ABSTRACT

Non-communicable diseases like cardiovascular disease, cancer, chronic respiratory diseases and diabetes, along with respective risk factors, pose a public health problem in Saudi Arabia. This study was done using GBD-SHIS data to study the prevalence and risk factors of non-communicable diseases in Saudi Arabia. Data from nationally representative sample collected during Saudi health Interview Survey (SHIS) 2013 was analyzed. Among a total of 10195 respondents, the mean age was 37.9 years (SD 16.1), of which 5252 (51.5%) were female and 6623 (65.0%) were currently married. The most common NCD was asthma (3.65%), followed by myocardial infarction (0.67%) and stroke (0.48%) and renal failure (0.54%). The most common NCD risk factor was ever smoking (17.01%). Diabetes (11.40%) and hypertension (9.38%) were the other common risk factors. All the NCDs were higher in the age group >60 years. The study clearly highlights the high burden of NCDs and their risk factors among Saudi population. The study inputs are extremely useful for government, service providers and population to develop appropriate prevention, screening and management services.

Keywords: Non-communicable diseases, Aged, risk factors