Changing perspectives in tribal health: Rising prevalence of lifestyle diseases among tribal population in India

Abstract

BACKGROUND: The major focus of studies related to health among tribes in India has been on malnutrition. The world is in the stage of epidemiological transition, and noncommunicable diseases are overtaking the communicable diseases not only in general but also among the tribal population. OBJECTIVES: A cross-sectional study was conducted to find out the prevalence of diabetes and hypertension among the tribal population. METHODOLOGY: < 0.05 was considered significant. RESULTS: A total of 952 tribal people were interviewed. About 40.2% were males and 59.8% were females. About 82.2% were Illiterate. 18.9% were underweight compared to 8.8% who were overweight or obese. The prevalence of diabetes was 3.8% (36 participants) of which 77.8% was newly detected. Increasing age was associated with diabetes. Overall, prevalence of hypertension was 16.7% (159 participants) of which 62.9% were newly detected. Age, gender, body mass index, and literacy status were associated with the presence of hypertension. Only eight participants had both diabetes and hypertension. CONCLUSION: Noncommunicable diseases burden in tribal population is as high as in the general population. Effective strategies to prevent this have to be devised.