Abstract:
The disease epidemiology in Sri Lanka has changed
and the non-communicable diseases (NCDs) have become main causes of
mortality and morbidity. Most epidemic chronic diseases are related to lifestyle
and have common risk factors. Despite studies showing that they can be prevented
by lifestyle modification, such knowledge has not translated into community level
prevention. Objectives: To develop a simple and low cost tool that can be used by
community health workers and the individuals themselves for prevention of
lifestyle related NCDs similar to the highly successful Child Health Development
Record. Design, setting and methods: We identified cardiovascular disease, type 2
diabetes, obstructive pulmonary disease, alcoholic cirrhosis, tobacco and lifestyle
related malignancies as important causes of mortality, morbidity and economic
burden in Sri Lanka and the world with potential for prevention by lifestyle
modification. Next, based on current evidence we identified obesity, physical
inactivity, tobacco smoking, hypertension, alcohol abuse, hyperlipidaemia and
elevated plasma glucose as factors that can be changed through lifestyle
modification. The AHPR was developed to indicate graded risk for body weight,
body mass index, waist circumference, blood pressure, fasting plasma glucose,
HDL-C, triglycerides, LDL-C, physical exercise, smoking and alcohol
consumption coded in green, yellow, amber and red colours based on currently
available ethnic and gender specific data. The AHPR is for progressive follow up
and include vital messages and recommendations for health promotion and disease
prevention. Conclusions: This simple, low cost tool for NCD prevention may be
used in research and public health interventions to assess its efficacy and cost
effectiveness.
