (SBP) ≥ 140 mmHg or diastolic blood pressure (DBP) ≥ 90 mmHg or currently on medications. Awareness was defined as being previously diagnosed with hypertension by a health professional; on treatment as taking a dose of medication once in the last 14 days and; control as SBP &lt; 140 mmHg and DBP &lt; 90 mmHg. Multivariate Logistic regression was performed to estimate determinants. Out of 10,593 adults with a blood pressure measurement (99.4%), 3017 (28.5%; 95% CI: 27.0–30.1) were found to have hypertension. Of these hypertensives, 840 (27.9%; 95% CI: 25.5–30.3) were aware, 438 (14.5%; 95% CI: 12.7–16.5) were under treatment and, 379 (12.6%; 95% CI: 11.0–14.3) were controlled. Significant determinants of awareness were being in the age group 50–69 years (aOR 2.45 95% CI: 1.63–3.69), women (1.63; 95% CI: 1.20–2.22) and from higher wealth quintiles. Those in the age group 50–69 (aOR 4.80; 95% CI: 1.74–13.27) were more likely to be under treatment. Hypertension control was poorer among urban participants (aOR 0.55; 95% CI: 0.33–0.90). Significant regional differences were noted, though without any clear trend. One-fifth of the patients were being managed at public facilities. The poor population-level hypertension control needs strengthening of hypertension services in the Universal Health Coverage package. 

/pdf/hypertension-treatment-cascade-in-india-results-from-qlpikupm.pdf

Hypertension treatment cascade in India: results from National Noncommunicable Disease Monitoring Survey

Background: Raised blood pressure (BP) is the leading global risk factor for cardiovascular diseases and a major cause of premature death. Worldwide, one in four men and one in five women are hypertensive. For effective preventive strategy, understanding of predictors of hypertension is necessary. Objective: To assess prevalence and predictors of hypertension in the rural adult Indian population. Material and Methods: This cross-sectional study was carried out on 425 rural subjects (25–64 years) of the Varanasi district in India selected through multistage sampling. Blood pressure of each subject was measured using a standard technique. Sociodemographic data and predictors of hypertension were assessed by interviewing subjects with help of a predesigned and pretested proforma. Results: Prevalence of hypertension was 31.5% (95% CI: 27.1–35.9). There existed a significant (P < 0.05) association of BP with age, educational status, occupation, socioeconomic class, tobacco consumption, waist circumference, waist-hip ratio, and nutritional status. No significant association was found with gender, religion, caste, marital status, type and size of family, family without NCDs, awareness of screening camps for NCDs and national program for prevention and control of cancer, diabetes, cardiovascular diseases and stroke, and alcohol consumption. Significant association of education, nutritional, and occupational status obtained in univariate analysis got eliminated in the logistic model. Risk of hypertension was higher in the 45–64 years age group (AOR: 3.06; 95% CI: 1.75–5.35) and in socioeconomic class IV and V (AOR: 2.24; 95% CI: 1.17–4.31). Conclusion: Prevalence of hypertension in the rural population was high and most of the observed predictors were modifiable.

https://doi.org/10.4103/jfmpc.jfmpc_967_21

Prevalence and predictors of hypertension: Evidence from a study of rural India

Background The primary objective of National NCD monitoring survey (NNMS) was to generate national-level estimates of key NCD indicators identified in the national NCD monitoring framework. This paper describes survey study protocol and prevalence of risk factors among adults (18-69 years). Materials and methods NNMS was a national level cross-sectional survey conducted during 2017-18. The estimated sample size was 12,000 households from 600 primary sampling units. One adult (18-69 years) per household was selected using the World Health Organization-KISH grid. The study tools were adapted from WHO-STEPwise approach to NCD risk factor surveillance, IDSP-NCD risk factor survey and WHO-Global adult tobacco survey. Total of 8/10 indicators of adult NCD risk factors according to national NCD disease monitoring framework was studied. This survey for the first time estimated dietary intake of salt intake of population at a national level from spot urine samples. Results Total of 11139 households and 10659 adults completed the survey. Prevalence of tobacco and alcohol use was 32.8% (95% CI: 30.8-35.0) and 15.9% (95% CI: 14.2-17.7) respectively. More than one-third adults were physically inactive [41.3% (95% CI: 39.4-43.3)], majority [98.4% (95% CI: 97.8-98.8)] consumed less than 5 servings of fruits and / or vegetables per day and mean salt intake was 8 g/day (95% CI: 7.8-8.2). Proportion with raised blood pressure and raised blood glucose were 28.5% (95% CI: 27.0-30.1) and 9.3% (95% CI: 8.3-10.5) respectively. 12.8% (95% CI: 11.2-14.5) of adults (40-69 years) had ten-year CVD risk of ≥30% or with existing CVD. Conclusion NNMS was the first comprehensive national survey providing relevant data to assess India's progress towards targets in National NCD monitoring framework and NCD Action Plan. Established methodology and findings from survey would contribute to plan future state-based surveys and also frame policies for prevention and control of NCDs.

/pdf/national-noncommunicable-disease-monitoring-survey-nnms-in-4d5dd6om3g.pdf

P. Ganesh Kumar

Papers

National noncommunicable disease monitoring survey (NNMS) in India: Estimating risk factor prevalence in adult population.