Prevalence of and factors associated with non-communicable diseases among Bangladeshi adults: investigation from nationally surveyed data

Background Chronic non-communicable diseases, owing to their increasing prevalence, are the greatest constraint to disease burden reduction in Bangladesh. As a result, we concentrated on determining the prevalence and risk factors for major chronic non-communicable diseases (NCDs) among adult Bangladeshis. Methods Data from Bangladesh Demographic and Health Survey (BDHS) 2017-18 were analyzed. If a participant had diabetes or hypertension, it was classified as NCD. Whereas comorbidity is defined as a subject having both diabetes and hypertension. Both the unadjusted and adjusted log-binomial regression models considering the survey weights were employed to identify the factors associated with NCDs and comorbidity. Results The overall prevalence (age-adjusted) of NCDs (40.43% (95% CI: 40.29-40.56) diabetes and hypertension was 11.55% (95% CI: 11.46-11.64) and 35.04% (95% CI: 34.91-35.17), respectively, while 6.16% (95% CI: 6.09-6.23) of participants had comorbidity. The adjusted regression model shows that being aged >34 years, and overweight or obese were significant risk factors of all NCDs, where being involved in work and from rich households were found as risk factors of diabetes and comorbidity. Smoker participants and females were more likely to have hypertension compared to their counterparts. Contrary, being underweight was a protective factor of having NCDs, similarly, engage in work was found as protective factors of diabetes and co-morbidity. Conclusion A growing prevalence of diabetes, hypertension, and comorbidity was discovered in this study. To reduce the burden of these NCDs, it is necessary to take the necessary steps.