Published Paper Details:

This study addresses the prevalence and risk factors of non-communicable diseases (NCDs) among tea garden workers in the West Tripura district, India. NCDs, including cardiovascular diseases, cancers, chronic respiratory diseases, and diabetes, account for 71% of global deaths, with a significant burden in low and middle-income countries like India, where they are responsible for 63% of fatalities. The World Health Organization (WHO) developed the STEP approach to monitor NCD risk factors, which was employed in this study to understand the health challenges faced by tea garden workers. The research was conducted from March 2019 to February 2020 among 225 tea garden workers aged 21-60 years, using a multistage stratified random sampling method. Data collection included demographic details, lifestyle habits, and clinical measurements, following the WHO STEP protocol. Key findings revealed that 81.33% of participants used tobacco, and 69.33% consumed alcohol, with a significant overlap between these habits. Physical activity levels were generally high, with 83.56% engaging in vigorous activities. However, 60% consumed fewer than five servings of fruits and vegetables daily. The study found that 20% of participants had hypertension, with a higher prevalence in men (22.22%) compared to women (17.95%). Among those with hypertension, 86.24% were newly diagnosed during the study. Chronic energy deficiency (CED) was prevalent, with 39.86% of males and 50.52% of females affected, indicating critical nutritional problems. Despite high physical activity levels, 45.99% of the population was undernourished, with a significant portion in a subnormal state of health. The findings underscore the vulnerability of tea garden workers to NCDs due to socio-economic and occupational factors. High tobacco and alcohol use, combined with poor dietary habits, contribute to the NCD burden. Recommendations include improving healthcare access, implementing health education programs, introducing occupational health interventions, and advocating for policy reforms to improve living and working conditions. In conclusion, the high prevalence of NCDs among tea garden workers in West Tripura highlights the need for targeted health interventions and policy changes to mitigate the health risks and improve the well-being of this marginalized population. Addressing socioeconomic determinants and promoting healthy lifestyles are crucial steps towards reducing the NCD burden.