Download Lifestyle Risk Factor profiles of Milne Bay Provincial Health Authority

Lifestyle Risk Factor profiles of Milne Bay Provincial Health Authority staff (PNG) a snapshot
Recent WHO data has estimated the burden of chronic disease in PNG to equate to roughly 38% of
all deaths in 2005 and predicted that with rising risk factors such as overweight and obesity, these
preventable deaths are expected to increase in coming years. The AT40 lifestyle clinic was
established at Alotau General Hospital to prevent chronic disease by providing counselling on
healthy lifestyle and providing education on decreasing risk factors for chronic disease. Ethics was
granted to collect the data. Measurements were collected By Community Health Worker and
Nursing Officer during normal clinic hours and data was collated and analysed by the Dietitian.
Results were compared with international standards used within the clinic. In total 157 staff
attended the clinic to have their risk profiles collected, 31 were excluded due to incomplete data
collection. Lifestyle Risk factors including Chewing Buai and Diet High in Salt Fat and Sugar proved to
be the highest risk factors in our study population (74% and 90% respectively). Just under 50% of the
study population also reported high stress levels. Anthropometric measures of BMI (38%) and WC
(48%) were the highest objective risk factors, followed by Biochemical markers of High HbA1c (16%)
and high Triglycerides (12%). While limitations exist in the study data, results clearly show a high
proportion of chronic disease risk associated with lifestyle choices. Effective evidence based
interventions exist and are currently being practiced at the clinic to educate the population on
Chronic disease, and measures to prevent and/or manage risk factors. Future studies should analyse
the impact of these interventions on the population. Preliminary data shows the people who access
the clinic are successful in changing their lifestyle habits to decrease risk, but more studies are
required to determine long term outcomes and effectiveness.