Population demographics and socio-economic characteristics
Of the 9053 eligible persons (823 from each of 11 governorates), 6582 persons consented to participate in the NCD survey. The response rate for Step 1 & 2 was 97.9%, and Step 3 which blood was obtained was 93.3% while spot urine collection response rate was 87.2%. Table 1 represents the socio-demographic variables of the sample involved in the survey. The sample population was almost equal between men and women (49% females; 51% males). The age range of the sample was 11% in the 18–24 years’ age group, 31% in the 25-34 years’ age group, 29% in the 35-44 years’ age group, 15% in the 45-54 years’ age group and 8% in the 40–59 years’ age group with 6% in the 65+ age group. In terms of education level, the largest proportion (34%) had completed secondary school while 23% had completed a University degree with around 27% not having any formal education. 45% of the sample population were not currently working while 22% were working as a government employee. The distribution of samples in the different governorates (regions) are also shown in Table 1.
Table 1: Socio-demographic profile of the study population
Variable
|
n
|
Percentage
(%)
|
Age groups(years)
|
|
|
18-24 years
|
718
|
10.9
|
25-34 years
|
2055
|
31.2
|
35-44 years
|
1889
|
28.7
|
45-54 years
|
981
|
14.9
|
55-64 years
|
543
|
8.2
|
65 years and above
|
396
|
6.0
|
Sex
|
|
|
Male
|
3365
|
51.1
|
Female
|
3217
|
48.9
|
Nationality
|
|
|
Omani
|
4645
|
70.6
|
Non-Omani
|
1937
|
29.4
|
Education Level
|
|
|
No formal education
|
1772
|
26.9
|
Preparatory or lower
|
988
|
15.0
|
Secondary completed
|
2258
|
34.3
|
University and above
|
1558
|
23.7
|
Employment status
|
|
|
Government employee
|
1287
|
21.5
|
Non-government employee
|
1766
|
29.5
|
Self-employed
|
251
|
4.1
|
Not currently working
|
2692
|
44.9
|
Governorates (Regions)
|
|
|
Muscat
|
569
|
8.6
|
Dhofar
|
687
|
10.4
|
Ad Dakhiliyah
|
663
|
10.1
|
North Sharqiyah
|
546
|
8.3
|
South Sharqiyah
|
532
|
8.1
|
North Batinah
|
632
|
9.6
|
South Batinah
|
571
|
8.7
|
Al-Dhahirah
|
573
|
8.7
|
Al-Buraimi
|
633
|
9.6
|
Musandam
|
496
|
7.5
|
Al-Wusta
|
680
|
10.3
|
|
Behavioural Risk Factors
Smoking: The overall prevalence of current smokers, including daily and non-daily smokers, was 9% (95% CI: 6.1-11.6) (Table 2). The highest prevalence was observed among men (16%, 95% CI: 11.6-21.3). Omani (6%, 95% CI: 3.6-11.0) smoked less than non-Omani residents (14%, 95% CI: 10.8-18.6). 7% (95% CI: 5.0-10.0) of the population currently smoke tobacco daily. Current daily smoking is most prevalent amongst males (13%, 95% CI: 9.1-19.0) and non-Omani residents (11%, 95% CI: 8.2-15.2). The prevalence of current smoking and current daily smoking was found statistically significant (p <0.05 level) by sex and nationality.
Alcohol consumption
Alcohol consumption was observed in 2% (95% CI: 0.7-8.4) of the participants (Table 2). The prevalence of alcohol consumption was higher in males (4%, 95% CI: 1.2-11.8) compared to females (0.6%, 95% CI: 10.2-4.0), and higher among non-Omani residents (8%, 95% CI: 3.3-18.2) than Omani nationals (0.4%, 95% CI: 1.2-11.8).
Unhealthy diet
Overall, the mean number of servings of fruit or vegetables consumed per day on average was 4.4 with higher means observed in the female (4.0) and Omani (4.7) population (Table 2). A large proportion (61%, 95% CI: 51.1-69.5) of the population reported eating less than the WHO-recommended 5 servings of fruit or vegetables per day. The prevalence of insufficient fruit or vegetable intake was higher in men (64%, 95% CI: 54.6-72.2) as compared to female (57%, 95% CI: 47.1-66.9). A lower prevalence was seen among the Omani population (56%, 95% CI: 46.7-67.7) than the non-Omani resident population (69%, 95% CI: 63.0-75.0). 24% (95% CI: 15.3-35.9) of the population also reported adding salt or salty sauce always or often to their food before or while eating, with a higher prevalence among the female (28%, 95% CI: 19.5-38.3) and Omani (27%, 95% CI: 18.1-37.4) population. The mean salt intake per day was found to 8.6g among the survey participants. The mean salt intake per day was found to be higher in males (9.5g) than females (7.4g), and lower among Omani (8g) than non-Omani residents (9g). The prevalence of insufficient fruit or vegetable intake was found to be statistically significant (p <0.05) by sex and nationality.
Physical Inactivity
Insufficient physical activity was prevalent among 39% (95% CI: 27.9-50.6) of the respondents (Table 2). Almost half of the women (49%, 95% CI: 34.7-62.6) along with 30% (95% CI: 22.0-38.5) of men were found to have insufficient physical activity. Omani (42%, 95% CI: 30.3-53.8) had a higher prevalence of insufficient physical activity than non-Omani residents (31%, 95% CI: 21.4-41.7). Omani women (51%, 95% CI: 37.6-63.4) were found to have a higher prevalence of insufficient physical activity compared to Omani men (30%, 95% CI: 20.6-41.6). Overall, the median time spent on physical activity on average per day was 69 minutes, with females (60 minutes) and Omani (60 minutes) reporting lower median times than males (77 minutes) and non-Omani residents (120 minutes) respectively. The prevalence of insufficient physical activity was found statistically significant (p <0.05) by sex and nationality.
Table 2: Prevalence of behavioural risk factors of non-communicable diseases among the survey participants
Behavioural Risk Factors
|
Omani
|
Non-Omani
|
Overall
|
P- value
|
Male
|
Female
|
Total
|
Male
|
Female
|
Total
|
Male
|
Female
|
Total
|
Smoking
|
|
|
|
Current tobacco users (Smoking & Smokeless) (Daily & Non-daily) (%)
|
14.1 (7.9-23.9)
|
0.4 (0.1-1.8)
|
6.3 (3.6-11.0)
|
18.5 (14.8-23.0)
|
1.3 (0.7-2.3)
|
14.2 (10.8-18.6)
|
15.8 (11.6-21.3)
|
0.5 (0.1-1.9)
|
8.5 (6.1-11.6)
|
.023
|
Current daily tobacco users (Smoking & Smokeless) (%)
|
12.3 (6.6-21.9)
|
-
|
5.6 (3.0-10.0)
|
14.8 (11.5-18.9)
|
0.3 (1.0-1.1)
|
11.2 (8.2-15.2)
|
13.3 (9.1-19.0)
|
0.4 (0.1-1.6)
|
7.1 (5.0-10.0)
|
.052
|
Alcohol consumption
|
|
|
|
Alcohol drinkers (drunk alcohol in the past 12 months) (%)
|
0.9 (0.4-1.9)
|
-
|
0.4 (0.2-0.9)
|
8.6 (3.3-20.4)
|
6.3 (2.9-13.2)
|
8.0 (3.3-18.2)
|
3.9 (1.2-11.8)
|
0.9 (0.2-4.0)
|
2.4 (0.7-8.4)
|
< .001
|
Unhealthy Diet
|
|
|
|
Mean number of servings of fruit/vegetables consumed on average per day (%)
|
5.0 (4.1-5.9)
|
5.1 (3.9-6.2)
|
5.0 (4.6-4.8)
|
4.1 (3.5-4.7)
|
4.3 (3.5-4.7)
|
4.1 (3.6-3.8)
|
4.0 (3.8-4.1)
|
4.8 (4.7-4.9)
|
4.7 (3.9-5.6)
|
< .001
|
Insufficient fruit/vegetable intake (<5 servings of fruit and /or vegetables on average per day) (%)
|
58.3 (47.0-68.8)
|
56.9 (45.6-67.8)
|
57.5 (46.7-67.7)
|
72.6 (64.8-79.2)
|
59.5 (53.4-65.4)
|
69.3 (63.0-75.0)
|
63.9 (54.6-72.2)
|
57.3 (47.1-66.9)
|
60.7 (51.1-69.5)
|
.030
|
Always or often added salt or salty sauce to their food before or while eating (%)
|
23.1 (15.1-33.8)
|
29.3 (20.4-40.1)
|
26.6 (18.1-37.4)
|
16.6 (7.4-33.2)
|
19.7 (12.4-29.9)
|
17.4 (9.8-28.9)
|
20.6 (11.8-33.5)
|
27.9 (19.5-38.3)
|
24.1 (15.3-35.9)
|
.006
|
Mean salt intake per day (g)
|
9.6 (9.5-9.6)
|
7.4 (7.42-7.48)
|
8.4 (8.3-8.4)
|
9.5 (9.50-9.57)
|
7.5 (7.4-7.5)
|
9 (8.9-9.0)
|
9.5 (9.49-9.5)
|
7.4 (7.39-7.44)
|
8.6 (8.596-8.602)
|
< .001
|
Physical activity
|
|
|
|
Median time spent on physical activity on average per day (in minutes)
|
64
|
60
|
60
|
137
|
100
|
120
|
77
|
60
|
68.6
|
< .001
|
Insufficient physical activity (%) (< 150 minutes of moderate-intensity activity/ week, or equivalent)
|
30.1 (20.6-41.6)
|
50.5 (37.6-63.4)
|
41.6 (30.3-53.8)
|
28.9 (21.7-37.4)
|
35.7 (16.8-60.5)
|
30.6 (21.4-41.7)
|
29.6 (22.0-38.5)
|
48.5 (34.7-62.6)
|
38.6 (27.9-50.6)
|
.033
|
*p-value for nationality
Biological Risk Factors
Overweight and Obesity
With an overall mean Body Mass Index (BMI) of 28, Almost two thirds (66%, 95% CI: 62.4-69.6) of the population were overweight or obese (body mass index ≥ 25 kg/m2) (Table 3). A higher prevalence of overweight and obesity was observed among women (69%, 95% CI: 65.4-73.1) as compared to men (63%, 95% CI: 57.6-88.8). The Omani population (67%, 95% CI: 63.3-69.6) had a slightly higher prevalence of overweight and obesity than the non-Omani resident population (65%, 95% CI: 58.5-71.1). Likewise, obesity (body mass index ≥ 30 kg/m2) was more prevalent in females (39%, 95% CI: 34.2-44.7) than males (23%, 95% CI: 19.3-27.7) contributing to an overall prevalence of 31% (95% CI: 26.0-35.7). Omani women (41%, 95% CI: 35.5-46.6) were found to have a higher prevalence of obesity compared to Omani men (28%, 95% CI: 25.2-31.5). The prevalence was higher among Omani (35%, 95% CI: 31.4-39.2) than non-Omani residents (19%, 95% CI: 14.0-25.2). The prevalence of overweight and obesity was found statistically significant (p <0.05) and nationality. The BMI mean level was also found to be increasing with age among Omani men and women & non-Omani residents’ men for ages up to 64 years (Table 4).
Table 3: Prevalence of biological risk factors of non-communicable diseases among the survey participants
Biological Risk Factors
|
Omani
|
Non-Omani
|
Overall
|
P-value*
|
Male
|
Female
|
Total
|
Male
|
Female
|
Total
|
Male
|
Female
|
Total
|
Overweight and obesity
|
|
Mean body mass index – BMI (kg/m2)
|
27.7 (26.8-28.6)
|
29.1 (28.2-29.9)
|
28.5 (28.49-28.51)
|
26.4 (25.8-27.9)
|
28.1 (27.3-28.9)
|
26.8 (26.79-26.81)
|
27.2 (27.18-27.21)
|
28.9 (28.88-28.92)
|
28 (27.5-28.5)
|
< .001
|
Overweight (BMI ≥ 25) (%)
|
63.6 (58.5-68.4)
|
69.0 (64.8-72.9)
|
66.5 (63.3-69.6)
|
63.1 (54.5-70.8)
|
71.5 (65.8-76.5)
|
65.1 (58.5-71.1)
|
63.4 (57.6-68.8)
|
69.4 (65.4-73.1)
|
66.1 (62.4-69.6)
|
.015
|
Obese (BMI ≥ 30) (%)
|
28.2 (25.2-31.5)
|
40.9 (35.5-46.6)
|
35.2 (31.4-39.2)
|
15.5 (10.6-22.1)
|
29.8 (23.8-36.6)
|
19 (14.0-25.2)
|
23.2 (19.3-27.7)
|
39.3 (34.2-44.7)
|
30.7 (26.0-35.7)
|
< .001
|
Raised blood pressure
|
|
Mean systolic blood pressure (mmHg)
|
132.5 (132-132.9)
|
122.2 (121.7-122.6)
|
126.7 (126.4-127.1)
|
132.8 (132.2-133.3)
|
122.6 (121.2-124)
|
130.2 (129.7-130.8)
|
132.6 (132.2-132.9)
|
122.2 (121.8-122.7)
|
127.7 (127.4-128)
|
< .001
|
Mean diastolic blood pressure (mmHg)
|
82.1 (81.7-82.4)
|
78.9 (78.7-79.2)
|
80.3 (80.1-80.5)
|
85.3 (85-85.6)
|
80.5 (79.8-81.2)
|
84.1 (83.8-84.4)
|
83.3 (83.1-83.6)
|
79.1 (78.9-79.4)
|
81.3 (81.2-81.5)
|
< .001
|
Prevalence of raised blood pressure (%) (≥ 140/90 mmHg)
|
37.9 (29.5-47.1)
|
27.8 (24.5-31.3)
|
32.2 (26.8-38.0)
|
40.6 (35.4-46.1)
|
24.0 (19.0-30.0)
|
36.5 (32.2-41.1)
|
39.0 (32.0-46.4)
|
27.2 (24.3-30.4)
|
33.3 (28.0-39.1)
|
.058
|
Raised blood glucose
|
|
Mean fasting blood glucose (mmol/L)
|
5.64 (5.57-5.7)
|
5.83 (5.79-5.88)
|
5.74 (5.71-5.78)
|
5.98 (5.88-6.07)
|
6.19 (6.03-6.34)
|
6.03 (5.95-6.11)
|
5.77 (5.72-5.82)
|
5.88 (5.84-5.93)
|
5.82 (5.79-5.86)
|
.273
|
Prevalence of raised fasting blood glucose (%) (≥ 7.0 mmol/L)
|
13.5 (12.2-14.8)
|
15.4 (14.5-16.3)
|
14.5 (13.8-15.3)
|
18.5 (17.3-19.7)
|
19.9 (17.7-22.4)
|
18.8 (17.8-19.9)
|
15.4 (14.5-16.3)
|
16.1 (15.2-16.9)
|
15.7 (15.1-16.3)
|
< .001
|
Prevalence of impaired fasting glycaemia (%) (≥ 6.1 to < 7.0 mmol/L)
|
10.2 (9.5-10.9)
|
12.6 (11.9-13.4)
|
11.5 (11.0-12.1)
|
12.5 (12.1-12.9)
|
12.4 (11.6-13.2)
|
12.5 (11.7-13.3)
|
11.1 (10.5-11.6)
|
12.6 (11.9-13.3)
|
11.8 (11.4-12.2)
|
< .001
|
Raised blood total cholesterol
|
|
Mean total cholesterol (mmol/l)
|
4.61 (4.57-4.65)
|
4.80 (4.78-4.83)
|
4.72 (4.69-4.74)
|
4.54 (4.5-4.58)
|
4.83 (4.76-4.9)
|
4.61 (4.57-4.64)
|
4.58 (4.55-4.61)
|
4.81 (4.78-4.83)
|
4.69 (4.67-4.71)
|
< .001
|
Prevalence of raised total cholesterol (%) (≥5.0 mmol/l)
|
33.3 (31.8-34.9)
|
39.9 (38.6-41.6)
|
37.0 (36.0-38.0)
|
29.6 (28.1-31.2)
|
36.8 (34.2-39.5)
|
31.4 (30.1-32.8)
|
31.9 (30.8-33.0)
|
39.5 (38.3-40.7)
|
35.5 (34.7-36.3)
|
.010
|
*p-value for nationality
Table 4: Risk factor estimates of non-communicable diseases by nationality, sex, and age group
|
BMI† Mean (95% CI)
|
SBP∫ Mean (95% CI)
|
DBP∆ Mean (95% CI)
|
BG∏ Mean (95% CI)
|
TC≡ Mean (95% CI)
|
Omani
|
Men
|
|
|
|
|
|
18-24 years
|
26.0 (23.6-28.4)
|
128.9 (127.9-129.8)
|
78.1 (77.1-79.1)
|
5.1 (5.10-5.18)
|
4.0 (3.95-4.05)
|
25-34 years
|
26.5 (25.6-27.4)
|
128.5 (127.8-129.3)
|
80.5 (79.8-81.2)
|
5.2 (5.17-5.31)
|
4.5 (4.45-4.55)
|
35-44 years
|
29.0 (28.0-30.0)
|
130.5 (129.9-131.2)
|
83.9 (83.4-84.3)
|
5.5 (5.41-5.53)
|
4.9 (4.87-4.99)
|
45-54 years
|
28.5 (27.6-29.5)
|
137.3 (136.0-138.6)
|
85.9 (85.2-86.5)
|
6.5 (6.18-6.85)
|
4.8 (4.67-4.87)
|
55-64 years
|
31.8 (27.4-36.2)
|
144.0 (142.1-146.0)
|
86.5 (85.9-88.3)
|
6.4 (6.21-6.61)
|
5.3 (5.07-5.62)
|
65 years & above
|
26.8 (24.8-28.8)
|
140.2 (138.4-142.1)
|
81.2 (80.3-82.1)
|
6.5 (6.32-6.65)
|
4.7 (4.63-4.84)
|
p value for trend*
|
<0.001
|
<0.001
|
<0.001
|
<0.001
|
<0.001
|
Women
|
|
|
|
|
|
18-24 years
|
25.6 (24.6-26.5)
|
112.8 (111.7-113.8)
|
74.3 (73.7-74.9)
|
5.1 (5.05-5.16)
|
4.5 (4.43-4.54)
|
25-34 years
|
27.4 (26.2-28.6)
|
115.0 (114.5-115.6)
|
76.6 (76.3-76.9)
|
5.4 (5.32-5.41)
|
4.7 (4.64-4.74)
|
35-44 years
|
31.3 (30.4-32.1)
|
121.1 (120.3-121.9)
|
80.3 (79.9-80.8)
|
5.8 (5.74-5.86)
|
4.9 (4.89-4.99)
|
45-54 years
|
31.4 (30.5-32.2)
|
130.1 (128.7-131.5)
|
83.3 (82.4-84.2)
|
6.3 (6.20-6.41)
|
4.9 (4.87-5.01)
|
55-64 years
|
30.2 (28.0-32.5)
|
139.0 (137.6-140.3)
|
83.5 (82.8-84.1)
|
6.6 (6.41-6.75)
|
5.3 (5.12-5.43)
|
65 years & above
|
29.6 (27.4-31.9)
|
141.9 (140-143.7)
|
81.2 (79.9-82.5)
|
7.8 (7.43-8.08)
|
4.8 (4.69-4.86)
|
p value for trend*
|
<0.001
|
<0.001
|
<0.001
|
<0.001
|
<0.001
|
|
Non-Omani
|
Men
|
|
|
|
|
|
18-24 years
|
23.6 (22.3-24.8)
|
125.1 (123.9-126.3)
|
77.9 (77.0-78.8)
|
4.3 (5.20-5.41)
|
4.1 (4.01-4.18)
|
25-34 years
|
26.1 (25.3-26.8)
|
129.1 (128.1-130.1)
|
84.1 (83.6-84.5)
|
5.4 (5.30-5.51)
|
4.3 (4.19-4.35)
|
35-44 years
|
26.5 (25.6-27.4)
|
133.1 (132.2-133.9)
|
85.6 (85.0-86.1)
|
5.8 (5.74-5.95)
|
4.7 (4.67-4.75)
|
45-54 years
|
27.3 (26.4-28.1)
|
134.8 (133.8-135.8)
|
86.7 (86.0-87.5)
|
6.5 (6.30-6.67)
|
4.8 (4.77-4.89)
|
55-64 years
|
27.6 (27.0-28.2)
|
148.0 (145.9-150.2)
|
92.0 (91.0-93.6)
|
7.4 (6.92-7.90)
|
4.8 (4.71-4.93)
|
65 years & above
|
26.6 (25.5-27.7)
|
145.1 (142.3-147.9)
|
87.9 (84.4-91.4)
|
10.1 (8.4-11.79)
|
4.2 (4.11-4.31)
|
p value for trend*
|
<0.001
|
<0.001
|
<0.001
|
<0.001
|
<0.001
|
Women
|
|
|
|
|
|
18-24 years
|
26.1 (23.4-28.7)
|
108.5 (106.3-110.6)
|
71.6 (69.6-73.5)
|
5.3 (5.14-5.41)
|
4.6 (4.41-4.76)
|
25-34 years
|
26.5 (25.9-27.2)
|
113.3 (112.2-114.3)
|
76.8 (75.8-77.7)
|
5.4 (5.31-5.49)
|
4.5 (4.42-4.55)
|
35-44 years
|
29.0 (27.9-30.1)
|
122.4 (120.4-124.5)
|
81.9 (80.6-83.2)
|
5.8 (5.69-5.96)
|
5.3 (5.13-5.47)
|
45-54 years
|
30.4 (29.2-31.6)
|
136.4 (132.2-141.4)
|
87.0 (84.9-89.2)
|
7.6 (7.12-8.16)
|
4.5 (4.39-4.65)
|
55-64 years
|
28.8 (27.3-30.5)
|
140.3 (133.1-147.6)
|
84.4 (81.8-87.0)
|
7.6 (7.10-8.14)
|
5.3 (5.06-5.59)
|
65 years & above
|
28.5 (27.9-29.0)
|
162.6 (159.9-165.2)
|
93.3 (91.6-95.1)
|
11.6 (8.83-14.32)
|
5.0 (4.66-5.26)
|
p value for trend*
|
<0.001
|
<0.001
|
<0.001
|
<0.001
|
0.016
|
†Body Mass Index; ∫Systolic Blood Pressure; ∆Diastolic Blood Pressure; ∏Blood Glucose; ≡Total Cholesterol; *p-value for trend adjusted for age
Raised blood pressure
The prevalence of raised blood pressure, including those on medication for raised blood pressure, was 33% (95% CI: 28.0-39.1) (Table 3). A higher prevalence was observed among men (39%, 95% CI: 32.0-46.4) than women (27%, 95% CI: 24.3-30.4). Omani (32%, 95% CI: 26.8-38.0) had a lower prevalence of raised blood pressure compared to non-Omani residents (37%, 95% CI: 32.2-41.1). The prevalence of raised blood pressure was found tending to significance (p = .058) by sex and nationality. The mean systolic and diastolic blood pressure was found to be gradually increasing among Omani & non-Omani residents’ men and women up to 64 years of age (Table 4).
Blood glucose
16% (95% CI: 15.1-16.3) of the survey participants were found to have raised blood glucose (Table 3). The prevalence was slightly higher among women (16%, 95% CI: 15.2-16.9) than men (15%, 95% CI: 14.5-16.3). A lower prevalence of raised blood glucose was seen in Omani (15%, 95% CI: 13.8-15.3) as compared to non-Omani residents (19%, 95% CI: 17.8-19.9). Impaired glycaemia was prevalent among 12% (95% CI: 11.1-12.2) of the population. Higher prevalences were observed among women (12.6%, 95% CI: 11.9-13.3) and non-Omani residents (13%, 95% CI: 11.7-13.3) as compared to men (11%, 95% CI: 10.5-11.6) and Omani (12%, 95% CI: 11.0-12.1), respectively. The prevalence of raised blood glucose was found statistically significant (p <0.05) by sex and nationality. The mean blood glucose level estimate is gradually increasing with age among Omani & non-Omani residents’ men and women (Table 4).
Raised total cholesterol
The overall prevalence of raised total cholesterol in the population was 36% (95% CI: 34.7-36.3) (Table 3). The prevalence was higher among women (40%, 95% CI: 38.3-40.7) than men (32%, 95% CI: 30.8-33.0). Higher prevalence was also observed in Omani (37%, 95% CI: 36.0-38.0) than non-Omani residents (31%, 95% CI: 30.1-32.8) population. The prevalence of raised total cholesterol was found statistically significant (p <0.05) by sex and nationality. The total cholesterol mean level was also increasing with age among Omani men and women and non-Omani residents’ men and women up to 64 years of age (Table 4).
Combined Risk Factors
Combined risk factor analysis was performed with five components: current daily smokers, consumption of less than 5 servings of fruit and vegetables per day, insufficient physical activity, overweight or obesity, and raised blood pressure or currently on medication for raised blood pressure. The analysis of combined risk factors revealed that 95% of the population had more than one risk factor (Table 5). Overall, it was found that 33% (95% CI: 26.6-40.4) of the population had three or more risk factors for chronic disease. The overall percentage of three or more risk factors was found to be increasing with age up among the survey population.
(95% CI: 39.6-64).
Table 5: Summary of combined risk factors by sex, nationality, and age groups
Age Category
|
0 NCD risk factors
|
3 or more of the NCD risk factors
|
Sex
|
Nationality
|
Overall
|
Sex
|
Nationality
|
Overall
|
Men
|
Women
|
Omani
|
Non-Omani
|
Men
|
Women
|
Omani
|
Non-Omani
|
18 years & above (%)
|
4.9
(2.5-9.3)
|
5.4
(2.8-10.2)
|
5.5
(3.1-9.5)
|
4.3
(3.0-6.1)
|
5.1
(3.2-8.1)
|
35.3
(28.8-42.5)
|
30.6
(23.0-39.5)
|
32
(24.3-40.9)
|
36.1
(32.9-39.5)
|
33.2
(26.6-40.4)
|
18 - 24 years (%)
|
10.1
(4.5-21.1)
|
8.3
(3.7-17.5)
|
8.8
(4.8-15.7)
|
13.2
(5.6-28)
|
9.3
(5.5-15.1)
|
19.9
(12.4-30.3)
|
19.7
(11.5-31.8)
|
19.2
(13.3-27.0)
|
25.2
(15.2-38.8)
|
19.8
(13.9-27.4)
|
25 - 34 years (%)
|
5.8
(2.5-13.1)
|
7.0 (3.3-14.0)
|
7.4
(3.5-15.2)
|
4.1
(2.4-7.1)
|
6.3
(3.2-11.9)
|
29.3
(22.1-37.8)
|
20.5
(11.2-34.5)
|
25.5
(15.8-38.3)
|
26.0 (22.5-29.9)
|
25.7
(18.5-34.4)
|
35 - 44 years (%)
|
3.1
(1.4-6.7)
|
4.8
(2.3-9.8)
|
4.1
(2.4-6.8)
|
3.5
(2.4-5.1)
|
3.9
(2.7-5.6)
|
41.3
(35.0-48.0)
|
30.7
(24.8-37.4)
|
37.1
(29.9-45.0)
|
34.8
(29.6-40.5)
|
36.4
(31.0-42.1)
|
45 - 54 years (%)
|
3.9
(2.5-6.2)
|
1.3
(0.4-4.7)
|
2.5
(0.8-7.9)
|
0.5
(0-5.9)
|
2.8
(1.8-4.3)
|
40.6
(32.4-49.3)
|
39.5
(28.9-51.2)
|
34.0
(22.9-47.2)
|
52.4
(45.5-59.1)
|
40.1
(31.6-49.3)
|
55 - 64 years (%)
|
1.9
(0.4-8.2)
|
2.1
(0.5-8.6)
|
5.2
(1.5-16.4)
|
-
|
2.0
(0.6-7.1)
|
49.3
(36.2-62.6)
|
46.7
(31.9-62.1)
|
46.1
(29.1-64.0)
|
54.5
(44.0-64.6)
|
48.0
(35.1-61.2)
|
65 years & above (%)
|
0.9
(0.1-5.9)
|
7.7
(2.7-19.9)
|
5.5
(3.1-9.5)
|
-
|
4.7
(1.5-13.8)
|
50.7
(33.3-67.9)
|
52.9
(41.4-64.1)
|
51.4
(38.0-64.5)
|
56.1
(42.0-69.3)
|
51.9
(39.6-64)
|