Introduction
In recent years, noncommunicable diseases (NCDs) have increased, especially in the Aseer Region. The key examples of NCDs include cardiovascular disease, cancer, and diabetes. Pulmonary diseases are also another example of NCDs that have been prevalent in Saidi Arabia. According to the statistics, the life expectancy in Saudi Arabia increased to 75% (Alqunaibet et al., 2021). While Saudi Arabia has a population of over 35 million, a third constitute a population of young adults. A population of people over the age of 60 years constitute only 4% of the total population. However, this number is anticipated to be triggered and increased by at least 20% by 2050. With this anticipated increase in the aged population, NCDs will mainly experience an increased prevalence. The healthcare system needs to develop appropriate measures to address this prevalence of NCDs.
Q.1. What is the prevalence of non-communicable diseases in Saudi Arabia and the Aseer Region?
While NCDs are among the common causes of death in the world, this health issue dramatically affects the Saudi Arabian population. NCDs significantly increase the nation’s health burden. According to the statistics, NCDs have also had a heavy impact on death rates and disability-adjusted life years (DALYs). Biological and behavioural risk factors impact NCD incidence in Saudi Arabia (Alqunaibet et al., 2021). The most modifiable behavioural risk factors include tobacco use. Another common risk factor for NCDs is poor nutrition, which affects the majority of the population in Saudi Arabia, especially in the Aseer Region.
The Aseer Region of Saudi Arabia’s NCD incidence and risk factors reflect regional and national trends. The Aseer Region is renowned for its distinct climate and topography. Diabetes and obesity are becoming more common. Lowering the burden of NCDs also requires preventative actions and healthcare facilities tailored to the local area. NCD prevention in Saudi Arabia, especially in Aseer, must be comprehensive. These measures should enhance healthcare, develop public health programs, and engage the populace. Healthy lifestyles, early risk factor detection and control, and effective healthcare services are crucial (Alqunaibet et al., 2021). National and regional NCD prevention initiatives include tobacco control, dietary changes, physical activity promotion, and obesity reduction. To manage no NCDs in the Aseer Region and Saudi Arabia, socioeconomic determinants of health, fair access to healthcare, and culturally acceptable health promotion activities must be addressed.
Q.2.Explain what preventive measures you can use to halt the increasing trend of Diabetes Mellitus in KSA.
One preventative strategy to stop the rise of diabetes mellitus is to promote physical activity. Increasing exercise is essential for avoiding diabetes. Campaigns for public health should promote regular exercise by emphasizing its advantages and increasing accessibility and appeal for physical activity for all populations (World Health Organization, 2022). This may be accomplished by creating gender-sensitive and age-appropriate community centres, public parks, and sports facilities. Programs such as “Walk to School” for kids and scheduled community sports activities can encourage a culture of physical exercise. Furthermore, including physical education in the curriculum might help establish the habit of exercising from an early age.
Another preventive action is the implementation of food laws and the provision of nutritional education information. It is possible to significantly reduce the prevalence of diabetes by encouraging healthier eating habits by implementing nutritional education and control measures. According to the International Health Organization (2022), public health campaigns should emphasize the importance of consuming a diet that is low in sugar and healthy. In addition, labelling all food products according to government requirements might be of great significance. Encouraging the consumption of traditional diets could also be beneficial.
Furthermore, diabetes mellitus can be prevented by bolstering healthcare infrastructures. Several tactics are needed to improve diabetes management and prevention within the healthcare system. These include incorporating diabetes preventive techniques into essential healthcare services, expanding the accessibility of diabetes screening programs, and educating medical personnel on the early identification and management of diabetes (Saud et al., 2023). Specialized diabetes clinics might be established inside current healthcare institutions to offer patients who are at risk-focused treatment and education.
Q.3. Describe how you can prevent or control Obesity in KSA concerning each level of prevention. (Primordial, Primary, secondary and tertiary).
The intervention measure, which includes primordial, primary, secondary, and tertiary levels, aims to prevent obesity and its health conditions.
Primordial Prevention
The goal is to reduce the risk factors that lead to obesity before they become apparent. The implementation of legislation and the modification of society in ways that promote healthy living conditions are both necessary steps in this direction. The Kingdom of Saudi Arabia may continue to encourage quality-of-life initiatives emphasizing regular physical activity and a healthy diet as part of the Vision 2030 strategy. It is also crucial that education programs that enlighten both parents and children about the benefits of maintaining a healthy diet and engaging in regular physical activity are implemented at this level.
Primary Prevention
The main goal of prevention is to keep those who are at risk from becoming obese in the first place. Promoting active commuting, providing access to fitness centres, and establishing physical education programs in schools for kids of both sexes are all examples of approaches that could serve this purpose. People can be supported in making well-informed decisions regarding their diets by implementing legislation such as the inclusion of calorie counts on menus and the imposition of excise charges on beverages that require the addition of sugar. These are two examples of legislation that can be implemented. One of the most significant steps that should be made in order to reinforce this attempt is to provide support to community-based projects that encourage regular physical exercise and a nutritious diet.
SecondaryPrevention
The goal of secondary prevention is to stop the advancement of obesity by detecting it early and taking appropriate action. Taking this method may involve doing routine screenings for obesity and its associated risk factors and providing individual counselling on diet and physical exercise. Medical practitioners may use these opportunities to identify those in danger and provide early therapies to prevent further weight gain.
Tertiary Prevention
This strategy focuses on those who are already obese to control the illness and avert consequences. When necessary, this entails medical therapy for obesity in addition to co-occurring disease management for diabetes and hypertension. Dietary advice is among the programs that are essential in the management of obesity. One can also ensure physical therapy as another crucial prevention measure for obesity management.
References
Alqunaibet, A., Herbst, C., El-Saharty, S., & Algwizani, A. (2021). INTERNATIONAL DEVELOPMENT IN FOCUS Noncommunicable Diseases in Saudi Arabia Toward Effective Interventions for Prevention. https://openknowledge.worldbank.org/server/api/core/bitstreams/8d0e50ff-c223-5c12-aabf-2c631777afcd/content
Althumiri, N. A., Basyouni, M. H., AlMousa, N., AlJuwaysim, M. F., Almubark, R. A., BinDhim, N. F., Alkhamaali, Z., & Alqahtani, S. A. (2021). Obesity in Saudi Arabia in 2020: Prevalence, Distribution, and Its Current Association with Various Health Conditions. Healthcare (Basel, Switzerland), 9(3), 311. https://doi.org/10.3390/healthcare9030311
Saud Al Sifri, Raed Aldahash, Roman, L., Amin, A., María Camprubi-Robles, Kerr, K. W., Juusti-Hawkes, A., & Beresniak, A. (2023). We are optimizing Diabetes Management Using a Low-Calorie Diet in Saudi Arabia: A Cost-Benefit Analysis. Diabetes Therapy. https://doi.org/10.1007/s13300-023-01495-1
World Health Organization. (2022, September 16). Diabetes. Www.who.int. https://www.who.int/news-room/fact-sheets/detail/diabetes#:~:text=A%20healthy%20diet%2C%20regular%20physical
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