A study on lifestyle and behavioral risk factors among war veterans in Mathagadhi rural municipality, Palpa, Nepal.

Thesis Report.

ABSTRACT: Background: The world has reached a decisive point in the history of noncommunicable disease (NCDs) and has an unprecedented opportunity to alter is course. The transition to retirement among war veterans has recognized as a turning point in determining high alcohol intake, low physical activity, low fruits & vegetables consumption and may present a critical "window" for promoting other risk factors for NCDs. Methodology: A community based cross sectional study was conducted in purposively selected Mathagadhi Rural Municipality of Palpa, district of province number 5. Population proportionate technique was carried out to determine the study unit. Altogether, 189 war veterans were interviewed for the study. Results: This survey explore the high prevalence of alcohol consumption (current drinkers: 82.53%), low physical activity, low intake of fruits & vegetables intake (≥4 serving day: 87.9%) and high prevalence of hypertension (47.7%) among war veterans. Nine variables (Service year, current drinker, F&V consumption, physical activity, BMI and hip waist ratio) were significantly associated with hypertension in bivariate analysis were taken to multivariate analysis. Study concluded that, as the BMI of study population increased or becoming obese, the odds of getting hypertension increase by 3.4 times than its counterparts normal BMI (AOR=3.4, 95% CI:1.6-7.19 at p value 0.001). Conclusion: NCDs require the multi-stakeholders solution, the government of Nepal is also coming with PEN package for the prevention of NCDs with its partner agencies. Early screening of NCDs and health promotion strategy at community level should implement to reduce the burden of NCDs among war veterans. Keywords: War veterans, Non-communicable disease, Hypertension, Health Literacy.