Non-communicable diseases

Due the cross-cutting epidemiological line of infectious and non-infectious diseases mostly in cities area in Africa, non-communicable diseases have increased. This change is currently caused by the urbanization increment, mechanized transport, transformed and processed food and urban behaviors and lifestyle change. Environmental exposure, or a hereditary characteristic are also the factors of NCDs. Non-communicable diseases are known as chronic diseases, are not passed from person to person. They are of long duration and generally silent and slow progression.

Characteristic of non-communicable diseases

• Do not result from an (acute) infectious process.
• Are “not communicable.” Are not contagious.
• Cause premature morbidity, dysfunction, and reduced quality of life.
• Usually develop and progress over long periods: long latency period.
• Often initially insidious.
• Once manifested there is usually a protracted period of impaired health: Functional impairment or disability.
• Complex etiology (causes)
• Multiple risk factors
• Prolonged course of illness
• Incurability

Types of non-communicable diseases

• Cardiovascular disease (coronary heart disease, heart failure, stroke, peripheral vascular diseases).
• Cancers
• Chronic lung diseases
• Diabetes
• Hypertension
• Gout
• Overweight and obesity
• Dyslipidemia
• Chronic neurologic disorders (Alzheimer’s, dementias) and other mental health issues.
• Degenerative Arthritis
• Musculoskeletal diseases mostly due to workplace factors
• Injuries (Road and workplace accidents).

Prevention of non-communicable diseases.

Our organization is dedicated to ensuring the prevention of non-communicable diseases in four levels of prevention. Primoradial prevention, primary prevention, secondary prevention and finally, tertiary prevention. With as focus of reduction of four prominent modifiable risk factors.

• Physical inactivity
• Tobacco use
• Alcohol use
• Unhealthy diets

Raising the awareness is a prominent strategy to increase people’s knowledge for taking rational decision.

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