EPIDEMIOLOGY OF NON-

COMMUNICABLE DISEASES:
NCDS
Are NCDs a problem in Ghana?
How many NCDs do you know?
Are there more cases of NCDs or CDs?
Have you heard of the Double Burden of
Disease?
DEFINITION AND SCOPE OF
EPIDEMIOLOGY

Epi-upon
Demos-people
Logos-thought
DEFINITION OF EPIDEMIOLOGY

“ The distribution and determinants

of health related events in a
specified human population and
the application of this study to
control health problems”.
(LAST, 1988)
SCOPE OF EPIDEMIOLOGY:
Traditionally-associated with infectious
disease. (Acute and chronic)
Now include variables that contribute to
the maintenance of health.
At risk groups for non infectious
diseases as cancer & stroke.
Psychosocial problems e.g drug abuse
etc,
SCOPE OF EPIDEMIOLOGY

Occupational injuries and

environmental issues
Planning and evaluation of health
policy and plans.
Health decision making process.
Determinants of health e.g
Nutrition, Age etc
PURPOSE OF EPIDEMIOLOGY:-
THE 4WS AND H
 WHO get the disease (Population most
affected age and sex distribution)
 WHAT is the disease or what is causing the
disease (diagnosis)
 WHERE is the epidemic (geographical
location /distribution)
 WHEN does the disease occur (season)
 HOW is the disease transmitted
NON-COMMUNICABLE DISEASES:
 Hereditary
 Acquired
Idiopathic

Precipitated by environment/lifestyle

 Endocrine & Metabolic Disorders

 Cancers,
 Hypertension;
 Stroke;
 Road Traffic Accidents
MAIN CAUSES OF DEATH IN GHANA
PROJECTED: 2005
NAME TOTAL DEATHS

Communicable, maternal,
122,715
perinatal, nutritional conditions
Cardiovascular diseases 36,138
Other Chronic Diseases 25,262
Injuries 18,226
Malignant neoplasms 14,271
MAIN CAUSES OF DEATH IN
GHANA
PROJECTED: 2030

NAME TOTAL DEATHS

Communicable, maternal,
121,675
perinatal, nutritional conditions
Cardiovascular diseases 66,597
Other Chronic Diseases 44,567
Malignant neoplasms 31,870
Injuries 29,337
NCDS KEY FACTS
 Non communicable diseases (NCDs) kill
41 million people each year, equivalent to
71% of all deaths globally.
 Each year, 15 million people die from a
NCD between the ages of 30 and 69 years;
over 85% of these "premature" deaths
occur in low- and middle-income
countries.
NCDS KEY FACTS
 Cardiovascular diseases account for most
NCD deaths, or 17.9 million people
annually, followed by cancers (9.0
million), respiratory diseases (3.9million),
and diabetes (1.6 million).
 These 4 groups of diseases account for
over 80% of all premature NCD deaths.
 WHO, WHERE, WHEN, WHAT, HOW
 Who?
People of all age groups, These conditions are often
associated with older age groups, but evidence shows
that 15 million of all deaths attributed to NCDs occur
between the ages of 30 and 69 years.
 Where?
All regions and countries are affected by NCDs.
 When?
NCDs have no seasonal variations
 What? How?
Will be discussed with specific NCDs
PREVENTION AND CONTROL OF NCDS
 An important way to control NCDs is to
focus on reducing the risk factors
associated with these diseases.
 Low-cost solutions exist for governments
and other stakeholders to reduce the
common modifiable risk factors.
 Investing in better management of NCDs
is critical. includes detecting, screening
and treating these diseases,
VID-20170504-WA0003.mp4