Worried over the rising cases of non-communicable diseases in Nigeria, experts recently highlighted several factors contributing to the condition.
These factors fueling non-communicable diseases such as hypertension, diabetes, cancer, stroke, among others, include unhealthy diet, physical inactivity, tobacco use, and excessive alcohol consumption, and environmental factors such as water, sanitation, and hygiene.
The experts spoke recently at a workshop entitled “Rethinking the NCD crisis, having a holistic approach to the debate in Nigeria,” organised by the Brand Journalists Association of Nigeria.
For instance, Ajibola Arewa, of the Department of Finance at Lagos State University, emphasised that NCSs are not caused by one factor, as alleged, but by multiple factors. He said, “We often single out sugar-sweetened beverages as the primary cause of NCDs, but the problem is far deeper, as excessive alcohol consumption, sedentary work culture, lack of physical exercise and lack of preventive care contribute to the disease”.
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Stating that Nigeria’s average sugar intake is below the WHO’s daily limit, he said the rising NCD rates in Nigeria, despite lower sugar consumption compared to some other countries, suggest that numerous other lifestyle and environmental factors are more significant drivers.
Corroborating this assertion, Godswill Iboma, a public health expert, identified the interplay between poor habits and environmental factors, including poor drinking water and pollution, as major causes of NCDs.
Iboma elaborated on various lifestyle modifications for NCD prevention, including: Eliminating tobacco use and supporting legislation against it, engaging in at least 30 minutes of physical activity daily, and among others.
“Your lifestyle, including what you eat and how you exercise daily, can shape a person’s health life. If the water you drink is contaminated or the air you breathe is polluted, you are still at risk of NCDs”, he said.
Iboma maintained that environmental factors are compounding the NCDs cases, such as deforestation, air pollution and changing weather conditions are impacting respiratory health, food production and water availability.
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He said, for instance, in rural areas, lack of access to clean water is directly linked to chronic infections and diseases such as schistosomiasis, which leads to bladder diseases and infertility.
Also speaking, Kanalio Yvonne Olaloku, a health expert, addressed the issue from evidence-based data, which she said plays a crucial role in informing policy decisions.
She said data, which includes statistics, research findings, and other forms of evidence, helps policymakers understand the specific needs of the population, identify potential solutions, and assess the effectiveness of existing programs. “By using data-driven insights, policymakers can make more informed decisions that lead to better health outcomes for citizens”, she said.
