THE PREVALENCE OF NON-COMMUNICABLE DISEASES AMONG NON-TEACHING PERSONNEL OF THE UNIVERSITY OF SAINT ANTHONY: A BASIS FOR WORKPLACE HEALTH PROMOTION PROGRAM
Introduction
Non-communicable diseases (NCDs), such as heart disease, stroke, cancer, chronic respiratory diseases and
diabetes, are the leading cause s of mortality in the world. These invisible epidemics are under-appreciated causes of
poverty and hinder the economic development of many countries. The burden is growing - the number of people,
families and communities afflicted is increasing. Common, modifiable risk factors underlie the major NCDs. These
include tobacco, harmful use of alcohol, unhealthy diet, insufficient physical activity, and overweight/obesity, raised
blood pressure, raised blood sugar and raised cholesterol. [1]
In September 2011, at the United Nations General Assembly in New York, a political declaration was made to
strengthen global and national responses to prevent and control NCDs.
In 2016, non-communicable diseases (NCDs) accounted for 67% of all deaths in the Philippines. The
figures from 2015 show that every third Filipino (29%) can die before the age of 70 years from one of the four main
NCDs (cardiovascular diseases, diabetes, chronic respiratory disease and cancer). This highlights a pressing need to make
progress specifically on Sustainable Development Goals target 3.4, which aims to reduce premature mortality from
NCDs by one third by 2030. NCDs also have development impacts on other Sustainable Development Goals, including:
Sustainable Development Goals 1 (poverty), 2 (malnutrition), 4 (education for sustainable lifestyles), 5 (gender equality),
6 (access to clean water), 7 (access to clean air), 8 (safe working environment), 10 (reduce inequalities), 11 (access to safe, green public places) and
12 (sustainable consumption and production. [2]
In Bicol region, about 80% of deaths were caused by NCDs over the last few years. These included diabetes,
different types of cancer, cardiovascular diseases, hypertension, or chronic lung conditions. [3]
Reducing the major risk factors for non-communicable diseases (NCDs) – tobacco use, physical inactivity,
unhealthy diet and the harmful use of alcohol – is the focus of WHO’s work to prevent deaths from NCDs.
As part of the declaration, WHO was given a leadership role, and subsequently established the WHO
Global Action Plan for the Prevention and Control of NCDs 2013–2020 (Global NCD Action Plan) adopted by the World
Health Assembly in 2013 (1–3).
The Global NCD Action Plan included a global monitoring framework and nine voluntary global ta rgets to
be attained by 2025 (2). These targets are aligned to those for NCDs included in the 2030 Agenda for Sustainable
Development adopted at the United Nations Summit on Sustainable Development in September 2015 and the WHO
13th General Programme of Work 2019–2023 (GPW13) adopted by the World Health Assembly in May 2018.[4]
Targets were also set regarding country capacity to deal with NCDs, in particular the availability of technologies
and medicines to treat NCDs, and access to drugs and counselling to prevent heart attacks and strokes.
NCDs – primarily heart and lung diseases, cancers and diabetes – are the world’s largest killers, with an estimated
38 million deaths annually. Of these deaths, 16 million are premature (under 70 years of age). If we reduce the global
impact of risk factors, we can go a long way to reducing the number of deaths worldwide.
Prevention of NCDs is a growing issue: the burden of NCDs falls mainly on developing countries, where 82% of
premature deaths from these diseases occur. Tackling the risk factors will therefore not only save lives; it will also
provide a huge boost for the economic development of countries.
The workplace is an important setting for health protection, health promotion and disease prevention
programs. On average, Americans working full-time spend more than one-third of their day, five days per week at the
workplace. An Accessed US Bureau of Labor Statistics April 12, 20165 while employers have a responsibility to provide a
safe and hazard-free workplace, they also have abundant opportunities to promote individual health and foster a
healthy work environment for more than 159 million workers in the United States.
The use of effective workplace programs and policies can reduce health risks and improve the quality of life for
American workers.
Maintaining a healthier workforce can lower direct costs such as insurance premiums and worker’s compens ation
claims. It will also positively impact many indirect costs such as absenteeism and worker productivity. To improve the
health of their employees, businesses can create a wellness culture that is employee-centered; provides supportive
environments where safety is ensured and health can emerge; and provides access and opportunities for their
employers to engage in a variety of workplace health programs.
This research sought to describe the epidemiology of the major common risk factors for non-communicable
diseases among non-teaching personnel, general services and security guards of the University of Saint Anthony, Iriga City.
The study responds to the WHO’S recommendations on comprehensive and continuous risk factor surveillance as an
essential component of the public health information system and a vital health promoting strategy in the control and
prevention of non-communicable diseases.
Conclusion
Based on the findings derived from this study, the following conclusions were drawn.
In terms of age and gender, a total of 60 or 57% are females. A total of 35 or 34% belonged to 51 -60 years old.
21 out of 104 respondents are considered high risk because they smoke tobacco products at present. 11 out of
104 respondents are the only one not exposed to a smoker at home. So it makes the majority of the respondents at risk
to develop lung cancer and other respiratory illnesses. 45 or 23.26% are at risk to have lung cancer because these are
the combined number of respondents who smoke in the past and at present.
With the frequency of drinking alcohol, the respondents were found out to drink alcohol more frequently
than the standard requirement which is one per day, no more than two at one time and no more than three in a week.
22 or 36.66% consume alcohol more than the standard requirement which can predispose them to have alcohol-related injuries.
Most of the respondents drink alcohol with meals having a frequency of 71 or 88.75%.
Most of the respondents are not meeting the standard requirement of fruits and vegetable consumption because
according to the center for disease and prevention, at least 1½ to 2 cups per day of fruit and 2 to 3 cups per day
of vegetables should be consumed but most of the respondents only consume 1 medium size piece and 1 cup respectively.
Most of the respondents use salt or salt sauce in cooking or in preparing food at home. On the other hand,
the respondents reported that they rarely eat processed, they also think that they consume salt just right the amount
and they also think that it is important to lower salt consumption.
Almost half of the respondents are doing vigorous intensity physical activity for 1-2 days that can predispose
them to be at risk for cardiac problems. In addition, 34 out of 104 respondents are also at risk for sitting or reclining in
a chair for 7-8 hours per day.
Most of the respondents were told by their healthcare providers that they have raised blood pressure. 45 or
60.81% said that they are taking medications to control their raised blood pressure. Majority of the respondents who
were told by their health care providers that they have raised blood pressure are not using traditional or herbal medicine.
Almost half of the respondents have not had there blood sugar checked by a health care provider. Out of the
respondents who had their blood sugar checked, majority were told that their blood sugar is elevated but not all are
able to manage this with medications and home remedies.
The respondents should have their cholesterol levels checked on a regular basis because of other risk factors such
as smoking, physical inactivity, and age.
Most of the respondents did not visit a doctor or health care provider within a 12-month period.
Out of 56 female respondents, only three , or 53.57% got tested for cervical cancer. Over half of the respondents
have a blood pressure reading below or above normal. It is important for them to have it checked on a regular basis to
prevent complications.
The suggested recommended proposed plan may be adopted.
Researcher
- Lorraine T. Estadilla