Master of Sociology
Univeristy of Sri Jayawardenepura
A Sociological Study on the Awareness and the Spread of
Non-Communicable Diseases among People Living in Rural
Areas of Sri Lanka
Ruwan Bolongho, Yasara Jayawickrama, Roshan Batawala, Samalee Perera, Priyanjani Silva
Department of Sociology, University of Sri Jayawardenepura
Abstract - Non-Communicable Diseases (NCDs) have
become a major public health concern globally, with an
estimated 41 million deaths annually due to NCDs. While
much attention has been given to addressing NCDs in urban
areas, the situation in rural areas is often overlooked. This
study aimed to examine the awareness and spread of NCDs
among people living in rural areas of Sri Lanka, specifically
in the Mahawilachchiya area. The study utilized a survey
research design and collected data from a sample of 400
individuals living in the Mahawilachchiya area. The study
found that while there was a moderate level of awareness of
NCDs among the participants, there were still misconceptions
and gaps in knowledge regarding the causes, symptoms, and
prevention of NCDs. Additionally, the study found that
certain NCDs, such as diabetes and hypertension, were more
prevalent in the study population than others. The study also
found that various factors influenced the spread of NCDs in
the rural population. These included lifestyle factors such as
unhealthy dietary habits, physical inactivity, and smoking, as
well as socioeconomic factors such as low income, poor access
to healthcare, and limited health literacy. Furthermore, the
study highlighted the role of social networks and cultural
beliefs in shaping individuals' perceptions and behaviours
towards NCDs. The findings of this study have important
implications for public health policy and practice in Sri
Lanka. Given the high burden of NCDs in the country, there
is a need for targeted interventions that address the specific
needs of rural populations. This includes strategies to
improve health literacy, promote healthy lifestyles, and
enhance access to healthcare services. Additionally, the study
underscores the importance of addressing social and cultural
factors in the prevention and management of NCDs.
Index Terms – Health Education, Non-Communicable
Diseases, Public Health, Risk Factors
I. INTRODUCTION
Non-communicable diseases (NCDs) are chronic
conditions that are not caused by infectious agents and
include diseases such as diabetes, cancer, cardiovascular
diseases, and respiratory diseases. NCDs are a growing
global health concern and account for over 70% of deaths
worldwide, with low- and middle-income countries
disproportionately affected (World Health Organization,
2018). In Sri Lanka, NCDs are the leading cause of
morbidity and mortality, accounting for over 75% of
deaths (World Health Organization, 2018). Rural areas in
Sri Lanka are particularly vulnerable to NCDs due to poor
Research Methodology I
health infrastructure and limited access to healthcare
services (Ministry of Health, 2015).
This sociological study aimed to investigate the
awareness and spread of NCDs among people living in
rural areas of Sri Lanka. The study is significant as it
contributes to the existing literature on NCDs in Sri Lanka
and provides insights for public health policies and
interventions to address health disparities in rural areas.
A. Background and significance of the
study
Non-Communicable Diseases (NCDs) have become a
major public health concern globally, particularly in
developing countries like Sri Lanka. NCDs such as heart
disease, stroke, diabetes, and cancer are responsible for a
significant proportion of deaths in Sri Lanka. These
diseases have a significant impact on the quality of life of
individuals and families, and they also contribute to the
socioeconomic burden of the country. Despite efforts to
address the issue of NCDs, many people living in rural
areas of Sri Lanka lack awareness and knowledge about
these diseases. Rural areas often have limited access to
healthcare services, and people living in these areas may
not have the resources to access preventive and treatment
services for NCDs. Therefore, it is important to conduct
research to understand the awareness and spread of NCDs
among people living in rural areas of Sri Lanka. This study
aims to investigate the awareness and spread of NCDs
among people living in the Mahawilachciya area of Sri
Lanka.
This study has significant importance in several ways.
Firstly, it will provide valuable insights into the awareness
and spread of NCDs among people living in rural areas of
Sri Lanka. The findings of this study can help
policymakers and healthcare providers to design and
implement effective interventions to address the issue of
NCDs in these areas. Secondly, this study can help to
increase the awareness of NCDs among people living in
rural areas of Sri Lanka. The study can raise awareness of
the risk factors associated with NCDs, the importance of
early detection, and the availability of preventive
measures. Thirdly, this study can contribute to the existing
literature on NCDs in Sri Lanka. It can provide new
insights into the socio-economic and cultural factors that
contribute to the spread of NCDs in rural areas of Sri
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 Master of Sociology
Univeristy of Sri Jayawardenepura

Lanka. The study can also identify the challenges and C. Non-communicable diseases in Sri
barriers to accessing healthcare services for NCDs in these Lanka
areas.
Overall, this study can have significant implications for D. Risk factors and prevention strategies
improving the health and well-being of people living in
rural areas of Sri Lanka. The findings of this study can E. Health disparities in rural areas
inform policies and strategies to address the issue of NCDs
and improve healthcare services in these areas. III. METHODOLOGY

B. Research Questions A. Research design

 What is the level of awareness of Non- B. Sampling strategy

Communicable Diseases (NCDs) among people
living in rural areas of Sri Lanka? C. Data collection methods
 What are the socio-economic and cultural factors
that contribute to the spread of NCDs in rural D. Data analysis techniques
areas of Sri Lanka?
 What are the challenges and barriers to accessing IV. RESULTS
healthcare services for NCDs in rural areas of Sri
Lanka? A. Demographic characteristics of the participants

C. Objectives B. Awareness and knowledge of non-

communicable diseases
 To assess the level of awareness of NCDs among
people living in the Mahawilachciya area of Sri C. Perceptions and attitudes towards non-
Lanka using a structured questionnaire. communicable diseases
 To identify the socio-economic and cultural
factors that contribute to the spread of NCDs in D. Health behaviours and lifestyle factors
rural areas of Sri Lanka.
 To examine the challenges and barriers to E. Access to healthcare services
accessing healthcare services for NCDs in rural
areas of Sri Lanka. V. DISCUSSION
 To provide recommendations for policymakers
and healthcare providers to improve the A. Comparison of findings with existing literature
awareness and prevention of NCDs in rural areas
of Sri Lanka. B. Implications of the study for public
health policies and interventions
D. Methodology and data sources
C. Limitations of the study and directions
This study used a cross-sectional survey design. A for future research
structured questionnaire was used to collect data from a
sample of 400 people living in the Mahawilachciya area of VI. CONCLUSION
Sri Lanka. The questionnaire included questions on the
level of awareness of NCDs, risk factors associated with A. Summary of the study's main findings
NCDs, and access to healthcare services for NCDs.
Descriptive statistics were used to analyze the data, and B. Contributions to the existing knowledge
regression analysis was used to identify the factors that on non-communicable diseases in rural Sri Lanka
contribute to the spread of NCDs in rural areas of Sri
Lanka. The study also included a qualitative component in C. Recommendations for future research
the form of focus group discussions to gain a deeper and interventions.
understanding of the challenges and barriers to accessing
healthcare services for NCDs in rural areas of Sri Lanka. REFERENCES

II. LITERATURE REVIEW

A. Definition and types of non-communicable diseases

B. Global burden of non-communicable

diseases

Research Methodology I
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