Spatial Distribution and Behavioural Causes with Prevention of Non-Communicable Diseases in Urban Populations: A Case Study of Salamulla, Kolonnawa, Colombo, Sri Lanka
Abstract
At present, non-communicable diseases record an extreme prevalence around the world, and Salamulla Grama Niladhari Division is no exception. Therefore, this study aimed to identify the spatial distribution of non-communicable diseases in Salamulla, effect of the behaviour and lifestyle of urban population on the occurrence of NCDs, most common non-communicable diseases, and the prevention measures taken by the community and the government. The mix-method approach was employed, collecting primary data through questionnaire surveys and semi-structured interviews. Analysis was performed by displaying GPS locations, creating kernel density maps through ArcGIS Pro 3.2, performing descriptive statistics with histogram through IBM SPSS 21 and MS Excel 2016, and thematic analysis. The findings indicate that the distribution of NCDs in Salmulla spans the South-eastern, Western, Central, North-western, and Northern regions. South-eastern, North-western regions and central area, which were urbanised during a 10-year period, are the highest kernel density areas recorded from the majority of NCDs. Gastritis is the most abundant non-communicable disease. Further, internal factors like bad habits, attitudes, age, posture, occupation, daily activities, socio-economic status, parenthood, and external factors like religious ideologies, food patterns, and physical activities were identified. It indicates that the behaviour and lifestyle of respondents play a significant role in the prevalence of NCDs. The community takes preventative interventions like controlling sugar and/or salt intake, and meditation. Government contributes by distributing pots for cultivation and implementing awareness programmes to address the issue.
