Lifestyle illnesses reach tribals too: Study

Mumbai: Lifestyle diseases such as hypertension and diabetes are no longer just urban phenomena. Researchers have discovered that these diseases are now prevalent even in tribal communities, despite prevalence of low-fat vegetarian diets, high levels of vigorous physical activity, and severe malnutrition.

A two-year study by a professor from a Chennai-based government-run epidemiological department has revealed that both urban and rural areas of the country are undergoing an epidemiological transformation and the nation will soon face a huge burden of non-communicable diseases (NCDs). The findings are based on a study conducted by Professor Vijayaprasad Gopichandran from the Katkari tribe of Raigad district in the state. They show prevalence of 16.8 per cent hypertension and 7.3 per cent diabetes among tribe members who were observed and tested over a period of two years.

A sample of 410 Katkari tribe members was observed, including 219 women below 18 years of age in three adjoining tehsils of the district. Information was obtained on socio-demographic parameters such as education, diet patterns, and substance abuse. Obesity, hypertension and diabetes were measured using standard field-based procedures and techniques.

Professor Gopichandran said, “Information on status of NCDs in tribal communities is limited. The objective was to generate data on the status of hypertension and diabetes; two objectively measurable NCDs in Katkaris, the dominant tribe in Raigad district of coastal Maharashtra.”

Joint director of family welfare, Mukund Diggikar, who holds additional charge of epidemic diseases in health department, told The Asian Age, “I am unsure about this report because the study was conducted without the knowledge of concerned officials from the state.

INTERPRETATIONS AND CONCLUSIONS

Prevalence of diabetes and hypertension in Katkaris is still lower than in urban and rural populations, close to the latter. This may be due to absence of known risk factors such as obesity, sedentary lifestyle, and hyperlipidemia in this community. The study suggests that NCDs will soon become a major health issue in this community as well. It is time to launch a multi-centric national study to gather baseline information on the status of NCDs in scheduled tribes (STs).