Women reported significantly higher rates of blood pressure testing (90.3% vs 80.8%) and blood glucose testing (86.2% vs 78.3%) in the previous year compared to men.
Cross-Sectional (n=6,380)
Yes
There are distinct sex-related inequalities in the self-reported testing and prevalence of NCD risk factors like blood pressure and blood glucose in Kerala, heavily influenced by education and wealth.
Absolute Event Rate: 90.3% vs 80.8%
p-value: p=<0.001
BACKGROUND: Non-Communicable Diseases (NCDs) are among India's top burdens, particularly in states like Kerala, which is at an advanced stage of the epidemiological transition. Evidence in India points towards intersectional inequalities in risk factors of NCDs and testing, both of which are understudied in Kerala. We estimated the self-reported testing and prevalence of key NCD risk factors-blood pressure (BP) and blood glucose (BG) comparing Kerala men and women across educational, wealth, religion, as well as caste and tribal status subgroups. METHOD: A multistage random sample survey of 3398 women and 2982 men aged 30 years and over was administered in 4 districts of Kerala from July to October 2019. Descriptive analysis for men and women was undertaken using survey weights. Slope index of Inequality and Relative Concentration Index for wealth and education related inequalities, and, Weighted Mean Difference from Mean and Index of Disparity for caste and tribal status, as well as religion related inequalities were calculated using World Health Organisation's Health Equity Assessment Toolkit Plus and Stata 12. RESULTS: ):78.3%). Among those tested, more women (11.2%) than men (7.9%) reported High Blood Pressure (HBP) but not High Blood Glucose (HBG). Testing for BP was concentrated among less-educated women while BG testing was concentrated among both less educated women and men. HBP and HBG were concentrated among less educated and wealthier groups. Although sex differences were insignificant across caste and tribal status and religion subgroups, magnitude of inequalities was high for HBP and HBG. CONCLUSION: Distinct patterns of sex inequalities were present in self-reported testing and prevalence of NCD risk factors in Kerala. Education and wealth seem to be associated with testing while prevalence appeared to vary by religious groups. Given the low rates of illiteracy, it is encouraging but maybe a data artefact that a small population of less-educated persons was getting tested; however, exclusion of poor groups and inequalities by other dimensions raise concerns. Further exploration is needed to understand underlying mechanisms of these inequalities to ensure we leave no one behind.
Negi et al. (Sat,) conducted a cross-sectional in Non-Communicable Disease (NCD) risk factors (n=6,380). Female sex vs. Male sex was evaluated on Self-reported blood pressure testing in the previous year (p=<0.001). Women reported significantly higher rates of blood pressure testing (90.3% vs 80.8%) and blood glucose testing (86.2% vs 78.3%) in the previous year compared to men.
Synapse has enriched 5 closely related papers on similar clinical questions. Consider them for comparative context: