Investigating the Prevalence of Non-Communicable Diseases and Gender- Specific Risk Factors in Kabul, Afghanistan: A Cross-Sectional Study

• Applicant: Dr. Ahmad Siyar Noormal
• Subject Area: Epidemiology and Medical Biometry/Statistics
• Term: since 2025
• Project identifier: Deutsche Forschungsgemeinschaft (DFG) - Project number 569581738

This research project aims to investigate the prevalence of major non-communicable diseases (NCDs) and their associated risk factors in Kabul, Afghanistan, with a specific focus on gender disparities. Evidence shows that the burden of NCDs—such as cardiovascular disease, diabetes, and chronic respiratory illnesses—is steadily rising in Afghanistan. Moreover, NCD risk factors, including hypertension, hyperglycemia, dyslipidemia, and obesity, are highly prevalent, particularly among women. Following the fall of the government in 2021, the socio-political landscape has exacerbated these challenges. New restrictions imposed on women—including bans on work, education, and access to public spaces—have likely worsened key NCD risk factors. Afghan women, already facing limited access to healthcare, now face additional barriers, increasing their risk of physical inactivity, poor nutrition, and heightened stress, all of which may accelerate the onset of NCDs. This project seeks to examine how these restrictions have intensified NCD risk factors, especially among women in Kabul. Through a cross-sectional survey of both urban and rural populations in the region, the study will gather comprehensive data on behavioral and metabolic risk factors such as smoking, diet, physical inactivity, hypertension, hyperglycemia, and obesity. Additionally, it will explore the specific impact of recent socio-political changes on women's health. By employing advanced statistical methods like Difference-in-Differences analysis, the project will compare current data with pre-2021 findings to identify significant trends. The results will provide crucial insights into the intersection of health and socio-political dynamics in conflict-affected regions, offering valuable recommendations for public health interventions to address the escalating NCD burden in Afghanistan and beyond.

• DFG Programme: WBP Fellowship
• International Connection: Afghanistan
• Hosts: Professor Dr. Ahmad Wali Atayi; Professor Dr. Saniullah Zalmai