Distribution and determinants of non communicable diseases among elderly Uyghur ethnic group in Xinjiang, China.

Non-communicable diseases (NCDs) are showing an increasing trend globally as well as in China. Elderly population are more prone to these NCDs. Situation in China is worse owing to the higher proportion of geriatric population. Burden of NCDs and the role of their socio-demographic and behavioral predictors among these elderly and more so among the ethnic minority groups among them, need to be investigated specifically, owing to their distinct genetic background, lifestyles and behavior.A cross-sectional study was conducted among 1329 randomly selected persons of Uyghur ethnicity, aged 60 years or more in Xinjiang, the largest administrative division in China to measure the burden of NCDs, understand the distribution of socio-demographic, behavioral and life event-related potential correlates of them and to estimate the association of the NCDs with these correlates.Among these participants 54.2% were female, 86.8% were married and more than half had only attended elementary school or less. 41.46% was suffering from at least one NCD. 20.22% had one NCD, 12.11% had two and 8.58% had three or more. 27.3% had hypertension, 4.06% had diabetes, 6.02% had hyperlipidemia, 7.37% had angina, 14.52% had cardiovascular diseases, 11.59% had any kind of cancers and 9.78% had chronic obstructive pulmonary diseases. Rural residents (OR = 1.45, 95% CI: 1.17-1.80, AOR = 2.00, 95% CI: 1.53-2.61) and current smokers had higher odds of having more NCDs (AOR = 1.53, 95% CI: 1.00-2.34). Additionally not being satisfied with current life, not being able to take care of self in daily life, currently not being involved in farm work, less intake of fresh vegetables, fruits and garlic, too less or too much salt intake, not having hobbies were found to be positively associated with having more NCDs.Implementation of effective intervention strategies to promote healthy life styles among the Uyghur elderly population of China seems urgent

Sociodemographic characteristics and prevalence of diseases among Uyghur elderly (60 or older) in Xinjiang Uyghur Autonomous Region, China (N = 1329), 2011.

<p>Sociodemographic characteristics and prevalence of diseases among Uyghur elderly (60 or older) in Xinjiang Uyghur Autonomous Region, China (N = 1329), 2011.</p

Behaviors and life events of Uyghur elderly (60 or older) in Xinjiang Uyghur Autonomous Region, China (N = 1329), 2011.

<p>Behaviors and life events of Uyghur elderly (60 or older) in Xinjiang Uyghur Autonomous Region, China (N = 1329), 2011.</p

Flow Chart of the recruitment of the elderly Uyghur in Xinjiang Uyghur Autonomous Religion, China (N = 1329), 2011.

<p>Flow Chart of the recruitment of the elderly Uyghur in Xinjiang Uyghur Autonomous Religion, China (N = 1329), 2011.</p

Prevalence of different kind of NCDs among different age among Uyghur elderly in Xinjiang Uyghur Autonomous Region, China (N = 1329), 2011.

<p>Prevalence of different kind of NCDs among different age among Uyghur elderly in Xinjiang Uyghur Autonomous Region, China (N = 1329), 2011.</p

Behaviors, life events and satisfaction levels among recruited Uyghur elderly of Xinjiang, China (N = 1329).

<p>Behaviors, life events and satisfaction levels among recruited Uyghur elderly of Xinjiang, China (N = 1329).</p

Disparity of geriatric depression between urban and rural Uyghur elderly in Xinjiang, China (N = 1329).

<p>Disparity of geriatric depression between urban and rural Uyghur elderly in Xinjiang, China (N = 1329).</p

Flow Chart of Home-based Screening of the Elderly Residents of Uyghur Ethnicity in Xinjiang, China.

<p>Flow Chart of Home-based Screening of the Elderly Residents of Uyghur Ethnicity in Xinjiang, China.</p

Demographics and geriatric depression prevalence among recruited Uyghur elderly of Xinjiang, China (N = 1329).

<p>Demographics and geriatric depression prevalence among recruited Uyghur elderly of Xinjiang, China (N = 1329).</p

Burden and correlates of geriatric depression in the Uyghur elderly population, observation from Xinjiang, China.

With the gradual aging of the population, geriatric depression has become a major public health issue in China owing to its overall upward trend and associated negative socio-economic impact. Dearth of information regarding the burden and correlates of geriatric depression among Uyghur minority population in Xinjiang Autonomous Region, called for a comprehensive survey involving representative sample for designing efficient targeted intervention to control this disabling disease