This document discusses descriptive epidemiology methods for studying non-communicable diseases. It begins by defining non-communicable diseases as chronic conditions like cancer, heart disease, diabetes, and lung disease. It then describes the main types of non-communicable diseases and their risk factors. Key characteristics are discussed, such as complex etiology, multiple risk factors, and long-term consequences. The document outlines modifiable and non-modifiable risk factors. It concludes by explaining how descriptive epidemiology studies the patterns of non-communicable diseases in terms of person, place, and time in order to identify problems and plan health services and interventions.

1. EXPLAIN DESCRIPTIVE EPIDEMIOLOGY
METHOD IN CONTEXT OF NON
COMMUNICABLE DISEASE
Ms. Chandani Nigam
Assistant professor, pharmacology
Hygia institute of pharmaceutical education & research, Lucknow
Email id: chandaninigam995@gmail.com

2. INTRODUCTION
Non-communicable diseases (NCDs), also known as chronic diseases, are
non-transmissible diseases of often long duration. The term NCDs
refers to a group of conditions that are not mainly caused by an acute
infection, result in long-term health consequences and often create a
need for long-term treatment and care. These conditions
include cancers, cardiovascular disease, diabetes and chronic lung
illnesses, chronic neurologic disorders, arthritis.

3. TYPES OF NON-COMMUNICABLE DISEASES
These are the main types of non-communicable diseases and the
associated risk factors:
• Cardiovascular diseases. Cardiovascular diseases account for the most
non-communicable disease deaths. ...
• Diabetes. ...
• Preventable cancers. ...
• Chronic respiratory diseases. ...
• Mental health conditions. ...
• Injuries.

4. CHARACTERISTICS OF NON COMMUNICABLE DISEASES
• Complex etiology
• Multiple risk factor
• Long latency period
• Non contagious origin
• Prolonged course of illness
• Functional impairment or disability
• Incurability
• Insidious onset

5. RISK FACTORS OF NCD
1. Modifiable risk factors of NCD
 Lifestyle – Cigarette smoking ,excessive alcohol, dietary patterns,
Physical inactivity
 Environmental – Occupational hazards, radiation, Other pollutants
 Failure or inability to get preventive health services such as: –Screening,
early treatment
 Stress factors
 Recently identified aetiological factors –Viral carcinogenesis
 HPV, Epstei
2. Non-modifiable risk factors
 Family history
 Advancing agent barr virus, HIV

6. DESCRIPTIVE EPIDEMIOLOGY METHOD OF NON
COMMUNICABLE DISEASE
 Studies the pattern of health events and their frequency in
populations in terms of:
• Person: Age young drivers (15-24yrs), Male>Female.
• Place: -world wide
-Endemic and epidemic patterns in Nigeria
-700,000 lost yearly to RTA worldwide.
• Time: Weekends, Nights, Festive periods
 Purpose:
-To identify problems for further study
– To plan, provide, and evaluate health services

7. Prevention and Control
 Directed at host:
• Health education: to drivers, pedestrian and passengers on road signs.
• Lifestyle modification: stop smoking, alcohol and other drugs while
driving.
• Imposing penalties for smokers and drug abusers
• Use of preventive measures while driving such as seat belt
•Vehicle design and maintenance
 Prevention and Control Environment:
• Road maintenance (FEPA)
• Law enforcement agencies: FRSC, POLICE, e.t.c.
• Enforcement of driving test, medical fitness, vehicular inspection e.t.c
• Conducting Researches on RTA and its determinants
• Traffic rule and regulations

8. DIABETICS
• Group of metabolic diseases in which there is high blood sugar over a prolonged period.
• Fasting blood sugar ; 2.2 – 6.1mmol/l and Radom blood sugar is 7.8 -11.1 mmol/l.
• It produces symptoms of frequent urination, increased thirst and increased hunger.
• Long term complications can affect the eyes, kidney, heart or cause foot ulcer
HYPERTENSION
• Most important contributor to CVD sickness and death
• Affects 1 billion people worldwide
• Approx. 7.1 million deaths per year attributable to HT
• 95% cases essential while 20% cases secondary to renal/endocrime diseases
• Uncontrolled Blood Pressure can lead to stroke, Congestive Heart failure, Renal failure,
retinopathy e.t.c.....