Abstract
OBJECTIVE: This study examines the risk factors associated with non-communicable diseases (NCDs), specifically diabetes mellitus (DM) and hypertension (HTN), among adults in Bangladesh, a lower-middle-income country. Given the rising prevalence of DM and HTN and their significant public health burden, this research aims to identify key socioeconomic, demographic and lifestyle-related determinants to inform targeted interventions. DESIGN: The study used nationally representative cross-sectional data extracted from the Bangladesh Demographic and Health Survey conducted in 2017-2018. SETTING: Bangladesh. PARTICIPANTS: The study included 8013 women and 6691 men aged 18 and older who were eligible for blood pressure and blood glucose measurements. PRIMARY OUTCOMES: Type 2 DM, HTN. RESULTS: HTN was significantly associated with higher odds of diabetes (adjusted OR (AOR)=1.28, 95% CI: 1.14 to 1.43), while diabetes was associated with increased odds of HTN (AOR=1.24, 95% CI: 1.11 to 1.39). Individuals aged 40 years and older had 74.8% higher odds of diabetes (AOR=1.748, 95% CI: 1.58 to 1.993) and were 3.21 times more likely to have HTN (AOR=4.208, 95% CI: 3.781 to 4.685). Overweight individuals had 2.15 times higher odds of HTN compared with those with normal weight (AOR=2.154, 95% CI: 1.98 to 2.34). Wealthier individuals also showed significantly higher odds of both DM and HTN. CONCLUSIONS: This study highlights the strong association between DM and HTN and identifies age, overweight status and higher socioeconomic class as key risk factors. These findings underscore the need for integrated public health strategies targeting NCD prevention and management in Bangladesh. Further research should explore longitudinal trends and the impact of targeted interventions on reducing the burden of NCDs.