Assessing Community Awareness and Engagement in the Prevention and Control of Non-Communicable Diseases (NCDs) in East Wollega Zone, Nekemte town: A Comprehensive Study

Assessing Community Awareness and Engagement in the Prevention and Control of Non-Communicable Diseases (NCDs) in East Wollega Zone, Nekemte town: A Comprehensive Study | Research Square window.SnipcartSettings = { analytics: { enabled: false } }; (function() { var accessVector = localStorage.getItem('access_vector') || ''; window.dataLayer = window.dataLayer || []; if (accessVector) { window.dataLayer.push({ user: { profile: { profileInfo: { snid: accessVector } } } }); } })(); (function(w,d,s,l,i){w[l]=w[l]||[];w[l].push({'gtm.start':new Date().getTime(),event:'gtm.js'});var f=d.getElementsByTagName(s)[0],j=d.createElement(s),dl=l!='dataLayer'?'&l='+l:'';j.async=true;j.src='https://www.googletagmanager.com/gtm.js?id='+i+dl;f.parentNode.insertBefore(j,f);})(window,document,'script','dataLayer','GTM-K279D39R'); Browse Preprints In Review Journals COVID-19 Preprints AJE Video Bytes Research Tools Research Promotion AJE Professional Editing AJE Rubriq About Preprint Platform In Review Editorial Policies Our Team Advisory Board Help Center Sign In Submit a Preprint Cite Share Download PDF Research Article Assessing Community Awareness and Engagement in the Prevention and Control of Non-Communicable Diseases (NCDs) in East Wollega Zone, Nekemte town: A Comprehensive Study Desalegn Amenu, Ayantu Nugusa, Temesgen Tafesse This is a preprint; it has not been peer reviewed by a journal. https://doi.org/ 10.21203/rs.3.rs-4610377/v1 This work is licensed under a CC BY 4.0 License Status: Under Review Version 1 posted 3 You are reading this latest preprint version Abstract Background: Non-communicable diseases (NCDs) pose a significant health challenge globally, including in East Wollega Zone, Ethiopia, particularly in Nekemte town. The burden of NCDs is rising, necessitating a thorough assessment of community awareness and engagement for effective prevention and control strategies. This study aims to assess the level of community awareness and engagement in NCD prevention and control in Nekemte town, East Wollega Zone ,, with more emphasis evaluating awareness levels, health behaviors, existing programs, barriers to engagement, and best practices. A mixed-methods approach was employed, including surveys, interviews, focus group discussions, and review of existing data and literature. Demographic data, prevalence rates, awareness levels, health behaviors, and community perceptions were collected and analyzed. The study will provide insights into the current state of community awareness and engagement regarding NCDs in Nekemte town. Findings were including awareness gaps, prevalent health behaviors, barriers to engagement, and successful community programs. For further intervention, evidence-based interventions and policies aimed at improving community awareness, promoting healthy behaviors, reducing NCD burden, and enhancing community engagement in Nekemte town and similar settings. The study is very important and has the potential to improve health outcomes, optimize resource allocation, reduce disparities, empower communities, inform policies, contribute to academic knowledge, and impact global health initiatives related to NCD prevention and control. Non-communicable diseases (NCDs) Community awareness Nekemte Town Health behaviors Health education Public health interventions and Healthcare access 1. Introduction Non-communicable diseases (NCDs) have emerged as a significant public health challenge globally, impacting individuals, families, and communities(Tesfay et al., 2022 ). In East Wollega Zone, specifically in Nekemte town, the burden of NCDs is increasingly recognized as a priority area for health intervention and community engagement. This introduction sets the stage for assessing community awareness and engagement in the prevention and control of NCDs in this region(Chego et al., 2018 ). East Wollega Zone, situated in the western part of Ethiopia, encompasses diverse communities with varying socio-economic backgrounds, cultural beliefs, and access to healthcare services. Nekemte town, as the administrative center of the zone, serves as a focal point for healthcare delivery and community development initiatives. The prevalence of non-communicable diseases such as diabetes, hypertension, cardiovascular diseases, cancer, and respiratory conditions has been steadily rising in the region, mirroring global trends. These diseases not only impose a significant health burden but also strain healthcare systems and contribute to economic challenges for individuals and society at large(Abebe et al., 2017 ). Understanding the level of community awareness and engagement is essential for designing effective strategies to prevent, control, and manage NCDs. Awareness encompasses knowledge about risk factors, symptoms, preventive measures, and available healthcare services. Engagement involves active participation in health-promoting behaviors, adherence to medical recommendations, and involvement in community-based initiatives(Questa et al., 2020 ). The East Wollega Zone, particularly Nekemte town, is facing a growing burden of non-communicable diseases (NCDs) such as diabetes, hypertension, cardiovascular diseases, cancer, and respiratory conditions. Despite the increasing prevalence of these diseases, there is a lack of comprehensive understanding regarding community awareness and engagement in the prevention and control of NCDs in this region. The significance of this study lies in its potential to drive positive health outcomes, optimize resource utilization, empower communities, reduce disparities, inform policies, contribute to academic knowledge, and have a broader impact on global health initiatives related to NCD prevention and control. Therefore, this study was conducted to assess the community awareness and engagement in the prevention and control of Non-Communicable Diseases (NCDs) in East Wollega Zone, Nekemte town. 2. Materials and Methods 2.1. Study area, design and periods The study was carried out at Nekemte town, Ethiopia, which serves as a junction for the Oromia region's numerous regions. The town, which has 161,000 residents, is renowned for its rich cultural diversity. It has the basic infrastructure, including marketplaces, schools, hospitals, transit systems, and administrative buildings. Nekemte is renowned for its educational institutions and cultural legacy, which support the region's intellectual development. The town is well-equipped with medical facilities, such as hospitals and health clinics, which are essential for research on public health campaigns and healthcare access. A community-based cross-sectional study design with a concurrent mixed-method approach was conducted from January 2024 to March 2024. 2.2. Target population and selection criteria All adults over the age of 18 who are permanent residents of Nekemte town (residing there for at least six months) were the target populations. The study population for the quantitative investigation consisted of randomly selected adult residents. Additionally, a qualitative study was carried out, involving specifically chosen residents, healthcare providers, and public health experts. 2.3. Sample size To determine the sample size, create a sampling frame, and plan participant recruitment for assessing community awareness and engagement in NCD prevention and control in East Wollega Zone, the sample size was calculated based on the assumption of confidence (95%) and margin of error (5%) and proportion of Knowledge of NCD (p), N = Z 2 *p (1-p)/E 2 Where: 𝑛= required sample size Z = Z-score (1.96 for 95% confidence) p = estimated proportion (e.g., awareness or engagement level) E = margin of error, typically expressed as a decimal (e.g., 0.05 for a 5% margin of error) Hence, rounded up to the nearest whole number, the minimum sample size required for a population of 161,000 with a 95% confidence level and 5% margin of error is approximately 385 adding 10% non-respondents 424 total population were selected. For the qualitative aspect, a purposive sampling technique was utilized, aiming for maximum variability to ensure diverse perspectives and relevant data in line with the research objectives. This approach was intended to delve deeply into NCDs knowledge and healthy lifestyle practices within the community, seeking comprehensive insights. 2.4. Data collection The study designed a robust data collection tool to assess understanding of NCDs, focusing on socio-demographic factors, exposure to NCD information, knowledge levels, and healthy lifestyle behaviors. To carry out data collection, potential co-investigators were enlisted, supervised on-site by potential coordinators supervisors. Data gathering took place through face-to-face interviews utilizing pre-tested questionnaires. Furthermore, the study conducted five sessions of focus group discussions (FGDs) to delve into NCD knowledge and community health practices. These FGDs were moderated by a seasoned health professional. Additionally, ten sessions of in-depth interviews (IDIs) were conducted with healthcare providers and public health experts to gather detailed insights and perspectives. 2.5. Study Variables Demographic Variables Age Gender Education level Occupation Income level Marital status Ethnicity Awareness Variables Knowledge of diabetes, hypertension, cardiovascular diseases) Sources of information about healthcare providers, media, family) Awareness of risk factors for smoking, unhealthy diet, lack of physical activity) Awareness of preventive measures healthy diet, regular exercise, screenings) Engagement Variables Participation in NCD prevention programs (awareness campaigns, health screenings) Compliance with medical recommendations ( medication adherence, lifestyle changes) Utilization of healthcare services for NCD management Engagement in community health initiatives related to NCDs Behavioral Variables Smoking status Alcohol consumption Dietary habits (consumption of fruits and vegetables, fast food intake) Physical activity levels Environmental Variables Access to healthcare facilities Availability of healthy food options Environmental factors influencing physical activity ( parks, sidewalks) Socioeconomic Variables : Insurance coverage Employment status Housing conditions Economic barriers to healthcare access These variables can be assessed through surveys, interviews, medical records, and observational data to understand the levels of awareness, engagement, behaviors, and health outcomes related to non-communicable diseases in the specified population. 2.6. Data analysis The data was manually checked, cleaned, and entered into Epi data manager, then exported to SPSS for analysis. Descriptive and bivariable analysis were performed, with a p-value < 0.25 for independent variables and a p-value < 0.05 for multivariable analysis. The Hosmer and Lemeshow goodness of fit model was fitted, and no multicollinearity was found. Thematic framework analysis was performed manually, and results were presented in narration, triangulating with quantitative findings. 2.7. Ethical Clearance The study received ethical approval from Wollega University's review committee, permission from district and kebele administrations, and written informed consent from each participant. 3. Results and Discussion 3.1. Socio-demographic characteristics Out of a total of 415 respondents who completed the study, achieving a response rate of 97.87% , the mean age of the participants was 35.50 years, with the majority falling within the age range of 31–45 years. More than half of the participants, accounting for 237 individuals (57.11%) , were female. In terms of marital status, 380 participants (91.57%) were married. Additionally, the majority of respondents had education beyond the secondary level. Most participants, numbering 325 individuals (78.10%) , belonged to the Oromo ethnic group. Furthermore, approximately more than half of the participants were engaged in both governmental and private sector (merchant) occupations (Table 1 ). 3.2. Knowledge of Communities about Non communicable diseases The present findings showed that the majority of the community members, accounting for 315 (75.00%), correctly defined and understood non-communicable diseases (NCDs). Among the mentioned NCDs, high blood pressure was the most frequently occurring, with 112 cases (27.00%), followed by diabetes with 94 cases (23.00%), chronic respiratory diseases with 65 cases (16.00%), and ulcers with 60 cases (14.00%). Most community members revealed that NCDs are preventable ( 350 , 84.00%) and 65 (16.00%) believed they are curable if appropriate treatment is received in a timely manner. Furthermore, the communities were generally aware of the various risk factors contributing to non-communicable diseases (NCDs), which encompass a range of issues from environmental pollution to individual lifestyle practices. They recognized that preventing NCDs involves several key strategies. A significant portion of the community, 249 individuals (60.00%), identified maintaining a healthy diet as crucial for prevention. Additionally, 154 individuals (37.00%) understood the importance of reducing exposure to environmental pollutants as a preventive measure. Moreover, 133 individuals (32.00%) emphasized the necessity of avoiding smoking and refraining from smoking habits to mitigate the risk of developing NCDs. This awareness underscores the community's recognition of both environmental and lifestyle factors in the prevention of NCDs (Table 2 ). Table 1 Socio-demographic characteristics of respondents and associated factors Demographic Characteristic Categories/Options Frequency Percentage (%) 1) Age A. <18 35 8.43 B. 18–30 130 31.33 C. 31–45 185 44.58 D. 46–60 30 7.23 E. Above 60 35 8.43 Total 415 100.00 2) Gender A. Male 178 42.89 B. Female 237 57.11 Total 415 100.00 3) Education Level A. No formal education 89 21.45 B. Primary school 75 18.07 C. Secondary school 36 8.67 D. College/ University 215 51.81 Total 415 100.00 4) Occupation A. Employed 137 33.01 B. Healthcare 33 7.95 C. Education, 45 10.84 D. Agriculture 74 17.83 E. Student 46 11.08 F. Merchant 80 19.28 Total 415 100.00 5) Monthly Income A. Below average 280 67.47 B. Average 130 31.33 C. Above average 5 1.20 Total 415 100.00 6) Ethnicity A. Oromo 325 78.31 B. Gurage 21 5.06 C. Amhara 50 12.05 D. Tigire 19 4.58 Total 415 100.00 7) Residential Area A. Urban 250 60.24 B. Rural 165 39.76 Total 415 100.00 8) Family Structure A. Single 20 4.82 B. Married 380 91.57 C. Living alone 15 3.61 Total 415 100.00 9) Health Insurance Coverage A. Yes 380 91.57 B. No 35 8.43 Total 415 100.00 10) NCD Diagnosis A. Yes 198 47.71 B. No 217 52.29 Total 415 100.00 11) Smoking Status A. Non-smoker 98 23.61 B. Former smoker 150 36.14 C. Current smoker 167 40.24 Total 415 100.00 12) Alcohol Consumption A. Non-drinker 45 10.84 B. Occasional drinker 120 28.92 C. Regular drinker 250 60.24 Total 415 100.00 13) Physical Activity Level A. Sedentary 350 84.34 B. Moderately active 45 10.84 C. Very active 20 4.82 Total 415 100.00 14) Diet Quality A. Poor 145 34.94 B. Average 200 48.19 C. Healthy 70 16.87 Total 415 100.00 15) Knowledge of NCDs A. Low 215 51.81 B. Moderate 122 29.40 C. High 78 18.80 Total 415 100.00 Community’s awareness toward prevention and control of NCDs The majority of community members, 357 individuals (86.02%), agreed that non-communicable diseases (NCDs) were prevalent among people in their community in Nekemte town, East Wollega Zone. In addition, many community members emphasized the importance of several preventive measures: 378 individuals (91.02%) highlighted the significance of maintaining a healthy diet, 239 individuals (58.00%) stressed the importance of regular physical activity, 268 individuals (65.00%) underscored the need to avoid smoking, and 240 individuals (58.00%) pointed out the benefits of limiting alcohol consumption. Table 2 Community knowledge and attitude toward prevention and control of NCDs, 2024 Characteristics Category Frequency Percentage 1) Do you know NCD A. Yes 315 75.90 B. No 100 24.10 2) NCD A. High blood pressure 112 26.99 B. Diabetes 94 22.65 C. Cardio vascular diseases 65 15.66 D. Ulcer 54 13.01 E. Cancer 60 14.46 3) Is NCD preventable A. Yes 350 84.34 B. No 65 15.66 4) NCDs are preventable A. Yes 365 87.95 B. No 50 12.05 5) Ways of preventing NCDs A. No- smoking 133 32.05 B. Regular physical activities 116 27.95 C. Health diets 249 60.00 D. Limiting alcohol consumption 70 16.87 E. Reducing environmental exposure 154 37.11 F. others 29 6.99 6) NCDs are curable A. Yes 390 93.98 B. No 26 6.27 Furthermore, in terms of their knowledge and potential practices, nearly all community members, 400 individuals (96.40%), recognized that they had an active role to play in the prevention and control of NCDs within their environment and homes. This high level of awareness and sense of responsibility indicates a strong community commitment to mitigating the risk of NCDs through lifestyle changes and environmental management ( Table 3 ). Table 3 Community’s awareness toward prevention and control of NCDs and its associated factors in Nekmete town, East Wollega Zone Perceptions towards NCDs Category Frequency Percentages 1) Presence of NCDs among community A. Agree 357 86.02 B. Disagree 50 12.04 C. No 8 1.92 2) Importance of NCDs risk factors 2.1. Avoiding smoking / using tobacco A. Very important 268 64.57 B. Important 70 16.86 C. Fairly important 61 14.69 D. Not Important 16 3.85 2.2. Limiting alcohol use A. Very important 240 57.83 B. Important 68 16.38 C. Fairly important 87 20.96 D. Not Important 20 4.81 2.3. Physical activity A. Very important 239 57.59 B. Important 69 16.62 C. Fairly important 87 20.96 D. Not Important 20 4.81 2.4. Healthy diet A. Very important 378 91.08 B. Important 25 6.02 C. Fairly important 9 2.16 D. Not Important 3 0.72 In the study area of Nekemte town, East Wollega Zone, there is a significant lack of intervention and awareness practices concerning the prevention and control of non-communicable diseases (NCDs). Among the total health workers, a notable proportion of community health workers (CHWs), 27.00% (13 individuals), who were involved in NCD prevention and control reported facing several challenges. These challenges included inadequate knowledge about NCDs, insufficient training, and negative perceptions within the community towards these diseases ( Table 4 ). Table 4 Community Health Workers involvement in prevention and Control of NCDs, (n = 30). Items Category Frequency Percentages 1) CHW involvements A. Yes 13 43.33 B. No 17 56.66 2) Activities A. Community mobilization 4 13.33 B. Screening and early detection 8 26.66 C. Referral 11 36.66 D. Supporting adherence to treatment 7 23.33 3) CHW engagement for Prevention and Control A. Cancer 4 13.33 B. Diabetes 6 20.00 C. HBP 13 43.33 D. CVD 7 23.33 E. Others 30 100.00 4) Challenges involved in the prevention or control of NCDs A. Lack of knowledge 4 13.33 B. Lack of training 8 26.67 C. Negative Perception 15 50 D. Lack of support 2 6.67 E. Others 30 100 The difficulties experienced by the CHWs were echoed by some community members. Participants in focus group discussions (FGDs) acknowledged that while CHWs were somewhat involved in the prevention and control of NCDs, their efforts were hindered by limited health education on NCDs. This was largely because CHWs were primarily focused on other health issues such as water, sanitation, and hygiene. To address these gaps, it is essential to enhance the training and education of CHWs regarding NCDs, increase community awareness about the importance of NCD prevention and control, and shift some focus towards these pressing health concerns. Comprehensive strategies that integrate NCD education into the broader health agenda, along with targeted interventions and robust community engagement, are crucial for improving the overall health outcomes in Nekemte town. Discussion The demographic profile of the study population, comprising predominantly married, well-educated, and economically active individuals, provides valuable insights for designing effective health interventions. With a balanced gender distribution and high education levels, there is a significant opportunity to implement targeted strategies to address health issues within the community. Cultural considerations, particularly regarding the dominant Oromo ethnic group, should guide the development of interventions to ensure cultural relevance and acceptance. Overall, leveraging the demographic characteristics of the population can facilitate the delivery of tailored and impactful health initiatives aimed at improving overall well-being and reducing health disparities within the community. The present findings revealed that 75.00% of community members correctly defined and understood non-communicable diseases (NCDs). High blood pressure was identified as the most frequently occurring NCD (27.00%), followed by diabetes (23.00%), chronic respiratory diseases (16.00%), and ulcers (14.00%). The majority of respondents believed NCDs are preventable (84.00%), while 16.00% thought they are curable with timely treatment. Similar results were reported by multiple authors, indicating that blood pressure and diabetes were the most prevalent non-communicable diseases among the communities (Kamara et al., 2024 ; Memirie et al., 2022 ; Muluneh et al., 2012 ). Moreover, the community demonstrated awareness of various NCD risk factors, including environmental pollution and lifestyle practices. Key prevention strategies identified included maintaining a healthy diet (60.00%), reducing exposure to environmental pollutants (37.00%), and avoiding smoking (32.00%). This underscores the community's recognition of both environmental and lifestyle factors in NCD prevention(Muluneh et al., 2012 ). The majority of community members in Nekemte town, East Wollega Zone (86.02%), recognized the prevalence of non-communicable diseases (NCDs) among people in their community. Additionally, a significant number of individuals emphasized various preventive measures: maintaining a healthy diet (91.02%), regular physical activity (58.00%), avoidance of smoking (65.00%), and limiting alcohol consumption (58.00%) which is similar with previous reports (Jeet et al., 2017 ; Joshi et al., 2019). The challenges faced by Community Health Workers (CHWs) in addressing non-communicable diseases (NCDs) were recognized by community members themselves, as revealed in focus group discussions (FGDs). While CHWs were involved to some extent in NCD prevention and control, their effectiveness was hampered by limited education on NCDs. This was often due to CHWs primarily focusing on other health issues such as water, sanitation, and hygiene. To bridge these gaps, there is a crucial need to enhance the training and education of CHWs regarding NCDs. Additionally, increasing community awareness about the importance of NCD prevention and control is vital. Shifting some focus towards these pressing health concerns within CHW programs is also necessary. Comprehensive strategies that integrate NCD education into the broader health agenda, coupled with targeted interventions and robust community engagement, are essential for improving overall health outcomes in Nekemte town. The demographic profile of the study population in Nekemte town, characterized by predominantly married, well-educated, and economically active individuals, presents a promising opportunity for designing effective health interventions. With a balanced gender distribution and high levels of education, there is potential to implement targeted strategies aimed at addressing health issues within the community. Cultural considerations, particularly regarding the dominant Oromo ethnic group, should guide the development of interventions to ensure cultural relevance and acceptance. Leveraging these demographic characteristics can facilitate the delivery of tailored and impactful health initiatives aimed at improving overall well-being and reducing health disparities within the community. The study revealed that a substantial proportion of community members correctly understood non-communicable diseases (NCDs) and recognized their preventable nature. High blood pressure and diabetes emerged as the most prevalent NCDs, consistent with findings from other studies. Furthermore, the community demonstrated awareness of various NCD risk factors, emphasizing the importance of maintaining a healthy diet, reducing exposure to environmental pollutants, and avoiding smoking. However, challenges faced by Community Health Workers (CHWs) in addressing NCDs were identified, including limited education on NCDs and a primary focus on other health issues. To address these challenges, it is essential to enhance the training and education of CHWs regarding NCDs and increase community awareness about the importance of NCD prevention and control. Shifting some focus towards NCDs within CHW programs and implementing comprehensive strategies that integrate NCD education into broader health agendas are vital steps toward improving overall health outcomes in Nekemte town. Declarations Consent to Participate Participants in this study provided informed consent prior to their involvement. They were briefed on the purpose of the research, the methods employed, and their rights as participants. Participants were assured of confidentiality and were informed that their involvement was voluntary, with the option to withdraw at any time without consequences. Consent was obtained through signed consent forms. Ethics Declaration This study, "Assessing Community Awareness and Engagement in the Prevention and Control of Non-Communicable Diseases (NCDs) in East Wollega Zone, Nekemte town: A Comprehensive Study," was conducted in accordance with the ethical principles outlined in the Declaration of Helsinki. Ethical approval was obtained from East Wollega Zone and Wollega Universit, Research and Community Committee borde prior to the commencement of data collection. Participants were informed about the purpose of the study, the voluntary nature of their participation, and their right to withdraw at any time without repercussions. Written informed consent was obtained from all participants before their inclusion in the study. Confidentiality of participants' data was strictly maintained throughout the study period, and data were anonymized during analysis and reporting. Funding sources No funding sources Author Contribution All authors reviewed the manuscriptDA, design and write the ,manuscriptAN, write design and evaluate the paperTT, supervisie and evlaute a, edit References Abebe SM, Andargie G, Shimeka A, Alemu K, Kebede Y, Wubeshet M, Tariku A, Gebeyehu A, Bayisa M, Yitayal M, Awoke T, Azmeraw T, Birku M. (2017). The prevalence of non-communicable diseases in northwest Ethiopia: Survey of Dabat Health and Demographic Surveillance System. In BMJ Open (Vol. 7, Issue 10). https://doi.org/10.1136/bmjopen-2016-015496 . Chego M, Adeba E, Taye A. Evaluation of Pattern of Community Engagement in District Health Care in East Wollega: Qualitative Study. J Community Med Health Educ. 2018;08(03). https://doi.org/10.4172/2161-0711.1000612 . Jeet G, Thakur J, Prinja S, one MS-P, Prinja S. 2017, undefined. (2017). Community health workers for non-communicable diseases prevention and control in developing countries: evidence and implications. Journals.Plos.OrgG Jeet , JS Thakur, S Prinja, M SinghPloS One, 2017•journals.Plos.Org , 12 (7). https://doi.org/10.1371/journal.pone.0180640 . Joshi R, Health DP-TLG. & 2019, undefined. (2019). Task-sharing for the prevention and control of non-communicable diseases. Thelancet.ComR Joshi, D PeirisThe Lancet Global Health, 2019•thelancet.Com , 7 (6), e686–e687. https://doi.org/10.1016/S2214-109X(19)30161-5 . Kamara IF, Tengbe SM, Bah AJ, Nuwagira I, Ali DB, Koroma FF, Kamara RZ, Lakoh S, Sesay S, Russell JBW, Theobald S, Lyons M. Prevalence of hypertension, diabetes mellitus, and their risk factors in an informal settlement in Freetown, Sierra Leone: a cross-sectional study. BMC Public Health. 2024;24(1). https://doi.org/10.1186/s12889-024-18158-w . Memirie ST, Dagnaw WW, Habtemariam MK, Bekele A, Yadeta D, Bekele A, Bekele W, Gedefaw M, Assefa M, Tolla MT, Misganaw A, Gupta N, Bukhman G, Norheim OF. Addressing the Impact of Noncommunicable Diseases and Injuries (NCDIs) in Ethiopia: Findings and Recommendations from the Ethiopia NCDI Commission. Ethiop J Health Sci. 2022;32(1):161. https://doi.org/10.4314/EJHS.V32I1.18 . Muluneh AT, Haileamlak A, Tessema F, Alemseged F, Woldemichael K, Asefa M, Mamo Y, Tamiru S, Abebe G, Deribew A, Abebe M. (2012). Population based survey of chronic non-communicable diseases at gilgel gibe field research center, southwest ethiopia. Ethiop J Health Sci, 22 (S). Questa K, Das M, King R, Everitt M, Rassi C, Cartwright C, Ferdous T, Barua D, Putnis N, Snell AC, Huque R, Newell J, Elsey H. (2020). Community engagement interventions for communicable disease control in low- A nd lower-middle-income countries: Evidence from a review of systematic reviews. In International Journal for Equity in Health (Vol. 19, Issue 1). https://doi.org/10.1186/s12939-020-01169-5 . Tesfay FH, Zorbas C, Alston L, Backholer K, Bowe SJ, Bennett CM. Prevalence of chronic non-communicable diseases in Ethiopia: A systematic review and meta-analysis of evidence. Front Public Health. 2022;10. https://doi.org/10.3389/fpubh.2022.936482 . Additional Declarations No competing interests reported. Cite Share Download PDF Status: Under Review Version 1 posted Editor assigned by journal 05 Jul, 2024 Submission checks completed at journal 30 Jun, 2024 First submitted to journal 20 Jun, 2024 You are reading this latest preprint version Research Square lets you share your work early, gain feedback from the community, and start making changes to your manuscript prior to peer review in a journal. As a division of Research Square Company, we’re committed to making research communication faster, fairer, and more useful. We do this by developing innovative software and high quality services for the global research community. Our growing team is made up of researchers and industry professionals working together to solve the most critical problems facing scientific publishing. Also discoverable on Platform About Our Team In Review Editorial Policies Advisory Board Help Center Resources Author Services Accessibility API Access RSS feed Manage Cookie Preferences © Research Square 2026 | ISSN 2693-5015 (online) Privacy Policy Terms of Service Do Not Sell My Personal Information {"props":{"pageProps":{"initialData":{"identity":"rs-4610377","acceptedTermsAndConditions":true,"allowDirectSubmit":false,"archivedVersions":[],"articleType":"Research Article","associatedPublications":[],"authors":[{"id":323248968,"identity":"dad7c997-c88d-4a67-8e5b-b6dbe4cf3067","order_by":0,"name":"Desalegn Amenu","email":"data:image/png;base64,iVBORw0KGgoAAAANSUhEUgAAAZAAAAAyAQMAAABI0h/eAAAABlBMVEX///8AAABVwtN+AAAACXBIWXMAAA7EAAAOxAGVKw4bAAAA+klEQVRIiWNgGAWjYHACAwYeIMkHYn4AYjZ2YrWwATHjDBCDmRQtzCAGAyEtBscPb/zwpqJOno29/dpjm1/b5PmYGRg/fMzBo+VMWrHknDOHDdt4zpQb5/bdNmxjZmCWnLkNtxazAzkG0rxtBxjbJHLSpHN7bjMCtbAx8+LTcv6N8W/ef3X2bfJv0qQte27bE9ZyI8dMmreBObFNgv2YNMOP24kEtdjfeFZmOefY4eQ2nhw2yd6G28ltzIzNeP0i2Z+8+cabmjrbfvbjzyR+/LltO7+9+eCHj3i0IAEeAwbGNhCDsYEo9UDA/oCB4Q+xikfBKBgFo2AkAQAJQU/n6+/VfwAAAABJRU5ErkJggg==","orcid":"","institution":"Wollega University","correspondingAuthor":true,"prefix":"","firstName":"Desalegn","middleName":"","lastName":"Amenu","suffix":""},{"id":323248969,"identity":"8d46280f-251b-4bae-945f-6b0005fb7c7b","order_by":1,"name":"Ayantu Nugusa","email":"","orcid":"","institution":"Wollega University","correspondingAuthor":false,"prefix":"","firstName":"Ayantu","middleName":"","lastName":"Nugusa","suffix":""},{"id":323248970,"identity":"00f2b5c4-c205-48c6-80bc-42a4b16b1ed0","order_by":2,"name":"Temesgen Tafesse","email":"","orcid":"","institution":"Armauer Hansen research institute","correspondingAuthor":false,"prefix":"","firstName":"Temesgen","middleName":"","lastName":"Tafesse","suffix":""}],"badges":[],"createdAt":"2024-06-20 08:37:08","currentVersionCode":1,"declarations":"","doi":"10.21203/rs.3.rs-4610377/v1","doiUrl":"https://doi.org/10.21203/rs.3.rs-4610377/v1","draftVersion":[],"editorialEvents":[],"editorialNote":"","failedWorkflow":false,"files":[{"id":60878799,"identity":"d39c4163-08ef-49f9-baa5-bc28160aa77f","added_by":"auto","created_at":"2024-07-23 06:38:53","extension":"pdf","order_by":0,"title":"","display":"","copyAsset":false,"role":"manuscript-pdf","size":913300,"visible":true,"origin":"","legend":"","description":"","filename":"manuscript.pdf","url":"https://assets-eu.researchsquare.com/files/rs-4610377/v1/fc77f505-0d59-4a52-941f-97dd04ed5d7d.pdf"}],"financialInterests":"No competing interests reported.","formattedTitle":"Assessing Community Awareness and Engagement in the Prevention and Control of Non-Communicable Diseases (NCDs) in East Wollega Zone, Nekemte town: A Comprehensive Study","fulltext":[{"header":"1. Introduction","content":"\u003cp\u003eNon-communicable diseases (NCDs) have emerged as a significant public health challenge globally, impacting individuals, families, and communities(Tesfay et al., \u003cspan citationid=\"CR9\" class=\"CitationRef\"\u003e2022\u003c/span\u003e). In East Wollega Zone, specifically in Nekemte town, the burden of NCDs is increasingly recognized as a priority area for health intervention and community engagement. This introduction sets the stage for assessing community awareness and engagement in the prevention and control of NCDs in this region(Chego et al., \u003cspan citationid=\"CR2\" class=\"CitationRef\"\u003e2018\u003c/span\u003e). East Wollega Zone, situated in the western part of Ethiopia, encompasses diverse communities with varying socio-economic backgrounds, cultural beliefs, and access to healthcare services. Nekemte town, as the administrative center of the zone, serves as a focal point for healthcare delivery and community development initiatives.\u003c/p\u003e \u003cp\u003eThe prevalence of non-communicable diseases such as diabetes, hypertension, cardiovascular diseases, cancer, and respiratory conditions has been steadily rising in the region, mirroring global trends. These diseases not only impose a significant health burden but also strain healthcare systems and contribute to economic challenges for individuals and society at large(Abebe et al., \u003cspan citationid=\"CR1\" class=\"CitationRef\"\u003e2017\u003c/span\u003e). Understanding the level of community awareness and engagement is essential for designing effective strategies to prevent, control, and manage NCDs. Awareness encompasses knowledge about risk factors, symptoms, preventive measures, and available healthcare services. Engagement involves active participation in health-promoting behaviors, adherence to medical recommendations, and involvement in community-based initiatives(Questa et al., \u003cspan citationid=\"CR8\" class=\"CitationRef\"\u003e2020\u003c/span\u003e).\u003c/p\u003e \u003cp\u003eThe East Wollega Zone, particularly Nekemte town, is facing a growing burden of non-communicable diseases (NCDs) such as diabetes, hypertension, cardiovascular diseases, cancer, and respiratory conditions. Despite the increasing prevalence of these diseases, there is a lack of comprehensive understanding regarding community awareness and engagement in the prevention and control of NCDs in this region. The significance of this study lies in its potential to drive positive health outcomes, optimize resource utilization, empower communities, reduce disparities, inform policies, contribute to academic knowledge, and have a broader impact on global health initiatives related to NCD prevention and control. Therefore, this study was conducted to assess the community awareness and engagement in the prevention and control of Non-Communicable Diseases (NCDs) in East Wollega Zone, Nekemte town.\u003c/p\u003e"},{"header":"2. Materials and Methods","content":"\u003cdiv id=\"Sec3\" class=\"Section2\"\u003e \u003ch2\u003e2.1. Study area, design and periods\u003c/h2\u003e \u003cp\u003eThe study was carried out at Nekemte town, Ethiopia, which serves as a junction for the Oromia region's numerous regions. The town, which has 161,000 residents, is renowned for its rich cultural diversity. It has the basic infrastructure, including marketplaces, schools, hospitals, transit systems, and administrative buildings. Nekemte is renowned for its educational institutions and cultural legacy, which support the region's intellectual development. The town is well-equipped with medical facilities, such as hospitals and health clinics, which are essential for research on public health campaigns and healthcare access. A community-based cross-sectional study design with a concurrent mixed-method approach was conducted from January 2024 to March 2024.\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/div\u003e \u003cdiv id=\"Sec4\" class=\"Section2\"\u003e \u003ch2\u003e2.2. Target population and selection criteria\u003c/h2\u003e \u003cp\u003eAll adults over the age of 18 who are permanent residents of Nekemte town (residing there for at least six months) were the target populations. The study population for the quantitative investigation consisted of randomly selected adult residents. Additionally, a qualitative study was carried out, involving specifically chosen residents, healthcare providers, and public health experts.\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/div\u003e \u003cdiv id=\"Sec5\" class=\"Section2\"\u003e \u003ch2\u003e2.3. Sample size\u003c/h2\u003e \u003cp\u003eTo determine the sample size, create a sampling frame, and plan participant recruitment for assessing community awareness and engagement in NCD prevention and control in East Wollega Zone, the sample size was calculated based on the assumption of confidence (95%) and margin of error (5%) and proportion of Knowledge of NCD (p), N\u0026thinsp;=\u0026thinsp;Z\u003csup\u003e2\u003c/sup\u003e*p (1-p)/E\u003csup\u003e2\u003c/sup\u003e\u003c/p\u003e \u003cp\u003eWhere: \u0026#119899;= required sample size\u003c/p\u003e \u003cp\u003eZ\u0026thinsp;=\u0026thinsp;Z-score (1.96 for 95% confidence)\u003c/p\u003e \u003cp\u003ep\u0026thinsp;=\u0026thinsp;estimated proportion (e.g., awareness or engagement level)\u003c/p\u003e \u003cp\u003eE\u0026thinsp;=\u0026thinsp;margin of error, typically expressed as a decimal (e.g., 0.05 for a 5% margin of error) Hence, rounded up to the nearest whole number, the minimum sample size required for a population of 161,000 with a 95% confidence level and 5% margin of error is approximately \u003cb\u003e385\u003c/b\u003e adding 10% non-respondents 424 total population were selected.\u003c/p\u003e \u003cp\u003eFor the qualitative aspect, a purposive sampling technique was utilized, aiming for maximum variability to ensure diverse perspectives and relevant data in line with the research objectives. This approach was intended to delve deeply into NCDs knowledge and healthy lifestyle practices within the community, seeking comprehensive insights.\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/div\u003e \u003cdiv id=\"Sec6\" class=\"Section2\"\u003e \u003ch2\u003e2.4. Data collection\u003c/h2\u003e \u003cp\u003eThe study designed a robust data collection tool to assess understanding of NCDs, focusing on socio-demographic factors, exposure to NCD information, knowledge levels, and healthy lifestyle behaviors. To carry out data collection, potential co-investigators were enlisted, supervised on-site by potential coordinators supervisors. Data gathering took place through face-to-face interviews utilizing pre-tested questionnaires. Furthermore, the study conducted five sessions of focus group discussions (FGDs) to delve into NCD knowledge and community health practices. These FGDs were moderated by a seasoned health professional. Additionally, ten sessions of in-depth interviews (IDIs) were conducted with healthcare providers and public health experts to gather detailed insights and perspectives.\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/div\u003e \u003cdiv id=\"Sec7\" class=\"Section2\"\u003e \u003ch2\u003e2.5. Study Variables\u003c/h2\u003e \u003cp\u003e \u003cb\u003eDemographic Variables\u003c/b\u003e \u003c/p\u003e \u003cp\u003e \u003cul\u003e \u003cli\u003e \u003cp\u003eAge\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/li\u003e \u003cli\u003e \u003cp\u003eGender\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/li\u003e \u003cli\u003e \u003cp\u003eEducation level\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/li\u003e \u003cli\u003e \u003cp\u003eOccupation\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/li\u003e \u003cli\u003e \u003cp\u003eIncome level\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/li\u003e \u003cli\u003e \u003cp\u003eMarital status\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/li\u003e \u003cli\u003e \u003cp\u003eEthnicity\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/li\u003e \u003c/ul\u003e \u003c/p\u003e \u003cp\u003e \u003cb\u003eAwareness Variables\u003c/b\u003e \u003c/p\u003e \u003cp\u003e \u003cul\u003e \u003cli\u003e \u003cp\u003eKnowledge of diabetes, hypertension, cardiovascular diseases)\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/li\u003e \u003cli\u003e \u003cp\u003eSources of information about healthcare providers, media, family)\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/li\u003e \u003cli\u003e \u003cp\u003eAwareness of risk factors for smoking, unhealthy diet, lack of physical activity)\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/li\u003e \u003cli\u003e \u003cp\u003eAwareness of preventive measures healthy diet, regular exercise, screenings)\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/li\u003e \u003c/ul\u003e \u003c/p\u003e \u003cp\u003e \u003cb\u003eEngagement Variables\u003c/b\u003e \u003c/p\u003e \u003cp\u003e \u003cul\u003e \u003cli\u003e \u003cp\u003eParticipation in NCD prevention programs (awareness campaigns, health screenings)\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/li\u003e \u003cli\u003e \u003cp\u003eCompliance with medical recommendations ( medication adherence, lifestyle changes)\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/li\u003e \u003cli\u003e \u003cp\u003eUtilization of healthcare services for NCD management\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/li\u003e \u003cli\u003e \u003cp\u003eEngagement in community health initiatives related to NCDs\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/li\u003e \u003c/ul\u003e \u003c/p\u003e \u003cp\u003e \u003cb\u003eBehavioral Variables\u003c/b\u003e \u003c/p\u003e \u003cp\u003e \u003cul\u003e \u003cli\u003e \u003cp\u003eSmoking status\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/li\u003e \u003cli\u003e \u003cp\u003eAlcohol consumption\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/li\u003e \u003cli\u003e \u003cp\u003eDietary habits (consumption of fruits and vegetables, fast food intake)\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/li\u003e \u003cli\u003e \u003cp\u003ePhysical activity levels\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/li\u003e \u003c/ul\u003e \u003c/p\u003e \u003cp\u003e \u003cb\u003eEnvironmental Variables\u003c/b\u003e \u003c/p\u003e \u003cp\u003e \u003cul\u003e \u003cli\u003e \u003cp\u003eAccess to healthcare facilities\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/li\u003e \u003cli\u003e \u003cp\u003eAvailability of healthy food options\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/li\u003e \u003cli\u003e \u003cp\u003eEnvironmental factors influencing physical activity ( parks, sidewalks)\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/li\u003e \u003c/ul\u003e \u003c/p\u003e \u003cp\u003e \u003cb\u003eSocioeconomic Variables\u003c/b\u003e:\u003c/p\u003e \u003cp\u003e \u003cul\u003e \u003cli\u003e \u003cp\u003eInsurance coverage\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/li\u003e \u003cli\u003e \u003cp\u003eEmployment status\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/li\u003e \u003cli\u003e \u003cp\u003eHousing conditions\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/li\u003e \u003cli\u003e \u003cp\u003eEconomic barriers to healthcare access\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/li\u003e \u003c/ul\u003e \u003c/p\u003e \u003cp\u003eThese variables can be assessed through surveys, interviews, medical records, and observational data to understand the levels of awareness, engagement, behaviors, and health outcomes related to non-communicable diseases in the specified population.\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/div\u003e \u003cdiv id=\"Sec8\" class=\"Section2\"\u003e \u003ch2\u003e2.6. Data analysis\u003c/h2\u003e \u003cp\u003eThe data was manually checked, cleaned, and entered into Epi data manager, then exported to SPSS for analysis. Descriptive and bivariable analysis were performed, with a p-value\u0026thinsp;\u0026lt;\u0026thinsp;0.25 for independent variables and a p-value\u0026thinsp;\u0026lt;\u0026thinsp;0.05 for multivariable analysis. The Hosmer and Lemeshow goodness of fit model was fitted, and no multicollinearity was found. Thematic framework analysis was performed manually, and results were presented in narration, triangulating with quantitative findings.\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/div\u003e \u003cdiv id=\"Sec9\" class=\"Section2\"\u003e \u003ch2\u003e2.7. Ethical Clearance\u003c/h2\u003e \u003cp\u003eThe study received ethical approval from Wollega University's review committee, permission from district and kebele administrations, and written informed consent from each participant.\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/div\u003e"},{"header":"3. Results and Discussion","content":"\u003cdiv id=\"Sec11\" class=\"Section2\"\u003e \u003ch2\u003e3.1. Socio-demographic characteristics\u003c/h2\u003e \u003cp\u003eOut of a total of \u003cb\u003e415\u003c/b\u003e respondents who completed the study, achieving a response rate of \u003cb\u003e97.87%\u003c/b\u003e, the mean age of the participants was \u003cb\u003e35.50\u003c/b\u003e years, with the majority falling within the age range of \u003cb\u003e31\u0026ndash;45\u003c/b\u003e years. More than half of the participants, accounting for \u003cb\u003e237\u003c/b\u003e individuals \u003cb\u003e(57.11%)\u003c/b\u003e, were female. In terms of marital status, 380 participants \u003cb\u003e(91.57%)\u003c/b\u003e were married. Additionally, the majority of respondents had education beyond the secondary level. Most participants, numbering \u003cb\u003e325\u003c/b\u003e individuals \u003cb\u003e(78.10%)\u003c/b\u003e, belonged to the Oromo ethnic group. Furthermore, approximately more than half of the participants were engaged in both governmental and private sector (merchant) occupations (Table\u0026nbsp;\u003cspan refid=\"Tab1\" class=\"InternalRef\"\u003e1\u003c/span\u003e).\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/div\u003e \u003cdiv id=\"Sec12\" class=\"Section2\"\u003e \u003ch2\u003e3.2. Knowledge of Communities about Non communicable diseases\u003c/h2\u003e \u003cp\u003eThe present findings showed that the majority of the community members, accounting for \u003cb\u003e315\u003c/b\u003e (75.00%), correctly defined and understood non-communicable diseases (NCDs). Among the mentioned NCDs, high blood pressure was the most frequently occurring, with \u003cb\u003e112\u003c/b\u003e cases (27.00%), followed by diabetes with \u003cb\u003e94\u003c/b\u003e cases (23.00%), chronic respiratory diseases with \u003cb\u003e65\u003c/b\u003e cases (16.00%), and ulcers with \u003cb\u003e60\u003c/b\u003e cases (14.00%). Most community members revealed that NCDs are preventable (\u003cb\u003e350\u003c/b\u003e, 84.00%) and \u003cb\u003e65\u003c/b\u003e (16.00%) believed they are curable if appropriate treatment is received in a timely manner.\u003c/p\u003e \u003cp\u003eFurthermore, the communities were generally aware of the various risk factors contributing to non-communicable diseases (NCDs), which encompass a range of issues from environmental pollution to individual lifestyle practices. They recognized that preventing NCDs involves several key strategies. A significant portion of the community, 249 individuals (60.00%), identified maintaining a healthy diet as crucial for prevention. Additionally, 154 individuals (37.00%) understood the importance of reducing exposure to environmental pollutants as a preventive measure. Moreover, 133 individuals (32.00%) emphasized the necessity of avoiding smoking and refraining from smoking habits to mitigate the risk of developing NCDs. This awareness underscores the community's recognition of both environmental and lifestyle factors in the prevention of NCDs (Table\u0026nbsp;\u003cspan refid=\"Tab2\" class=\"InternalRef\"\u003e2\u003c/span\u003e).\u003c/p\u003e \u003cp\u003e \u003cdiv class=\"gridtable\"\u003e\u003ctable float=\"Yes\" id=\"Tab1\" border=\"1\"\u003e \u003ccaption language=\"En\"\u003e \u003cdiv class=\"CaptionNumber\"\u003eTable 1\u003c/div\u003e \u003cdiv class=\"CaptionContent\"\u003e \u003cp\u003eSocio-demographic characteristics of respondents and associated factors\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/div\u003e \u003c/caption\u003e \u003ccolgroup cols=\"4\"\u003e \u003cdiv align=\"left\" class=\"colspec\" colname=\"c1\" colnum=\"1\"\u003e\u003c/div\u003e \u003cdiv align=\"left\" class=\"colspec\" colname=\"c2\" colnum=\"2\"\u003e\u003c/div\u003e \u003cdiv align=\"char\" char=\".\" class=\"colspec\" colname=\"c3\" colnum=\"3\"\u003e\u003c/div\u003e \u003cdiv align=\"char\" char=\".\" class=\"colspec\" colname=\"c4\" colnum=\"4\"\u003e\u003c/div\u003e \u003cthead\u003e \u003ctr\u003e \u003cth align=\"left\" colname=\"c1\"\u003e \u003cp\u003eDemographic Characteristic\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/th\u003e \u003cth align=\"left\" colname=\"c2\"\u003e \u003cp\u003eCategories/Options\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/th\u003e \u003cth align=\"left\" colname=\"c3\"\u003e \u003cp\u003eFrequency\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/th\u003e \u003cth align=\"left\" colname=\"c4\"\u003e \u003cp\u003ePercentage (%)\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/th\u003e \u003c/tr\u003e \u003c/thead\u003e \u003ctbody\u003e \u003ctr\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c1\" morerows=\"5\" rowspan=\"6\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e1)\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp; Age\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c2\"\u003e \u003cp\u003eA.\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp; \u0026lt;18\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"char\" char=\".\" colname=\"c3\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e35\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"char\" char=\".\" colname=\"c4\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e8.43\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003c/tr\u003e \u003ctr\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c2\"\u003e \u003cp\u003eB.\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp; 18\u0026ndash;30\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"char\" char=\".\" colname=\"c3\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e130\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"char\" char=\".\" colname=\"c4\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e31.33\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003c/tr\u003e \u003ctr\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c2\"\u003e \u003cp\u003eC.\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp; 31\u0026ndash;45\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"char\" char=\".\" colname=\"c3\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e185\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"char\" char=\".\" colname=\"c4\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e44.58\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003c/tr\u003e \u003ctr\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c2\"\u003e \u003cp\u003eD.\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp; 46\u0026ndash;60\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"char\" char=\".\" colname=\"c3\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e30\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"char\" char=\".\" colname=\"c4\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e7.23\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003c/tr\u003e \u003ctr\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c2\"\u003e \u003cp\u003eE.\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp; Above 60\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"char\" char=\".\" colname=\"c3\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e35\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"char\" char=\".\" colname=\"c4\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e8.43\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003c/tr\u003e \u003ctr\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c2\"\u003e \u003cp\u003eTotal\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"char\" char=\".\" colname=\"c3\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e415\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"char\" char=\".\" colname=\"c4\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e100.00\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003c/tr\u003e \u003ctr\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c1\" morerows=\"2\" rowspan=\"3\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e2)\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp; Gender\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c2\"\u003e \u003cp\u003eA.\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp; Male\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"char\" char=\".\" colname=\"c3\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e178\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"char\" char=\".\" colname=\"c4\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e42.89\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003c/tr\u003e \u003ctr\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c2\"\u003e \u003cp\u003eB.\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp; Female\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"char\" char=\".\" colname=\"c3\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e237\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"char\" char=\".\" colname=\"c4\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e57.11\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003c/tr\u003e \u003ctr\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c2\"\u003e \u003cp\u003eTotal\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"char\" char=\".\" colname=\"c3\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e415\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"char\" char=\".\" colname=\"c4\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e100.00\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003c/tr\u003e \u003ctr\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c1\" morerows=\"4\" rowspan=\"5\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e3)\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp; Education Level\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c2\"\u003e \u003cp\u003eA.\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp; No formal education\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"char\" char=\".\" colname=\"c3\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e89\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"char\" char=\".\" colname=\"c4\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e21.45\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003c/tr\u003e \u003ctr\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c2\"\u003e \u003cp\u003eB.\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp; Primary school\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"char\" char=\".\" colname=\"c3\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e75\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"char\" char=\".\" colname=\"c4\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e18.07\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003c/tr\u003e \u003ctr\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c2\"\u003e \u003cp\u003eC.\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp; Secondary school\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"char\" char=\".\" colname=\"c3\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e36\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"char\" char=\".\" colname=\"c4\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e8.67\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003c/tr\u003e \u003ctr\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c2\"\u003e \u003cp\u003eD.\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp; College/ University\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"char\" char=\".\" colname=\"c3\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e215\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"char\" char=\".\" colname=\"c4\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e51.81\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003c/tr\u003e \u003ctr\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c2\"\u003e \u003cp\u003eTotal\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"char\" char=\".\" colname=\"c3\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e415\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"char\" char=\".\" colname=\"c4\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e100.00\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003c/tr\u003e \u003ctr\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c1\" morerows=\"6\" rowspan=\"7\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e4)\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp; Occupation\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c2\"\u003e \u003cp\u003eA.\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp; Employed\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"char\" char=\".\" colname=\"c3\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e137\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"char\" char=\".\" colname=\"c4\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e33.01\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003c/tr\u003e \u003ctr\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c2\"\u003e \u003cp\u003eB.\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp; Healthcare\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"char\" char=\".\" colname=\"c3\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e33\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"char\" char=\".\" colname=\"c4\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e7.95\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003c/tr\u003e \u003ctr\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c2\"\u003e \u003cp\u003eC.\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp; Education,\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"char\" char=\".\" colname=\"c3\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e45\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"char\" char=\".\" colname=\"c4\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e10.84\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003c/tr\u003e \u003ctr\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c2\"\u003e \u003cp\u003eD.\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp; Agriculture\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"char\" char=\".\" colname=\"c3\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e74\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"char\" char=\".\" colname=\"c4\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e17.83\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003c/tr\u003e \u003ctr\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c2\"\u003e \u003cp\u003eE.\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp; Student\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"char\" char=\".\" colname=\"c3\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e46\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"char\" char=\".\" colname=\"c4\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e11.08\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003c/tr\u003e \u003ctr\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c2\"\u003e \u003cp\u003eF.\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp; Merchant\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"char\" char=\".\" colname=\"c3\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e80\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"char\" char=\".\" colname=\"c4\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e19.28\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003c/tr\u003e \u003ctr\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c2\"\u003e \u003cp\u003eTotal\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"char\" char=\".\" colname=\"c3\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e415\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"char\" char=\".\" colname=\"c4\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e100.00\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003c/tr\u003e \u003ctr\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c1\" morerows=\"3\" rowspan=\"4\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e5)\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp; Monthly Income\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c2\"\u003e \u003cp\u003eA.\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp; Below average\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"char\" char=\".\" colname=\"c3\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e280\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"char\" char=\".\" colname=\"c4\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e67.47\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003c/tr\u003e \u003ctr\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c2\"\u003e \u003cp\u003eB.\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp; Average\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"char\" char=\".\" colname=\"c3\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e130\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"char\" char=\".\" colname=\"c4\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e31.33\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003c/tr\u003e \u003ctr\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c2\"\u003e \u003cp\u003eC.\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp; Above average\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"char\" char=\".\" colname=\"c3\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e5\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"char\" char=\".\" colname=\"c4\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e1.20\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003c/tr\u003e \u003ctr\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c2\"\u003e \u003cp\u003eTotal\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"char\" char=\".\" colname=\"c3\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e415\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"char\" char=\".\" colname=\"c4\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e100.00\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003c/tr\u003e \u003ctr\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c1\" morerows=\"3\" rowspan=\"4\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e6)\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp; Ethnicity\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c2\"\u003e \u003cp\u003eA.\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp; Oromo\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"char\" char=\".\" colname=\"c3\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e325\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"char\" char=\".\" colname=\"c4\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e78.31\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003c/tr\u003e \u003ctr\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c2\"\u003e \u003cp\u003eB.\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp; Gurage\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"char\" char=\".\" colname=\"c3\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e21\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"char\" char=\".\" colname=\"c4\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e5.06\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003c/tr\u003e \u003ctr\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c2\"\u003e \u003cp\u003eC.\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp; Amhara\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"char\" char=\".\" colname=\"c3\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e50\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"char\" char=\".\" colname=\"c4\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e12.05\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003c/tr\u003e \u003ctr\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c2\"\u003e \u003cp\u003eD.\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp; Tigire\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"char\" char=\".\" colname=\"c3\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e19\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"char\" char=\".\" colname=\"c4\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e4.58\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003c/tr\u003e \u003ctr\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c1\"\u003e\u0026nbsp;\u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c2\"\u003e \u003cp\u003eTotal\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"char\" char=\".\" colname=\"c3\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e415\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"char\" char=\".\" colname=\"c4\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e100.00\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003c/tr\u003e \u003ctr\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c1\" morerows=\"2\" rowspan=\"3\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e7)\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp; Residential Area\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c2\"\u003e \u003cp\u003eA.\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp; Urban\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"char\" char=\".\" colname=\"c3\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e250\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"char\" char=\".\" colname=\"c4\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e60.24\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003c/tr\u003e \u003ctr\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c2\"\u003e \u003cp\u003eB.\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp; Rural\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"char\" char=\".\" colname=\"c3\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e165\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"char\" char=\".\" colname=\"c4\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e39.76\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003c/tr\u003e \u003ctr\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c2\"\u003e \u003cp\u003eTotal\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"char\" char=\".\" colname=\"c3\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e415\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"char\" char=\".\" colname=\"c4\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e100.00\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003c/tr\u003e \u003ctr\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c1\" morerows=\"3\" rowspan=\"4\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e8)\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp; Family Structure\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c2\"\u003e \u003cp\u003eA.\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp; Single\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"char\" char=\".\" colname=\"c3\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e20\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"char\" char=\".\" colname=\"c4\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e4.82\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003c/tr\u003e \u003ctr\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c2\"\u003e \u003cp\u003eB.\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp; Married\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"char\" char=\".\" colname=\"c3\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e380\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"char\" char=\".\" colname=\"c4\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e91.57\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003c/tr\u003e \u003ctr\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c2\"\u003e \u003cp\u003eC.\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp; Living alone\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"char\" char=\".\" colname=\"c3\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e15\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"char\" char=\".\" colname=\"c4\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e3.61\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003c/tr\u003e \u003ctr\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c2\"\u003e \u003cp\u003eTotal\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"char\" char=\".\" colname=\"c3\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e415\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"char\" char=\".\" colname=\"c4\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e100.00\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003c/tr\u003e \u003ctr\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c1\" morerows=\"2\" rowspan=\"3\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e9)\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp; Health Insurance Coverage\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c2\"\u003e \u003cp\u003eA.\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp; Yes\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"char\" char=\".\" colname=\"c3\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e380\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"char\" char=\".\" colname=\"c4\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e91.57\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003c/tr\u003e \u003ctr\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c2\"\u003e \u003cp\u003eB.\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp; No\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"char\" char=\".\" colname=\"c3\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e35\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"char\" char=\".\" colname=\"c4\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e8.43\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003c/tr\u003e \u003ctr\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c2\"\u003e \u003cp\u003eTotal\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"char\" char=\".\" colname=\"c3\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e415\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"char\" char=\".\" colname=\"c4\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e100.00\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003c/tr\u003e \u003ctr\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c1\" morerows=\"2\" rowspan=\"3\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e10)\u0026nbsp; NCD Diagnosis\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c2\"\u003e \u003cp\u003eA.\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp; Yes\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"char\" char=\".\" colname=\"c3\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e198\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"char\" char=\".\" colname=\"c4\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e47.71\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003c/tr\u003e \u003ctr\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c2\"\u003e \u003cp\u003eB.\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp; No\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"char\" char=\".\" colname=\"c3\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e217\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"char\" char=\".\" colname=\"c4\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e52.29\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003c/tr\u003e \u003ctr\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c2\"\u003e \u003cp\u003eTotal\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"char\" char=\".\" colname=\"c3\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e415\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"char\" char=\".\" colname=\"c4\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e100.00\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003c/tr\u003e \u003ctr\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c1\" morerows=\"3\" rowspan=\"4\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e11)\u0026nbsp; Smoking Status\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c2\"\u003e \u003cp\u003eA.\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp; Non-smoker\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"char\" char=\".\" colname=\"c3\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e98\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"char\" char=\".\" colname=\"c4\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e23.61\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003c/tr\u003e \u003ctr\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c2\"\u003e \u003cp\u003eB.\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp; Former smoker\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"char\" char=\".\" colname=\"c3\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e150\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"char\" char=\".\" colname=\"c4\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e36.14\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003c/tr\u003e \u003ctr\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c2\"\u003e \u003cp\u003eC.\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp; Current smoker\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"char\" char=\".\" colname=\"c3\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e167\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"char\" char=\".\" colname=\"c4\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e40.24\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003c/tr\u003e \u003ctr\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c2\"\u003e \u003cp\u003eTotal\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"char\" char=\".\" colname=\"c3\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e415\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"char\" char=\".\" colname=\"c4\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e100.00\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003c/tr\u003e \u003ctr\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c1\" morerows=\"3\" rowspan=\"4\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e12)\u0026nbsp; Alcohol Consumption\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c2\"\u003e \u003cp\u003eA.\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp; Non-drinker\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"char\" char=\".\" colname=\"c3\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e45\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"char\" char=\".\" colname=\"c4\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e10.84\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003c/tr\u003e \u003ctr\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c2\"\u003e \u003cp\u003eB.\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp; Occasional drinker\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"char\" char=\".\" colname=\"c3\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e120\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"char\" char=\".\" colname=\"c4\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e28.92\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003c/tr\u003e \u003ctr\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c2\"\u003e \u003cp\u003eC.\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp; Regular drinker\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"char\" char=\".\" colname=\"c3\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e250\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"char\" char=\".\" colname=\"c4\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e60.24\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003c/tr\u003e \u003ctr\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c2\"\u003e \u003cp\u003eTotal\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"char\" char=\".\" colname=\"c3\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e415\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"char\" char=\".\" colname=\"c4\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e100.00\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003c/tr\u003e \u003ctr\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c1\" morerows=\"3\" rowspan=\"4\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e13)\u0026nbsp; Physical Activity Level\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c2\"\u003e \u003cp\u003eA.\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp; Sedentary\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"char\" char=\".\" colname=\"c3\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e350\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"char\" char=\".\" colname=\"c4\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e84.34\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003c/tr\u003e \u003ctr\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c2\"\u003e \u003cp\u003eB.\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp; Moderately active\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"char\" char=\".\" colname=\"c3\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e45\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"char\" char=\".\" colname=\"c4\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e10.84\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003c/tr\u003e \u003ctr\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c2\"\u003e \u003cp\u003eC.\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp; Very active\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"char\" char=\".\" colname=\"c3\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e20\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"char\" char=\".\" colname=\"c4\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e4.82\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003c/tr\u003e \u003ctr\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c2\"\u003e \u003cp\u003eTotal\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"char\" char=\".\" colname=\"c3\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e415\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"char\" char=\".\" colname=\"c4\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e100.00\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003c/tr\u003e \u003ctr\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c1\" morerows=\"3\" rowspan=\"4\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e14)\u0026nbsp; Diet Quality\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c2\"\u003e \u003cp\u003eA.\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp; Poor\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"char\" char=\".\" colname=\"c3\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e145\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"char\" char=\".\" colname=\"c4\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e34.94\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003c/tr\u003e \u003ctr\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c2\"\u003e \u003cp\u003eB.\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp; Average\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"char\" char=\".\" colname=\"c3\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e200\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"char\" char=\".\" colname=\"c4\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e48.19\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003c/tr\u003e \u003ctr\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c2\"\u003e \u003cp\u003eC.\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp; Healthy\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"char\" char=\".\" colname=\"c3\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e70\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"char\" char=\".\" colname=\"c4\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e16.87\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003c/tr\u003e \u003ctr\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c2\"\u003e \u003cp\u003eTotal\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"char\" char=\".\" colname=\"c3\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e415\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"char\" char=\".\" colname=\"c4\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e100.00\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003c/tr\u003e \u003ctr\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c1\" morerows=\"3\" rowspan=\"4\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e15)\u0026nbsp; Knowledge of NCDs\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c2\"\u003e \u003cp\u003eA.\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp; Low\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"char\" char=\".\" colname=\"c3\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e215\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"char\" char=\".\" colname=\"c4\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e51.81\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003c/tr\u003e \u003ctr\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c2\"\u003e \u003cp\u003eB.\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp; Moderate\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"char\" char=\".\" colname=\"c3\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e122\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"char\" char=\".\" colname=\"c4\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e29.40\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003c/tr\u003e \u003ctr\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c2\"\u003e \u003cp\u003eC.\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp; High\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"char\" char=\".\" colname=\"c3\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e78\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"char\" char=\".\" colname=\"c4\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e18.80\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003c/tr\u003e \u003ctr\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c2\"\u003e \u003cp\u003eTotal\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"char\" char=\".\" colname=\"c3\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e415\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"char\" char=\".\" colname=\"c4\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e100.00\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003c/tr\u003e \u003c/tbody\u003e \u003c/colgroup\u003e \u003c/table\u003e\u003c/div\u003e \u003c/p\u003e \u003cp\u003e \u003cb\u003eCommunity\u0026rsquo;s awareness toward prevention and control of NCDs\u003c/b\u003e \u003c/p\u003e \u003cp\u003eThe majority of community members, 357 individuals (86.02%), agreed that non-communicable diseases (NCDs) were prevalent among people in their community in Nekemte town, East Wollega Zone. In addition, many community members emphasized the importance of several preventive measures: 378 individuals (91.02%) highlighted the significance of maintaining a healthy diet, 239 individuals (58.00%) stressed the importance of regular physical activity, 268 individuals (65.00%) underscored the need to avoid smoking, and 240 individuals (58.00%) pointed out the benefits of limiting alcohol consumption.\u003c/p\u003e \u003cp\u003e \u003cdiv class=\"gridtable\"\u003e\u003ctable float=\"Yes\" id=\"Tab2\" border=\"1\"\u003e \u003ccaption language=\"En\"\u003e \u003cdiv class=\"CaptionNumber\"\u003eTable 2\u003c/div\u003e \u003cdiv class=\"CaptionContent\"\u003e \u003cp\u003eCommunity knowledge and attitude toward prevention and control of NCDs, 2024\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/div\u003e \u003c/caption\u003e \u003ccolgroup cols=\"4\"\u003e \u003cdiv align=\"left\" class=\"colspec\" colname=\"c1\" colnum=\"1\"\u003e\u003c/div\u003e \u003cdiv align=\"left\" class=\"colspec\" colname=\"c2\" colnum=\"2\"\u003e\u003c/div\u003e \u003cdiv align=\"char\" char=\".\" class=\"colspec\" colname=\"c3\" colnum=\"3\"\u003e\u003c/div\u003e \u003cdiv align=\"char\" char=\".\" class=\"colspec\" colname=\"c4\" colnum=\"4\"\u003e\u003c/div\u003e \u003cthead\u003e \u003ctr\u003e \u003cth align=\"left\" colname=\"c1\"\u003e \u003cp\u003eCharacteristics\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/th\u003e \u003cth align=\"left\" colname=\"c2\"\u003e \u003cp\u003eCategory\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/th\u003e \u003cth align=\"left\" colname=\"c3\"\u003e \u003cp\u003eFrequency\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/th\u003e \u003cth align=\"left\" colname=\"c4\"\u003e \u003cp\u003ePercentage\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/th\u003e \u003c/tr\u003e \u003c/thead\u003e \u003ctbody\u003e \u003ctr\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c1\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e1) Do you know NCD\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c2\"\u003e \u003cp\u003eA. Yes\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"char\" char=\".\" colname=\"c3\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e315\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"char\" char=\".\" colname=\"c4\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e75.90\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003c/tr\u003e \u003ctr\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c1\"\u003e\u0026nbsp;\u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c2\"\u003e \u003cp\u003eB. No\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"char\" char=\".\" colname=\"c3\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e100\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"char\" char=\".\" colname=\"c4\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e24.10\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003c/tr\u003e \u003ctr\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c1\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e2) NCD\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c2\"\u003e \u003cp\u003eA. High blood pressure\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"char\" char=\".\" colname=\"c3\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e112\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"char\" char=\".\" colname=\"c4\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e26.99\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003c/tr\u003e \u003ctr\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c1\"\u003e\u0026nbsp;\u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c2\"\u003e \u003cp\u003eB. Diabetes\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"char\" char=\".\" colname=\"c3\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e94\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"char\" char=\".\" colname=\"c4\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e22.65\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003c/tr\u003e \u003ctr\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c1\"\u003e\u0026nbsp;\u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c2\"\u003e \u003cp\u003eC. Cardio vascular diseases\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"char\" char=\".\" colname=\"c3\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e65\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"char\" char=\".\" colname=\"c4\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e15.66\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003c/tr\u003e \u003ctr\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c1\"\u003e\u0026nbsp;\u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c2\"\u003e \u003cp\u003eD. Ulcer\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"char\" char=\".\" colname=\"c3\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e54\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"char\" char=\".\" colname=\"c4\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e13.01\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003c/tr\u003e \u003ctr\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c1\"\u003e\u0026nbsp;\u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c2\"\u003e \u003cp\u003eE. Cancer\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"char\" char=\".\" colname=\"c3\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e60\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"char\" char=\".\" colname=\"c4\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e14.46\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003c/tr\u003e \u003ctr\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c1\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e3) Is NCD preventable\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c2\"\u003e \u003cp\u003eA. Yes\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"char\" char=\".\" colname=\"c3\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e350\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"char\" char=\".\" colname=\"c4\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e84.34\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003c/tr\u003e \u003ctr\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c1\"\u003e\u0026nbsp;\u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c2\"\u003e \u003cp\u003eB. No\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"char\" char=\".\" colname=\"c3\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e65\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"char\" char=\".\" colname=\"c4\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e15.66\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003c/tr\u003e \u003ctr\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c1\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e4) NCDs are preventable\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c2\"\u003e \u003cp\u003eA. Yes\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"char\" char=\".\" colname=\"c3\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e365\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"char\" char=\".\" colname=\"c4\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e87.95\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003c/tr\u003e \u003ctr\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c1\"\u003e\u0026nbsp;\u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c2\"\u003e \u003cp\u003eB. No\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"char\" char=\".\" colname=\"c3\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e50\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"char\" char=\".\" colname=\"c4\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e12.05\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003c/tr\u003e \u003ctr\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c1\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e5) Ways of preventing NCDs\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c2\"\u003e \u003cp\u003eA. No- smoking\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"char\" char=\".\" colname=\"c3\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e133\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"char\" char=\".\" colname=\"c4\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e32.05\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003c/tr\u003e \u003ctr\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c1\"\u003e\u0026nbsp;\u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c2\"\u003e \u003cp\u003eB. Regular physical activities\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"char\" char=\".\" colname=\"c3\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e116\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"char\" char=\".\" colname=\"c4\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e27.95\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003c/tr\u003e \u003ctr\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c1\"\u003e\u0026nbsp;\u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c2\"\u003e \u003cp\u003eC. Health diets\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"char\" char=\".\" colname=\"c3\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e249\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"char\" char=\".\" colname=\"c4\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e60.00\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003c/tr\u003e \u003ctr\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c1\"\u003e\u0026nbsp;\u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c2\"\u003e \u003cp\u003eD. Limiting alcohol consumption\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"char\" char=\".\" colname=\"c3\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e70\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"char\" char=\".\" colname=\"c4\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e16.87\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003c/tr\u003e \u003ctr\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c1\"\u003e\u0026nbsp;\u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c2\"\u003e \u003cp\u003eE. Reducing environmental exposure\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"char\" char=\".\" colname=\"c3\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e154\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"char\" char=\".\" colname=\"c4\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e37.11\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003c/tr\u003e \u003ctr\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c1\"\u003e\u0026nbsp;\u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c2\"\u003e \u003cp\u003eF. others\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"char\" char=\".\" colname=\"c3\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e29\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"char\" char=\".\" colname=\"c4\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e6.99\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003c/tr\u003e \u003ctr\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c1\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e6) NCDs are curable\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c2\"\u003e \u003cp\u003eA. Yes\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"char\" char=\".\" colname=\"c3\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e390\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"char\" char=\".\" colname=\"c4\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e93.98\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003c/tr\u003e \u003ctr\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c1\"\u003e\u0026nbsp;\u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c2\"\u003e \u003cp\u003eB. No\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"char\" char=\".\" colname=\"c3\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e26\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"char\" char=\".\" colname=\"c4\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e6.27\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003c/tr\u003e \u003c/tbody\u003e \u003c/colgroup\u003e \u003c/table\u003e\u003c/div\u003e \u003c/p\u003e \u003cp\u003eFurthermore, in terms of their knowledge and potential practices, nearly all community members, 400 individuals (96.40%), recognized that they had an active role to play in the prevention and control of NCDs within their environment and homes. This high level of awareness and sense of responsibility indicates a strong community commitment to mitigating the risk of NCDs through lifestyle changes and environmental management ( Table\u0026nbsp;\u003cspan refid=\"Tab3\" class=\"InternalRef\"\u003e3\u003c/span\u003e).\u003c/p\u003e \u003cp\u003e \u003cdiv class=\"gridtable\"\u003e\u003ctable float=\"Yes\" id=\"Tab3\" border=\"1\"\u003e \u003ccaption language=\"En\"\u003e \u003cdiv class=\"CaptionNumber\"\u003eTable 3\u003c/div\u003e \u003cdiv class=\"CaptionContent\"\u003e \u003cp\u003eCommunity\u0026rsquo;s awareness toward prevention and control of NCDs and its associated factors in Nekmete town, East Wollega Zone\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/div\u003e \u003c/caption\u003e \u003ccolgroup cols=\"4\"\u003e \u003cdiv align=\"left\" class=\"colspec\" colname=\"c1\" colnum=\"1\"\u003e\u003c/div\u003e \u003cdiv align=\"left\" class=\"colspec\" colname=\"c2\" colnum=\"2\"\u003e\u003c/div\u003e \u003cdiv align=\"char\" char=\".\" class=\"colspec\" colname=\"c3\" colnum=\"3\"\u003e\u003c/div\u003e \u003cdiv align=\"char\" char=\".\" class=\"colspec\" colname=\"c4\" colnum=\"4\"\u003e\u003c/div\u003e \u003cthead\u003e \u003ctr\u003e \u003cth align=\"left\" colname=\"c1\"\u003e \u003cp\u003ePerceptions towards NCDs\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/th\u003e \u003cth align=\"left\" colname=\"c2\"\u003e \u003cp\u003eCategory\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/th\u003e \u003cth align=\"left\" colname=\"c3\"\u003e \u003cp\u003eFrequency\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/th\u003e \u003cth align=\"left\" colname=\"c4\"\u003e \u003cp\u003ePercentages\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/th\u003e \u003c/tr\u003e \u003c/thead\u003e \u003ctbody\u003e \u003ctr\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c1\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e1) Presence of NCDs among community\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c2\"\u003e \u003cp\u003eA. Agree\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"char\" char=\".\" colname=\"c3\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e357\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"char\" char=\".\" colname=\"c4\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e86.02\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003c/tr\u003e \u003ctr\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c1\"\u003e\u0026nbsp;\u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c2\"\u003e \u003cp\u003eB. Disagree\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"char\" char=\".\" colname=\"c3\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e50\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"char\" char=\".\" colname=\"c4\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e12.04\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003c/tr\u003e \u003ctr\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c1\"\u003e\u0026nbsp;\u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c2\"\u003e \u003cp\u003eC. No\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"char\" char=\".\" colname=\"c3\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e8\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"char\" char=\".\" colname=\"c4\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e1.92\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003c/tr\u003e \u003ctr\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c1\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e2) \u003cb\u003eImportance of NCDs risk factors\u003c/b\u003e\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c2\"\u003e\u0026nbsp;\u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c3\"\u003e\u0026nbsp;\u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c4\"\u003e\u0026nbsp;\u003c/td\u003e \u003c/tr\u003e \u003ctr\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c1\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e2.1. Avoiding smoking / using tobacco\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c2\"\u003e \u003cp\u003eA. Very important\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"char\" char=\".\" colname=\"c3\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e268\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"char\" char=\".\" colname=\"c4\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e64.57\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003c/tr\u003e \u003ctr\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c1\"\u003e\u0026nbsp;\u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c2\"\u003e \u003cp\u003eB. Important\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"char\" char=\".\" colname=\"c3\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e70\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"char\" char=\".\" colname=\"c4\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e16.86\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003c/tr\u003e \u003ctr\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c1\"\u003e\u0026nbsp;\u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c2\"\u003e \u003cp\u003eC. Fairly important\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"char\" char=\".\" colname=\"c3\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e61\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"char\" char=\".\" colname=\"c4\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e14.69\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003c/tr\u003e \u003ctr\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c1\"\u003e\u0026nbsp;\u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c2\"\u003e \u003cp\u003eD. Not Important\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"char\" char=\".\" colname=\"c3\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e16\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"char\" char=\".\" colname=\"c4\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e3.85\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003c/tr\u003e \u003ctr\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c1\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e2.2. Limiting alcohol use\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c2\"\u003e \u003cp\u003eA. Very important\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"char\" char=\".\" colname=\"c3\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e240\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"char\" char=\".\" colname=\"c4\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e57.83\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003c/tr\u003e \u003ctr\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c1\"\u003e\u0026nbsp;\u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c2\"\u003e \u003cp\u003eB. Important\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"char\" char=\".\" colname=\"c3\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e68\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"char\" char=\".\" colname=\"c4\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e16.38\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003c/tr\u003e \u003ctr\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c1\"\u003e\u0026nbsp;\u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c2\"\u003e \u003cp\u003eC. Fairly important\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"char\" char=\".\" colname=\"c3\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e87\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"char\" char=\".\" colname=\"c4\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e20.96\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003c/tr\u003e \u003ctr\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c1\"\u003e\u0026nbsp;\u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c2\"\u003e \u003cp\u003eD. Not Important\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"char\" char=\".\" colname=\"c3\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e20\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"char\" char=\".\" colname=\"c4\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e4.81\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003c/tr\u003e \u003ctr\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c1\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e2.3. Physical activity\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c2\"\u003e \u003cp\u003eA. Very important\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"char\" char=\".\" colname=\"c3\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e239\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"char\" char=\".\" colname=\"c4\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e57.59\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003c/tr\u003e \u003ctr\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c1\"\u003e\u0026nbsp;\u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c2\"\u003e \u003cp\u003eB. Important\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"char\" char=\".\" colname=\"c3\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e69\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"char\" char=\".\" colname=\"c4\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e16.62\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003c/tr\u003e \u003ctr\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c1\"\u003e\u0026nbsp;\u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c2\"\u003e \u003cp\u003eC. Fairly important\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"char\" char=\".\" colname=\"c3\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e87\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"char\" char=\".\" colname=\"c4\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e20.96\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003c/tr\u003e \u003ctr\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c1\"\u003e\u0026nbsp;\u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c2\"\u003e \u003cp\u003eD. Not Important\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"char\" char=\".\" colname=\"c3\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e20\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"char\" char=\".\" colname=\"c4\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e4.81\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003c/tr\u003e \u003ctr\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c1\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e2.4. Healthy diet\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c2\"\u003e \u003cp\u003eA. Very important\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"char\" char=\".\" colname=\"c3\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e378\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"char\" char=\".\" colname=\"c4\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e91.08\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003c/tr\u003e \u003ctr\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c1\"\u003e\u0026nbsp;\u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c2\"\u003e \u003cp\u003eB. Important\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"char\" char=\".\" colname=\"c3\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e25\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"char\" char=\".\" colname=\"c4\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e6.02\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003c/tr\u003e \u003ctr\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c1\"\u003e\u0026nbsp;\u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c2\"\u003e \u003cp\u003eC. Fairly important\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"char\" char=\".\" colname=\"c3\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e9\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"char\" char=\".\" colname=\"c4\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e2.16\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003c/tr\u003e \u003ctr\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c1\"\u003e\u0026nbsp;\u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c2\"\u003e \u003cp\u003eD. Not Important\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"char\" char=\".\" colname=\"c3\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e3\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"char\" char=\".\" colname=\"c4\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e0.72\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003c/tr\u003e \u003c/tbody\u003e \u003c/colgroup\u003e \u003c/table\u003e\u003c/div\u003e \u003c/p\u003e \u003cp\u003eIn the study area of Nekemte town, East Wollega Zone, there is a significant lack of intervention and awareness practices concerning the prevention and control of non-communicable diseases (NCDs). Among the total health workers, a notable proportion of community health workers (CHWs), 27.00% (13 individuals), who were involved in NCD prevention and control reported facing several challenges. These challenges included inadequate knowledge about NCDs, insufficient training, and negative perceptions within the community towards these diseases ( Table\u0026nbsp;\u003cspan refid=\"Tab4\" class=\"InternalRef\"\u003e4\u003c/span\u003e).\u003c/p\u003e \u003cp\u003e \u003cdiv class=\"gridtable\"\u003e\u003ctable float=\"Yes\" id=\"Tab4\" border=\"1\"\u003e \u003ccaption language=\"En\"\u003e \u003cdiv class=\"CaptionNumber\"\u003eTable 4\u003c/div\u003e \u003cdiv class=\"CaptionContent\"\u003e \u003cp\u003eCommunity Health Workers involvement in prevention and Control of NCDs, (n\u0026thinsp;=\u0026thinsp;30).\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/div\u003e \u003c/caption\u003e \u003ccolgroup cols=\"4\"\u003e \u003cdiv align=\"left\" class=\"colspec\" colname=\"c1\" colnum=\"1\"\u003e\u003c/div\u003e \u003cdiv align=\"left\" class=\"colspec\" colname=\"c2\" colnum=\"2\"\u003e\u003c/div\u003e \u003cdiv align=\"char\" char=\".\" class=\"colspec\" colname=\"c3\" colnum=\"3\"\u003e\u003c/div\u003e \u003cdiv align=\"left\" class=\"colspec\" colname=\"c4\" colnum=\"4\"\u003e\u003c/div\u003e \u003cthead\u003e \u003ctr\u003e \u003cth align=\"left\" colname=\"c1\"\u003e \u003cp\u003eItems\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/th\u003e \u003cth align=\"left\" colname=\"c2\"\u003e \u003cp\u003eCategory\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/th\u003e \u003cth align=\"left\" colname=\"c3\"\u003e \u003cp\u003eFrequency\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/th\u003e \u003cth align=\"left\" colname=\"c4\"\u003e \u003cp\u003ePercentages\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/th\u003e \u003c/tr\u003e \u003c/thead\u003e \u003ctbody\u003e \u003ctr\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c1\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e1) CHW involvements\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c2\"\u003e \u003cp\u003eA. Yes\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"char\" char=\".\" colname=\"c3\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e13\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c4\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e43.33\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003c/tr\u003e \u003ctr\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c1\"\u003e\u0026nbsp;\u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c2\"\u003e \u003cp\u003eB. No\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"char\" char=\".\" colname=\"c3\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e17\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c4\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e56.66\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003c/tr\u003e \u003ctr\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c1\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e2) Activities\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c2\"\u003e \u003cp\u003eA. Community mobilization\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"char\" char=\".\" colname=\"c3\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e4\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c4\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e13.33\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003c/tr\u003e \u003ctr\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c1\"\u003e\u0026nbsp;\u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c2\"\u003e \u003cp\u003eB. Screening and early detection\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"char\" char=\".\" colname=\"c3\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e8\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c4\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e26.66\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003c/tr\u003e \u003ctr\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c1\"\u003e\u0026nbsp;\u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c2\"\u003e \u003cp\u003eC. Referral\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"char\" char=\".\" colname=\"c3\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e11\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c4\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e36.66\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003c/tr\u003e \u003ctr\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c1\"\u003e\u0026nbsp;\u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c2\"\u003e \u003cp\u003eD. Supporting adherence to treatment\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"char\" char=\".\" colname=\"c3\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e7\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c4\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e23.33\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003c/tr\u003e \u003ctr\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c1\" morerows=\"3\" rowspan=\"4\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e3) CHW engagement for Prevention and Control\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c2\"\u003e \u003cp\u003eA. Cancer\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"char\" char=\".\" colname=\"c3\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e4\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c4\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e13.33\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003c/tr\u003e \u003ctr\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c2\"\u003e \u003cp\u003eB. Diabetes\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"char\" char=\".\" colname=\"c3\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e6\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c4\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e20.00\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003c/tr\u003e \u003ctr\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c2\"\u003e \u003cp\u003eC. HBP\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"char\" char=\".\" colname=\"c3\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e13\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c4\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e43.33\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003c/tr\u003e \u003ctr\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c2\"\u003e \u003cp\u003eD. CVD\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"char\" char=\".\" colname=\"c3\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e7\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c4\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e23.33\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003c/tr\u003e \u003ctr\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c1\"\u003e\u0026nbsp;\u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c2\"\u003e \u003cp\u003eE. Others\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"char\" char=\".\" colname=\"c3\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e30\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c4\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e100.00\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003c/tr\u003e \u003ctr\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c1\" morerows=\"3\" rowspan=\"4\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e4) Challenges involved in the prevention or control of NCDs\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c2\"\u003e \u003cp\u003eA. Lack of knowledge\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"char\" char=\".\" colname=\"c3\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e4\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c4\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e13.33\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003c/tr\u003e \u003ctr\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c2\"\u003e \u003cp\u003eB. Lack of training\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"char\" char=\".\" colname=\"c3\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e8\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c4\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e26.67\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003c/tr\u003e \u003ctr\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c2\"\u003e \u003cp\u003eC. Negative Perception\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"char\" char=\".\" colname=\"c3\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e15\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c4\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e50\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003c/tr\u003e \u003ctr\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c2\"\u003e \u003cp\u003eD. Lack of support\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"char\" char=\".\" colname=\"c3\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e2\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c4\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e6.67\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003c/tr\u003e \u003ctr\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c1\"\u003e\u0026nbsp;\u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c2\"\u003e \u003cp\u003eE. Others\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"char\" char=\".\" colname=\"c3\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e30\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c4\"\u003e \u003cp\u003e100\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/td\u003e \u003c/tr\u003e \u003c/tbody\u003e \u003c/colgroup\u003e \u003c/table\u003e\u003c/div\u003e \u003c/p\u003e \u003cp\u003eThe difficulties experienced by the CHWs were echoed by some community members. Participants in focus group discussions (FGDs) acknowledged that while CHWs were somewhat involved in the prevention and control of NCDs, their efforts were hindered by limited health education on NCDs. This was largely because CHWs were primarily focused on other health issues such as water, sanitation, and hygiene. To address these gaps, it is essential to enhance the training and education of CHWs regarding NCDs, increase community awareness about the importance of NCD prevention and control, and shift some focus towards these pressing health concerns. Comprehensive strategies that integrate NCD education into the broader health agenda, along with targeted interventions and robust community engagement, are crucial for improving the overall health outcomes in Nekemte town.\u003c/p\u003e \u003cp\u003e \u003cb\u003eDiscussion\u003c/b\u003e \u003c/p\u003e \u003cp\u003eThe demographic profile of the study population, comprising predominantly married, well-educated, and economically active individuals, provides valuable insights for designing effective health interventions. With a balanced gender distribution and high education levels, there is a significant opportunity to implement targeted strategies to address health issues within the community. Cultural considerations, particularly regarding the dominant Oromo ethnic group, should guide the development of interventions to ensure cultural relevance and acceptance. Overall, leveraging the demographic characteristics of the population can facilitate the delivery of tailored and impactful health initiatives aimed at improving overall well-being and reducing health disparities within the community.\u003c/p\u003e \u003cp\u003eThe present findings revealed that 75.00% of community members correctly defined and understood non-communicable diseases (NCDs). High blood pressure was identified as the most frequently occurring NCD (27.00%), followed by diabetes (23.00%), chronic respiratory diseases (16.00%), and ulcers (14.00%). The majority of respondents believed NCDs are preventable (84.00%), while 16.00% thought they are curable with timely treatment. Similar results were reported by multiple authors, indicating that blood pressure and diabetes were the most prevalent non-communicable diseases among the communities (Kamara et al., \u003cspan citationid=\"CR5\" class=\"CitationRef\"\u003e2024\u003c/span\u003e; Memirie et al., \u003cspan citationid=\"CR6\" class=\"CitationRef\"\u003e2022\u003c/span\u003e; Muluneh et al., \u003cspan citationid=\"CR7\" class=\"CitationRef\"\u003e2012\u003c/span\u003e).\u003c/p\u003e \u003cp\u003eMoreover, the community demonstrated awareness of various NCD risk factors, including environmental pollution and lifestyle practices. Key prevention strategies identified included maintaining a healthy diet (60.00%), reducing exposure to environmental pollutants (37.00%), and avoiding smoking (32.00%). This underscores the community's recognition of both environmental and lifestyle factors in NCD prevention(Muluneh et al., \u003cspan citationid=\"CR7\" class=\"CitationRef\"\u003e2012\u003c/span\u003e).\u003c/p\u003e \u003cp\u003eThe majority of community members in Nekemte town, East Wollega Zone (86.02%), recognized the prevalence of non-communicable diseases (NCDs) among people in their community. Additionally, a significant number of individuals emphasized various preventive measures: maintaining a healthy diet (91.02%), regular physical activity (58.00%), avoidance of smoking (65.00%), and limiting alcohol consumption (58.00%) which is similar with previous reports (Jeet et al., \u003cspan citationid=\"CR3\" class=\"CitationRef\"\u003e2017\u003c/span\u003e; Joshi et al., 2019).\u003c/p\u003e \u003cp\u003eThe challenges faced by Community Health Workers (CHWs) in addressing non-communicable diseases (NCDs) were recognized by community members themselves, as revealed in focus group discussions (FGDs). While CHWs were involved to some extent in NCD prevention and control, their effectiveness was hampered by limited education on NCDs. This was often due to CHWs primarily focusing on other health issues such as water, sanitation, and hygiene.\u003c/p\u003e \u003cp\u003eTo bridge these gaps, there is a crucial need to enhance the training and education of CHWs regarding NCDs. Additionally, increasing community awareness about the importance of NCD prevention and control is vital. Shifting some focus towards these pressing health concerns within CHW programs is also necessary. Comprehensive strategies that integrate NCD education into the broader health agenda, coupled with targeted interventions and robust community engagement, are essential for improving overall health outcomes in Nekemte town.\u003c/p\u003e \u003cp\u003eThe demographic profile of the study population in Nekemte town, characterized by predominantly married, well-educated, and economically active individuals, presents a promising opportunity for designing effective health interventions. With a balanced gender distribution and high levels of education, there is potential to implement targeted strategies aimed at addressing health issues within the community. Cultural considerations, particularly regarding the dominant Oromo ethnic group, should guide the development of interventions to ensure cultural relevance and acceptance. Leveraging these demographic characteristics can facilitate the delivery of tailored and impactful health initiatives aimed at improving overall well-being and reducing health disparities within the community.\u003c/p\u003e \u003cp\u003eThe study revealed that a substantial proportion of community members correctly understood non-communicable diseases (NCDs) and recognized their preventable nature. High blood pressure and diabetes emerged as the most prevalent NCDs, consistent with findings from other studies. Furthermore, the community demonstrated awareness of various NCD risk factors, emphasizing the importance of maintaining a healthy diet, reducing exposure to environmental pollutants, and avoiding smoking.\u003c/p\u003e \u003cp\u003eHowever, challenges faced by Community Health Workers (CHWs) in addressing NCDs were identified, including limited education on NCDs and a primary focus on other health issues. To address these challenges, it is essential to enhance the training and education of CHWs regarding NCDs and increase community awareness about the importance of NCD prevention and control. Shifting some focus towards NCDs within CHW programs and implementing comprehensive strategies that integrate NCD education into broader health agendas are vital steps toward improving overall health outcomes in Nekemte town.\u003c/p\u003e \u003c/div\u003e"},{"header":"Declarations","content":" \u003ch2\u003eConsent to Participate\u003c/strong\u003e \u003cp\u003eParticipants in this study provided informed consent prior to their involvement. They were briefed on the purpose of the research, the methods employed, and their rights as participants. Participants were assured of confidentiality and were informed that their involvement was voluntary, with the option to withdraw at any time without consequences. Consent was obtained through signed consent forms.\u003c/p\u003e\u003ch2\u003eEthics Declaration\u003c/h2\u003e \u003cp\u003e This study, \"Assessing Community Awareness and Engagement in the Prevention and Control of Non-Communicable Diseases (NCDs) in East Wollega Zone, Nekemte town: A Comprehensive Study,\" was conducted in accordance with the ethical principles outlined in the Declaration of Helsinki. Ethical approval was obtained from East Wollega Zone and Wollega Universit, Research and Community Committee borde prior to the commencement of data collection. Participants were informed about the purpose of the study, the voluntary nature of their participation, and their right to withdraw at any time without repercussions. Written informed consent was obtained from all participants before their inclusion in the study. Confidentiality of participants' data was strictly maintained throughout the study period, and data were anonymized during analysis and reporting.\u003c/p\u003e \u003ch2\u003eFunding sources\u003c/h2\u003e \u003cp\u003eNo funding sources\u003c/p\u003e\u003ch2\u003eAuthor Contribution\u003c/h2\u003e\u003cp\u003eAll authors reviewed the manuscriptDA, design and write the ,manuscriptAN, write design and evaluate the paperTT, supervisie and evlaute a, edit\u003c/p\u003e"},{"header":"References","content":"\u003col\u003e\u003cli\u003e\u003cspan\u003eAbebe SM, Andargie G, Shimeka A, Alemu K, Kebede Y, Wubeshet M, Tariku A, Gebeyehu A, Bayisa M, Yitayal M, Awoke T, Azmeraw T, Birku M. (2017). The prevalence of non-communicable diseases in northwest Ethiopia: Survey of Dabat Health and Demographic Surveillance System. In \u003cem\u003eBMJ Open\u003c/em\u003e (Vol. 7, Issue 10). \u003cspan class=\"ExternalRef\"\u003e\u003cspan class=\"RefSource\"\u003ehttps://doi.org/10.1136/bmjopen-2016-015496\u003c/span\u003e\u003cspan address=\"10.1136/bmjopen-2016-015496\" targettype=\"DOI\" class=\"RefTarget\"\u003e\u003c/span\u003e\u003c/span\u003e.\u003c/span\u003e\u003c/li\u003e \u003cli\u003e\u003cspan\u003eChego M, Adeba E, Taye A. Evaluation of Pattern of Community Engagement in District Health Care in East Wollega: Qualitative Study. J Community Med Health Educ. 2018;08(03). \u003cspan class=\"ExternalRef\"\u003e\u003cspan class=\"RefSource\"\u003ehttps://doi.org/10.4172/2161-0711.1000612\u003c/span\u003e\u003cspan address=\"10.4172/2161-0711.1000612\" targettype=\"DOI\" class=\"RefTarget\"\u003e\u003c/span\u003e\u003c/span\u003e.\u003c/span\u003e\u003c/li\u003e \u003cli\u003e\u003cspan\u003eJeet G, Thakur J, Prinja S, one MS-P, Prinja S. 2017, undefined. (2017). Community health workers for non-communicable diseases prevention and control in developing countries: evidence and implications. \u003cem\u003eJournals.Plos.OrgG Jeet\u003c/em\u003e, JS Thakur, S Prinja, \u003cem\u003eM SinghPloS One, 2017\u0026bull;journals.Plos.Org\u003c/em\u003e, \u003cem\u003e12\u003c/em\u003e(7). \u003cspan class=\"ExternalRef\"\u003e\u003cspan class=\"RefSource\"\u003ehttps://doi.org/10.1371/journal.pone.0180640\u003c/span\u003e\u003cspan address=\"10.1371/journal.pone.0180640\" targettype=\"DOI\" class=\"RefTarget\"\u003e\u003c/span\u003e\u003c/span\u003e.\u003c/span\u003e\u003c/li\u003e \u003cli\u003e\u003cspan\u003eJoshi R, Health DP-TLG. \u0026amp; 2019, undefined. (2019). Task-sharing for the prevention and control of non-communicable diseases. \u003cem\u003eThelancet.ComR Joshi, D PeirisThe Lancet Global Health, 2019\u0026bull;thelancet.Com\u003c/em\u003e, \u003cem\u003e7\u003c/em\u003e(6), e686\u0026ndash;e687. \u003cspan class=\"ExternalRef\"\u003e\u003cspan class=\"RefSource\"\u003ehttps://doi.org/10.1016/S2214-109X(19)30161-5\u003c/span\u003e\u003cspan address=\"10.1016/S2214-109X(19)30161-5\" targettype=\"DOI\" class=\"RefTarget\"\u003e\u003c/span\u003e\u003c/span\u003e.\u003c/span\u003e\u003c/li\u003e \u003cli\u003e\u003cspan\u003eKamara IF, Tengbe SM, Bah AJ, Nuwagira I, Ali DB, Koroma FF, Kamara RZ, Lakoh S, Sesay S, Russell JBW, Theobald S, Lyons M. Prevalence of hypertension, diabetes mellitus, and their risk factors in an informal settlement in Freetown, Sierra Leone: a cross-sectional study. BMC Public Health. 2024;24(1). \u003cspan class=\"ExternalRef\"\u003e\u003cspan class=\"RefSource\"\u003ehttps://doi.org/10.1186/s12889-024-18158-w\u003c/span\u003e\u003cspan address=\"10.1186/s12889-024-18158-w\" targettype=\"DOI\" class=\"RefTarget\"\u003e\u003c/span\u003e\u003c/span\u003e.\u003c/span\u003e\u003c/li\u003e \u003cli\u003e\u003cspan\u003eMemirie ST, Dagnaw WW, Habtemariam MK, Bekele A, Yadeta D, Bekele A, Bekele W, Gedefaw M, Assefa M, Tolla MT, Misganaw A, Gupta N, Bukhman G, Norheim OF. Addressing the Impact of Noncommunicable Diseases and Injuries (NCDIs) in Ethiopia: Findings and Recommendations from the Ethiopia NCDI Commission. Ethiop J Health Sci. 2022;32(1):161. \u003cspan class=\"ExternalRef\"\u003e\u003cspan class=\"RefSource\"\u003ehttps://doi.org/10.4314/EJHS.V32I1.18\u003c/span\u003e\u003cspan address=\"10.4314/EJHS.V32I1.18\" targettype=\"DOI\" class=\"RefTarget\"\u003e\u003c/span\u003e\u003c/span\u003e.\u003c/span\u003e\u003c/li\u003e \u003cli\u003e\u003cspan\u003eMuluneh AT, Haileamlak A, Tessema F, Alemseged F, Woldemichael K, Asefa M, Mamo Y, Tamiru S, Abebe G, Deribew A, Abebe M. (2012). Population based survey of chronic non-communicable diseases at gilgel gibe field research center, southwest ethiopia. Ethiop J Health Sci, \u003cem\u003e22\u003c/em\u003e(S).\u003c/span\u003e\u003c/li\u003e \u003cli\u003e\u003cspan\u003eQuesta K, Das M, King R, Everitt M, Rassi C, Cartwright C, Ferdous T, Barua D, Putnis N, Snell AC, Huque R, Newell J, Elsey H. (2020). Community engagement interventions for communicable disease control in low- A nd lower-middle-income countries: Evidence from a review of systematic reviews. In \u003cem\u003eInternational Journal for Equity in Health\u003c/em\u003e (Vol. 19, Issue 1). \u003cspan class=\"ExternalRef\"\u003e\u003cspan class=\"RefSource\"\u003ehttps://doi.org/10.1186/s12939-020-01169-5\u003c/span\u003e\u003cspan address=\"10.1186/s12939-020-01169-5\" targettype=\"DOI\" class=\"RefTarget\"\u003e\u003c/span\u003e\u003c/span\u003e.\u003c/span\u003e\u003c/li\u003e \u003cli\u003e\u003cspan\u003eTesfay FH, Zorbas C, Alston L, Backholer K, Bowe SJ, Bennett CM. Prevalence of chronic non-communicable diseases in Ethiopia: A systematic review and meta-analysis of evidence. Front Public Health. 2022;10. \u003cspan class=\"ExternalRef\"\u003e\u003cspan class=\"RefSource\"\u003ehttps://doi.org/10.3389/fpubh.2022.936482\u003c/span\u003e\u003cspan address=\"10.3389/fpubh.2022.936482\" targettype=\"DOI\" class=\"RefTarget\"\u003e\u003c/span\u003e\u003c/span\u003e.\u003c/span\u003e\u003c/li\u003e\u003c/ol\u003e"}],"fulltextSource":"","fullText":"","funders":[],"hasAdminPriorityOnWorkflow":false,"hasManuscriptDocX":true,"hasOptedInToPreprint":true,"hasPassedJournalQc":"","hasAnyPriority":false,"hideJournal":false,"highlight":"","institution":"","isAcceptedByJournal":false,"isAuthorSuppliedPdf":false,"isDeskRejected":"","isHiddenFromSearch":false,"isInQc":false,"isInWorkflow":false,"isPdf":false,"isPdfUpToDate":true,"isWithdrawnOrRetracted":false,"journal":{"display":true,"email":"[email protected]","identity":"international-journal-for-equity-in-health","isNatureJournal":false,"hasQc":true,"allowDirectSubmit":false,"externalIdentity":"ijeh","sideBox":"Learn more about [International Journal for Equity in Health](http://equityhealthj.biomedcentral.com)","snPcode":"12939","submissionUrl":"https://submission.nature.com/new-submission/12939/3","title":"International Journal for Equity in Health","twitterHandle":"@equityhealthj","acdcEnabled":true,"dfaEnabled":true,"editorialSystem":"em","reportingPortfolio":"BMC/SO AJ","inReviewEnabled":true,"inReviewRevisionsEnabled":true},"keywords":"Non-communicable diseases (NCDs), Community awareness, Nekemte Town Health behaviors, Health education, Public health interventions and Healthcare access","lastPublishedDoi":"10.21203/rs.3.rs-4610377/v1","lastPublishedDoiUrl":"https://doi.org/10.21203/rs.3.rs-4610377/v1","license":{"name":"CC BY 4.0","url":"https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/4.0/"},"manuscriptAbstract":"\u003cp\u003eBackground: Non-communicable diseases (NCDs) pose a significant health challenge globally, including in East Wollega Zone, Ethiopia, particularly in Nekemte town. The burden of NCDs is rising, necessitating a thorough assessment of community awareness and engagement for effective prevention and control strategies. This study aims to assess the level of community awareness and engagement in NCD prevention and control in \u003cstrong\u003eNekemte town, East Wollega Zone\u003c/strong\u003e,, with more emphasis evaluating awareness levels, health behaviors, existing programs, barriers to engagement, and best practices. A mixed-methods approach was employed, including surveys, interviews, focus group discussions, and review of existing data and literature. Demographic data, prevalence rates, awareness levels, health behaviors, and community perceptions were collected and analyzed. The study will provide insights into the current state of community awareness and engagement regarding NCDs in Nekemte town. Findings were including awareness gaps, prevalent health behaviors, barriers to engagement, and successful community programs. For further intervention, evidence-based interventions and policies aimed at improving community awareness, promoting healthy behaviors, reducing NCD burden, and enhancing community engagement in Nekemte town and similar settings. The study is very important and has the potential to improve health outcomes, optimize resource allocation, reduce disparities, empower communities, inform policies, contribute to academic knowledge, and impact global health initiatives related to NCD prevention and control.\u003c/p\u003e","manuscriptTitle":"Assessing Community Awareness and Engagement in the Prevention and Control of Non-Communicable Diseases (NCDs) in East Wollega Zone, Nekemte town: A Comprehensive Study","msid":"","msnumber":"","nonDraftVersions":[{"code":1,"date":"2024-07-23 06:30:46","doi":"10.21203/rs.3.rs-4610377/v1","editorialEvents":[{"type":"communityComments","content":0},{"type":"editorAssigned","content":"","date":"2024-07-05T15:36:40+00:00","index":"","fulltext":""},{"type":"checksComplete","content":"","date":"2024-07-01T00:54:18+00:00","index":"","fulltext":""},{"type":"submitted","content":"International Journal for Equity in Health","date":"2024-06-20T08:35:45+00:00","index":"","fulltext":""}],"status":"published","journal":{"display":true,"email":"[email protected]","identity":"international-journal-for-equity-in-health","isNatureJournal":false,"hasQc":true,"allowDirectSubmit":false,"externalIdentity":"ijeh","sideBox":"Learn more about [International Journal for Equity in Health](http://equityhealthj.biomedcentral.com)","snPcode":"12939","submissionUrl":"https://submission.nature.com/new-submission/12939/3","title":"International Journal for Equity in Health","twitterHandle":"@equityhealthj","acdcEnabled":true,"dfaEnabled":true,"editorialSystem":"em","reportingPortfolio":"BMC/SO AJ","inReviewEnabled":true,"inReviewRevisionsEnabled":true}}],"origin":"","ownerIdentity":"ebdf24e6-21da-4e4a-a9a5-241e0dc9d590","owner":[],"postedDate":"July 23rd, 2024","published":true,"recentEditorialEvents":[],"rejectedJournal":[],"revision":"","amendment":"","status":"under-review","subjectAreas":[],"tags":[],"updatedAt":"2024-07-23T06:30:46+00:00","versionOfRecord":[],"versionCreatedAt":"2024-07-23 06:30:46","video":"","vorDoi":"","vorDoiUrl":"","workflowStages":[]},"version":"v1","identity":"rs-4610377","journalConfig":"researchsquare"},"__N_SSP":true},"page":"/article/[identity]/[[...version]]","query":{"redirect":"/article/rs-4610377","identity":"rs-4610377","version":["v1"]},"buildId":"qtupq5eGEP_6zYnWcrvyt","isFallback":false,"isExperimentalCompile":false,"dynamicIds":[84888],"gssp":true,"scriptLoader":[]}