Comparison of non communicable diseases (NCDS) risk factors among Turkish migrants living in germany and adult age group in Turkey

This study aims to identify the status of non-communicable diseases and related risk factors among Turkish immigrants living in Germany and compare them with the non-communicable diseases and risk factors seen in the adult population of Turkey. In this context, the results of the STEPS research conducted in Turkey and Germany were compared. The sample of the study consists of 6,053 individuals representing Turkey and 1,157 individuals representing the Turkish immigrant community living in Germany. The primary data sources used in the study are the STEPS research data set conducted in Turkey in 2017 by the World Health Organization in collaboration with the Turkish Ministry of Health and the STEPS research conducted in 2021 by the Presidency for Turks Abroad and Related Communities on the Turkish immigrant population in Germany. Weighting was applied in both research data sets. The obtained data were analyzed using the SPSS 21 software package. The percentages of alcohol use (31.9%), drug use (13.7%), vigorous/very intense physical activity (30.2%), hypertension (25%), diabetes (55.7%), and physical injury (5.7%) among Turkish-origin participants in Germany are significantly higher than those in the Turkish STEPS study. In the Turkish STEPS study, the percentages of alcohol use (16.4%), drug use (3.0%), vigorous/very intense physical activity (20.0%), hypertension (18.7%), diabetes (47.4%), and physical injury (3.9%) were observed. The percentage of tobacco use (31.5%) was higher among participants in the Turkish STEPS study. This research highlights migration as a social determinant of health and provides a valuable new way to examine the connections between migration and health. Health service providers should understand the cultural backgrounds of migrants and deliver services accordingly to protect migrant health.