فهرست نشریات علمی دسترسی آزاد ایران

BACKGROUND: Noncommunicable diseases (NCDs) are the leading causes of mortality worldwide.Environmental factors play an important role in development of risk factors. Hence, the study wasdone to assess the neighborhood environmental factors related to NCDs in urban area.METHODOLOGY: This community‑based cross‑sectional study was carried out among three selectedwards of urban Puducherry. All shops/establishments related to the risk of NCDs within the studyarea were study units. Information regarding tobacco, alcohol, diet, and physical activity‑relatedestablishments was assessed using pretested semi‑structured pro forma. Shops/establishments werelabeled either as “favorable” (prevents the risk of NCDs) or “unfavorable” (increases the risk of NCDs).RESULTS: Among 655 establishments, 372 (56.8%) belonged to favorable and 283 (43.2%)to unfavorable category, respectively. Tobacco‑related establishments amount to 15.1% (95%confidence interval: 12.6–18.1) of the total establishments. Among these tobacco establishments,almost one‑third were selling tobacco to minor and located within 100 m of school. Fruits and vegetablemarkets contributed to 21.8% of the total establishments. About 22% of the establishments werefast‑food outlets. Public health sports facilities were only 6.8% of the total establishments.CONCLUSION: The current study reported almost equal distribution of favorable and unfavorableestablishments. However, among unfavorable establishments, tobacco establishments raisedconcern as one‑third of those were selling tobacco to minors. Healthy diet and physical activity relatedestablishments were also found to be less. Hence, corrective measures are to be implemented whichwill reduce the burden of behavioral risk factors.