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A Study on Behavioral Risk Factors of Non-Communicable Diseases among Rural School Going Adolescents in a Block of Hooghly District, West Bengal

Introduction: Cost effective interventions (educational and behavioural interventions) for the reduction of non-communicable diseases risk factors should be promoted especially in the low and middle income countries such as India.
Method: A pre-designed and pre-tested questionnaire was used in class-room setting to collect information from students regarding their socio- demographic characteristics and presence of behavioral risk factors of non-communicable diseases.
Results: A total of 761 students of class VI-XII participated in the study of which 61.4% were boys and rests were girls. Most common risk factor was ‘intake of extra salt with food’ (54.7%), followed by fast food intake >3 times/week (33.8%). Statistical analysis by chi square test revealed that extra salt intake, tobacco use and alcohol use was significantly associated with age. Similarly, sex of the students was significantly associated with tobacco use, alcohol use and physical activity (p <0.05). Father’s education was significantly associated with extra salt intake in food. Mother’s education was significantly associated with unsatisfactory intake of fruits and vegetables (< 5 times/week), extra salt intakes in food and tobacco use (p <0.05). Father’s occupation was significantly associated with fast food intakes and physical activity whereas mother’s occupation had significant association with tobacco use (p <0.05).
Conclusion: Healthy children are the foundation for a healthy nation. The universal belief is that schools are designated as an important setting in which children should develop behaviour and skills for physical, emotional and social well-being.

Keywords: Adolescents, Behavioral Risk factor, Socio- Demographic characteristics, Rural school.