NCD Screening and Health Education Program

Non-communicable diseases (NCDs) such as Hypertension, Diabetes Mellitus, Cardiovascular Diseases, Anemia and cancers contribute significantly to morbidity and mortality in India, making community-level interventions essential.

Department of Community Medicine, Faculty of Medical Sciences, KBN University organized a comprehensive Non-Communicable Disease (NCD) screening and health education program in Harsur village under the Family Adoption Program on 14^th and 28^th March 2026; 10:00am to 01:00pm with the aim of early detection and prevention of common lifestyle diseases. In line with the National Programme for Prevention and Control of Non-Communicable Diseases (NP-NCD), this field activity focused on screening individuals and promoting awareness regarding healthy lifestyle practices.

The program targeted adults aged 30 years and above residing in Harsur village. A community-based cross-sectional approach was adopted, involving house-to-house visits to identify eligible individuals. The team consisted of MBBS Phase I students, Interns, ASHA workers, Anganwadi workers, and MSWs under faculty supervision. During the survey individuals were assessed for various NCD risk factors such as tobacco use, alcohol consumption, unhealthy diet, and physical inactivity.

Screening activities included measurement of blood pressure, random blood sugar levels, height, & weight and anemia screening. More than 400 village residents were screened. Individuals were classified based on their screening results, and both previously diagnosed and newly detected cases of hypertension and diabetes were identified.

In addition to screening, health education formed a major component of the program. Awareness was created through individual counseling and group discussions. The topics covered included the importance of a balanced diet with reduced salt and sugar intake, regular physical activity, avoidance of tobacco and alcohol, early warning signs of NCDs, and the need for periodic health check-ups. Efforts were made to encourage behavior change and improve health-seeking practices among the villagers.

Individuals who were found to have abnormal findings during screening were referred to KBN Teaching & General Hospital for further evaluation and management. Advice regarding follow-up and treatment adherence was also provided. The program helped in identifying several undiagnosed cases and increased awareness about the importance of early diagnosis and prevention.

In conclusion, the NCD screening and health education program in Harsur village was effective in early detection of diseases and improving awareness regarding lifestyle modifications. Such initiatives under the Family Adoption Program play a crucial role in reducing the burden of non-communicable diseases at the grassroots level and contribute significantly to community health improvement.