Over the past five years, cardiovascular diseases have been identified as the second leading cause of death in the Sultanate.

In 2014, out of 1,470 deaths recorded, 227 - or 15.4 per cent - were caused by this deadly disease.

The findings of the Second National Health and Nutritional Status Survey (NHANSS) 2010-2011 showed a very alarming health status for people aged five to 75.

This was highlighted by Ustaz Zulkifli bin Haji Zakaria, Acting Dean of the Faculty of Education, Religious Teachers University College of Seri Begawan (KUPU SB), during a talk on health education held at the institution yesterday.

According to the findings, he added, more than a third of the total population does not follow the national guidelines that suggest people do their physical activities at least 150 minutes a week, while in terms of diet intake, less than 10 per cent of the population meet the target of eating five servings of vegetables or fruits a day.

The acting dean noted that 60.5 per cent of adults has higher Body Mass Index (BMI) of which 33.4 per cent is categorised as overweight while 27.1 per cent obese.

Of this figure, 17.2 per cent is diagnosed with diabetes while 19 per cent has hypertension. Not only that, 33.9 per cent of those aged 20 to 75 have high blood pressure and most of them are in the age group of 40 and above.

"Obesity, hypertension, the use of tobacco products, consumption of non-healthy foods and lack of physical activities are also contributing to non-communicable diseases, particularly cardiovascular diseases.

"What is more worrying is that many of these non-communicable diseases were diagnosed among those aged between 20-30, with diabetes and hypertension the most common diseases," the acting dean explained.

Meanwhile, according to the latest statistics released by the Ministry of Health, the country has recorded 28 HIV cases, which doubled compared to 2014.

Mental illness is also becoming an alarming phenomenon in the country. According to the latest data, 11,000 people are registered with mental illness.

"Out of this, 350 are children and teenagers who are suffering from depression, emotional and behavioural problems," Ustaz Zulkifli said.

KUPU SB is making efforts in increasing awareness on health among its academicians and staff, he said, adding that the health education talk aimed to provide knowledge and information to the staff on non-communicable and communicable diseases, and motivating them to become role models for their students in maintaining a" healthy life, both in the spiritual and physical perspectives.

Source:
@BRUDIRECT.COM

by BruDirect.com

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