K R Kavya, Menon Jaideep C, Kartha Niveditha, Rose Brilly M
Department of Community Medicine, Amrita Institute of Medical Sciences and Research Centre, Kochi, IND.
Department of Cardiology, Amrita Institute of Medical Sciences and Research Centre, Kochi, IND.
Cureus. 2025 Mar 16;17(3):e80644. doi: 10.7759/cureus.80644. eCollection 2025 Mar.
Background Non-communicable diseases (NCDs) significantly contribute to the global disease burden, with fishing communities being particularly vulnerable due to occupational and lifestyle factors. This study assesses the NCD risk factor profile among the fishing community in the Ernakulam district of Kerala, India. Methods A cross-sectional study was conducted among 415 participants, including fishermen and fisherwomen aged 18 years and older. Data were collected using a standardized questionnaire for NCD risk factor assessment, and a multistage cluster sampling method was used. Statistical analysis was performed using IBM SPSS version 20.0 (IBM Corp., Armonk, NY, USA). The chi-square test was used to assess associations between behavioral and sociodemographic risk factors with NCDs. Multivariable logistic regression was employed to identify significant predictors of NCDs. Results The mean age of participants was 51.3 ± 4.99 years, with 72.3% (300) men and 27.7% (115) women. Key behavioral risk factors included current tobacco use (28.7%), past tobacco use (58.1%), current alcohol use (56.6%), inadequate fruit and vegetable intake (88.9%), and inadequate sleep (90.1%). Hypertension was present in 57.8% of participants, overweight/obesity in 62.2%, and abdominal obesity in 93%. Significant predictors of hypertension included advancing age, past smoking, and inadequate sleep. Overweight/obesity was significantly higher among men, and abdominal obesity was strongly associated with past smoking. Conclusion The fishing community exhibited a high prevalence of NCD risk factors, emphasizing the urgent need for targeted interventions. Addressing behavioral risk factors, improving dietary habits, and promoting healthy physical activity and adequate sleep are crucial to reducing NCD risks. An integrated, community-based approach is recommended to enhance health outcomes in this marginalized population.
背景 非传染性疾病对全球疾病负担有重大影响，由于职业和生活方式因素，渔业社区尤其脆弱。本研究评估了印度喀拉拉邦埃尔讷古勒姆区渔业社区的非传染性疾病风险因素概况。方法 对415名参与者进行了一项横断面研究，其中包括18岁及以上的渔民和渔妇。使用标准化问卷收集非传染性疾病风险因素评估数据，并采用多阶段整群抽样方法。使用IBM SPSS 20.0版（美国纽约州阿蒙克市IBM公司）进行统计分析。采用卡方检验评估行为和社会人口学风险因素与非传染性疾病之间的关联。采用多变量逻辑回归确定非传染性疾病的重要预测因素。结果 参与者的平均年龄为51.3±4.99岁，男性占72.3%（300人），女性占27.7%（115人）。主要行为风险因素包括当前吸烟（28.7%）、既往吸烟（58.1%）、当前饮酒（56.6%）、水果和蔬菜摄入不足（88.9%）以及睡眠不足（90.1%）。57.8%的参与者患有高血压，62.2%超重/肥胖，93%腹部肥胖。高血压的重要预测因素包括年龄增长、既往吸烟和睡眠不足。超重/肥胖在男性中显著更高，腹部肥胖与既往吸烟密切相关。结论 渔业社区非传染性疾病风险因素的患病率很高，这突出表明迫切需要有针对性的干预措施。解决行为风险因素、改善饮食习惯以及促进健康的体育活动和充足睡眠对于降低非传染性疾病风险至关重要。建议采用综合的、基于社区的方法来改善这一边缘化人群的健康状况。
