Prevalence and correlates of multiple non-communicable diseases risk factors among male and female adults in Sudan: results of the first national STEPS survey in 2016

Background: Non-communicable diseases (NCDs) are on the rise in low- and middle-income countries. The aim of this study was to assess the prevalence and correlates of multiple NCD risk factors (inadequate fruit and vegetable intake, low physical activity, tobacco use, heavy alcohol use, diabetes, hypertension, raised total cholesterol and overweight/obesity) among adults in Sudan. Methods: We conducted a cross-sectional study using nationally representative data. The analytic cohort included 7,722 participants who were between the ages of 18-69 years old individuals (median age=36 years) that took part in the "2016 Sudan STEPS survey." Results: In all, 34.2% had 0-1 NCD risk factor, 33.5% 2 risk factors, and 32.4% 3 or more NCD risk factors. In adjusted ordinal logistic regression analysis, the odds of having a higher count of NCD risk factors increased from 2.04 to 3.52 from the age group of 35-49 years to age group of 50-69 years when compared to the younger people aged 18-34 years. Men had higher odds (1.21) of higher NCD risk factor count than women. Individuals residing in urban areas had higher odds (1.86) of higher NCD risk factor count than individuals residing in rural areas. Conclusion: Almost one in three participants had three or more NCD risk factors and several associated variables were identified for men and women that can facilitate in designing intervention programmes.