A Comprehensive Review of Behavioural Risk Factors Associated with Communicable Diseases

Abstract

Background: The COVID-19 pandemic has highlighted the vulnerability of individuals with modifiable behavioral risk factors, such as smoking, excessive alcohol consumption, obesity, and physical inactivity, to severe health outcomes. These risk factors, prevalent across both high-income and low- and middle-income countries, exacerbate health inequities, impacting the transmission and severity of communicable diseases.

Methods: This review synthesizes existing literature by searching online databases including bioRxiv, medRxiv, ChemRxiv, Google Scholar, and PubMed. It focuses on major communicable diseases, particularly influenza, respiratory infections, and sexually transmitted infections (STIs), analyzing the influence of behavioral risk factors on disease contraction and outcomes.

Results: The review identified significant associations between various behavioral risk factors and communicable diseases. Alcohol use was found to elevate the risk of tuberculosis (TB), HIV, and pneumonia. Similarly, illicit drug use, physical inactivity, and obesity were linked to increased susceptibility and severe outcomes from these diseases. Smoking and secondhand smoke exposure were also correlated with heightened risks of respiratory infections and TB.

Conclusion: Behavioral risk factors play a crucial role in determining the incidence and severity of communicable diseases. Addressing these factors is essential for effective prevention strategies, particularly in marginalized communities. The findings underscore the need for public health interventions targeting these modifiable behaviors to enhance resilience against both current and future infectious disease threats.