Non-communicable chronic diseases (NCDs) constitute a group of pathologies that demand continuous and daily treatment, significantly influencing the lives of affected patients (Marques et al., 2022). In Brazil, numerous individuals are affected by various NCDs, including cardiovascular diseases, metabolic disorders, autoimmune conditions, and other psychological disorders (Figueiredo et al., 2021). Due to their prolonged and critical nature, these conditions exhibit high mortality rates and are the primary cause of death worldwide, responsible for 70% of cases, equivalent to approximately 38 million people annually. In light of this scenario, conducting studies and implementing interventions becomes imperative to confront this challenge (Malta et al., 2018). Chronic diseases are characterized by the absence of a cure, making it essential to elucidate the risk factors associated with these pathologies, focusing on those that can be modified (Moura et al., 2011). Among the most relevant modifiable risk factors, lifestyle habits play a significant role, including physical inactivity, continuous alcohol consumption, smoking, irregular eating habits, and poor sleep quality (Lemos et al., 2022; Perli et al., 2023; Ryal et al., 2023). On the other hand, non-modifiable risk factors primarily include age, genetic factors, and sex (Morais et al., 2018). Understanding the classical patterns of manifestation and the risks and possible associated risk factors for each chronic disease is a crucial and necessary step for subsequent control, treatment, and prognosis of these conditions (Malta et al., 2017).

In chronic diseases, the bond between patients and the Brazilian Unified National Health System (BUNHS) becomes an essential and necessary tool for continuous disease monitoring, aiming at secondary, tertiary, and quaternary health interventions (Malta et al., 2017). This approach aims to prevent potential disease complications and facilitate the patient's reintegration into society (Malta, Silva et al., 2020). Such monitoring is even more crucial due to chronic diseases' prolonged nature and care demand, making regular consultations and examinations for affected patients even more indispensable than for healthy individuals (Malta et al., 2017). The Basic Health System (BHU) is the main gateway to the BUNHS and, consequently, is where users establish their primary connection with the system. At this level, patients are warmly welcomed and receive regular care from the same healthcare professional who follows up and manages their illness. Additionally, there are regular visits from Community Health Agents (CHA) to patients' homes and the support of the entire nursing team and other professionals, including dentists, nutritionists, psychologists, pharmacists, and social workers. This environment becomes a secure and comfortable space for patients undergoing treatment and for the general population in the region, as attending the BHU allows for disease screenings and regular visits by ACSCHA to residents' homes (Méllo et al., 2021).

The coronavirus disease (COVID-19) pandemic, which began in Brazil in 2020, significantly impacted the bond between patients with NCDs and primary healthcare (Malta et al., 2020). Since then, the entire healthcare landscape in the country has been altered. The pandemic brought an unprecedented situation to public health, requiring changes in how emergency care and BHU dealt with suspected or affected COVID-19 patients (Adorno, 2020). COVID-19 is a viral disease caused by the novel coronavirus and is primarily transmitted through contact with infected individuals, especially in the upper respiratory tract (Perli et al., 2023). From a pathophysiological standpoint, COVID-19 is highly contagious, and despite the availability of effective vaccines to control cases, it still lacks a fully effective treatment that sustains its lethal potential, particularly for at-risk groups, including older people, pregnant women, individuals with comorbidities (including non-communicable chronic diseases), respiratory conditions, obesity, and sedentary lifestyles (Lana et al., 2021; Lemos et al., 2022; Sordi et al., 2023; Silva-Lalucci et al., 2024).

Due to the COVID-19 pandemic, patients with pre-existing NCDs have increased their social isolation and avoided staying in high-contamination areas, such as Basic Health Systems (BHUS) (Jiménez-Pavón et al., 2020). The overcrowding of healthcare systems has led to a high concentration of infected individuals in waiting rooms and corridors, making BHUs potential sites for contamination due to unavoidable crowding, discouraging patients with NCDs from seeking care. This situation has raised concerns about adequate access to healthcare for individuals with chronic diseases, necessitating careful measures to ensure their safety during the pandemic (Mesenburg et al., 2021). The objective of this study was to characterize the bond between patients and the BUNHS in the municipality of Maringa, Parana, Brazil, to understand the population's perception regarding the development of chronic diseases, and to investigate factors that may be associated with the occurrence of Non-Communicable Chronic Diseases (NCDs) during the pandemic.

The study is a cross-sectional and observational research conducted through an online survey with patients treated in the metropolitan region of Maringa, Parana, Brazil, from September 2021 to May 2022. Patients were invited through local information available at BHU, electronic media, and social networks. All participants who agreed to participate in the research provided informed consent through the Informed Consent Form (ICF) and received participation instructions. Patients were interviewed, responding to the survey in their primary areas of interest. This study was approved by the Ethics Committee of Unicesumar (Approval number: 4.546.726).

The following inclusion criteria were adopted to select the target population: Inclusion criteria:

• Individuals over 18 years of age;

• Users of the BUNHS;

• Men and women;

• Patients with or without NCDs;

• The population resides in the metropolitan region of Maringa, Parana, Brazil.

Exclusion criteria:

• Non-users of the BUNHS;

• Individuals with private health insurance plans;

• Individuals unable to individually respond to the survey;

• Population attended in other regions.

A custom questionnaire was used, consisting of sections: identification, self-reported anthropometric data, sociodemographic condition, daily medication use, lifestyle habits, chronic disease diagnosis, self-perception of health, family history of chronic diseases, changes in health patterns during the BUNHS, frequency of consultations before and during the pandemic, knowledge about COVID-19, and psychosocial impact of the pandemic.

Identification and anthropometric data:

Patients provided information such as name, date of birth, marital status, weight, and height. For anthropometric data, participants were instructed on how to self-measure the requested metrics due to social isolation.

Sociodemographic condition:

Patients provided information such as their current profession and weekly working hours. These collected data are of utmost importance to understanding the patient's dependency on the BUNHS and their knowledge about their health.

Daily medication use:

Patients reported continuous and sporadic medication use. These collected data provide valuable information about the treatments adopted for diagnosed diseases, undisclosed diagnoses, and potential misuse of medications that may become risk factors for developing diseases.

Lifestyle habits:

Reported information regarding smoking, social or chronic alcohol consumption, physical activity, dietary habits, illicit drug use, and screen time. These collected data are essential for identifying the presence or absence of risk factors for chronic diseases and understanding the need for screening, prevention, and treatment.

Diagnosis of chronic diseases:

Information about pre-existing diagnoses of chronic diseases (such as hypertension, diabetes, dyslipidemia, insulin resistance, psychiatric disorders, and obesity), the degree of involvement, possible treatments, and follow-up.

Perception of own health:

Knowledge about one's health is based on information about symptoms and signs of anxiety, increased systolic pressure, elevated blood glucose, and changes in sleep quality.

Family history of chronic diseases:

Reported information about family history of chronic diseases is necessary for identifying the genetic patterns involved in the health of the surveyed patients.

Health changes during the pandemic:

Diagnosed information on changes in systolic pressure, blood glucose, cholesterol, signs of anxiety and depression, and sleep quality during the COVID-19 pandemic. These collected data contribute to negative prognostic factors for the onset of NCDs during the COVID-19 pandemic.

Knowledge about the Public Health System:

Knowledge about the services offered in the Public Health System, such as operating hours and locations, appointment scheduling, specialties, exams, and extra services outside the Basic Health Unit (such as the Family Health Support Center, the popular pharmacy, and the free medications offered), and vaccination application and schedule.

Relationship with the BUNHS:

Information about the frequency of using the BUNHS before and during the COVID-19 pandemic, types of care, emergency services, and personal relationships with CHA, nurses, and other healthcare providers.

Knowledge about COVID-19:

Knowledge about the pattern of infection, signs and symptoms, testing, mode of transmission and prevention, treatments, positive testing, and follow-up, considering the need for hospitalization and the presentation of symptomatology as mild, moderate, and severe, as classified by the World Health Organization (WHO). Additional information on infection in close relatives.

Psychosocial impact of the pandemic:

Symptoms of behavioral changes attributed (traits of anxiety and depression) to isolation, infection, confirmed deaths, lack of treatment, and vaccination.

In Table 1, based on a descriptive analysis of the study participants, the average BMI (Body Mass Index) was 25.3 kg/m², classified as overweight in this population. Additionally, a high percentage of participants reported alcohol consumption, with 137 individuals (63.4%) stating they consume alcoholic beverages weekly. On the other hand, smoking was not a significant factor in the research, as only 8 out of 221 participants (3.7%) reported being smokers. Regarding the division of educational attainment, approximately 87 individuals (39.4%) have completed high school, and 122 individuals (55.2%) have completed higher education. Regarding self-assessment of nutritional status, the majority (146 individuals) consider themselves healthy, while only 9 participants consider themselves poor. Only 46 individuals (21.2%) engage in physical exercise 5 times or more per week. On the other hand, 48 individuals (22.4%) reported not engaging in any physical activity during the week. When asked about hereditary chronic diseases, 136 participants (62.9%) stated that there are cases of chronic diseases in their family, regardless of the specific condition.

Table 1: Table 1: Descriptive data on nutritional status, education level, and lifestyle habits.

Variables	Mean ± SD	Absolute and relative frequency
Weight (kg)	71.3 ± 16.7
Height (m)	1.67 ± 0.08
Body mass index (kg/m²)	25.3 ± 4.9
Declared alcohol consumption	Yes	No
	137 (63.4%)	79 (36.6%)
Reported tobacco consumption	8 (3.7%)	208 (96.3%)
Hereditary diseases reported at the family level	136 (62.9%)	80 (37.1%)
Nutritional status	Normal weight	Overweight	Obesity
	121 (56.0%)	62 (28.7%)	33 (15.3%)
Education	Basic education	High school	University education
	7 (3.2%)	87 (39.4%)	122 (55.2%)
Nutritional self-perception	Healthy	Compromised health	Unhealthy
	146 (67.6%)	61 (28.2%)	9 (4.2%)
Frequency of physical activity	≤ 2x weeks	3-4x weeks	5 ≤ x weeks	Sedentary
	56 (25.9%)	66 (30.5%)	46 (21.2%)	48 (22.4%)

A relevant fact described in Table 2 shows self-awareness regarding the most prevalent chronic diseases: hypertension, diabetes, and mental health diseases, such as anxiety symptoms, hypertension, and diabetes. The best performance was observed in the knowledge about diabetes; 165 individuals (76.4%) reported recognizing and understanding a diabetes condition. On the other hand, despite being one of the most mentioned diseases regarding family history, hypertension was the least understood and recognized by 146 participants (63.7%). Anxiety symptoms were reported in 71.3% of participants, a factor highly elevated in this study.

Table 2: Table 2: Data on participants' self-knowledge about anxiety symptoms, hypertension, and diabetes.

Self-reported symptoms	Yes	No	Maybe
Anxiety symptoms	154 (71.3%)	16 (7.4%)	46 (21.3%)
Hypertension	70 (32.4%)	146 (67.6%)	0
Diabetes	165 (76.4%)	51 (23.6%)	0

In the face of the changes caused by COVID-19, participants were asked about changes in their clinical condition during the pandemic, as shown in Table 3. Most participants reported feeling more anxious than habitual (61.1%) and experienced weight changes (50.9%). However, alterations in blood pressure were not a predominant factor among the study participants, as only 36 (16.6%) experienced this variation. When asked about changes in blood glucose and cholesterol levels, alarmingly high percentages of participants lacked the knowledge to respond, with 47.7% and 36.7% of participants, respectively. On the other hand, the most significant variant of changes caused by the pandemic was sleep quality, which was reported to be worse in 142 individuals (65.7%).

Table 3: Table 3: Data on the clinical condition of the participants during the period of the COVID-19 pandemic.

Clinical condition	Yes	No	I do not know how to inform
Felt more anxious than habitual	132 (61.1%)	84 (38.9%)	0
Weight gain	110 (50.9%)	106 (49.1%)	0
Pressure Alterations	36 (16.6%)	116 (53.7%)	64 (29.7%)
Glycemia Alterations	24 (11.1%)	89 (41.2%)	103 (47.7%)
Cholesterol Alterations	33 (15.2%)	104 (48.1%)	79 (36.7%)
Worse sleep quality	142 (65.7%)	74 (34.3%)	0

Table 4 shows the link between BHU knowledge about the services provided and seeking BHU assistance. It can be observed that more than 25% (n=55; X² = 9.7; p= 0.002) of individuals who experienced weight gain during the pandemic did not seek BHU assistance. Furthermore, data on misinformation regarding changes in blood glucose levels show that 67 individuals (31%) could not provide information about the services offered by the BHU (X² = 8.27; p= 0.016). Similarly, over 24% (n=53; X² = 8.74; p= 0.013) of the population unaware of changes in blood glucose levels during the pandemic do not seek assistance at the BHU. The same can be observed for individuals unaware of changes in cholesterol levels during the pandemic and lacking knowledge about the services offered by the BHU (n=52; X² = 6.42; p= 0.04).

Table 4: Table 4: Relationship between changes in the clinical picture during the pandemic and knowledge and demand for Basic Health Units.

	Know the services offered by BHU				BHU search
Questions	Yes	No	X²	p-value	Yes	No	X²	p-value
Weight gain					55 (25.5%)	55 (25.5%)	9.70*	0.002*
Do not know how to inform alteration glycemia	36 (16.7%)	67 (31%)	8.27*	0.016*	50 (23.1%)	53 (24.3%)	8.74*	0.013*
Do not know how to inform alteration of cholesterol	27 (12.5%)	52 (24.1%)	6.42*	0.04*

Based on the results found, we can observe in Table 5 that individuals classified as overweight and obese based on BMI have a 66% (OR=1.66; p= 0.011) higher chance of developing NCDs when compared to individuals with normal weight. Regarding sleep quality, individuals with any NCD have nearly twice the chance of developing sleep disorders (OR=1.99; p= 0.019). On the other hand, altered blood pressure and glucose levels were more present in patients with established NCDs (32/20.5% and 21/18.4%. respectively). However, it can be observed that individuals without NCDs who also did not develop changes in blood pressure and glucose levels are more prevalent (OR=0.36; p= 0.037).

Table 5: Table 5: Chi-square analysis with an odds ratio for developing Non-Cronical Diseases.

Variables analyzed	N (%) have NCDs	N (%) no have NCDs	X2	OR	p-value
BMI (> 25 kg/m²)	74 (33.5%)	24 (10.9%)	6.39	1.66	0.011*
COVID-19	80 (36.2%)	31 (14%)	3.09	1.40	0.079
Weight alterations	70 (31.7%)	36 (16.3%)	0.02	0.973	0.885
Anxiety traits	52 (23.5%)	34 (15.4%)	2.31	0.749	0.128
Sleep disorder	103 (46.6%)	40 (18.1%)	5.52	1.99	0.019*
Alterations in blood pressure	31 (20.5%)	5 (3.2%)	6.36	0.38	0.012*
Alterations in glicemia	21 (18.4%)	3 (2.6%)	4.36	0.36	0.037*

The study's objective was to characterize the bond of patients with the BUNHS in the municipality of Maringa-Parana and to identify factors that may be associated with NCDs during the pandemic. As a part of this, the patients were divided according to classifications based on BMI, education level, physical activity, self-assessment of nutrition, reported lifestyle habits, and presence of hereditary chronic diseases for risk factor analysis for the development of NCDs during the pandemic. Regarding BMI, the participants were classified as overweight, with an average of 25.3 kg/m². Overweight and obesity are multifactorial conditions that increase morbidity and mortality in patients of all age groups, aggravating factors in the onset and unfavorable prognosis of chronic diseases (Thomas-Eapen., 2021; Silva-Lalucci et al., 2024). Regarding lifestyle habits, it is known that smoking and alcohol consumption are two risk factors intrinsically related to the development of chronic diseases and numerous other pathologies. and they are on the rise among users in Brazil (Dantas et al., 2018). In the present research, participants reported high weekly alcohol consumption, with a total incidence of 63.4%. On the other hand, smoking was not a considerably concerning factor in the population surveyed, with an incidence of only 3.7%.

The data reported by the participants regarding their nutritional self-perception shows that most of them consider themselves to have a healthy diet (66%), consuming a variety of foods and having complete meals while avoiding processed foods with high fat and sugar content. As for physical activity, the data were varied, with some of the population stating that they engage in physical activity five times or more per week (21.2%), while the rest report a low frequency of physical activity or even never engaging in it (22.4%). Both parameters are significant prognostic risk factors for NCDs (Gualano & Tinucci, 2011; Sordi et al., 2023). Moreover, they explain the high incidence of overweight in this population, which most do not engage in sufficient physical activity. Interestingly, more than half of the participants have completed higher education (55.2%), suggesting a population with more knowledge about NCDs, their manifestations, and treatments (Ribeiro et al., 2018). However, when questioned about their knowledge of the most prevalent NCDs (hypertension and diabetes), the patients demonstrated a deficit regarding hypertension, with 63.7% stating that they do not know its clinical presentation. Additionally. over 29% of the population would not know how to recognize a case of anxiety if they came across one. Knowledge was advantageous only in the case of diabetes, with 76.4% of patients claiming to recognize the metabolic disorder's clinical presentation.

Indeed, the lack of knowledge about chronic diseases has become a significant public health problem, especially when discussing conditions with high prevalence and mortality in the country. Not being familiar with such pathologies hinders public health efforts and disease prevention. Without the proper knowledge, individuals are unaware of the mechanisms of disease onset and ways to avoid them, leading to a deficit in early screening and treatment, ultimately negatively impacting disease rates (Mesenburg et al., 2021). This information becomes even more concerning when 62.9% of the study participants report having a hereditary pattern of NCDs in their family, exponentially increasing their chances of developing diseases they are not familiar. Addressing this knowledge gap through health education and awareness campaigns becomes crucial for improving health outcomes and preventing the burden of chronic diseases in the population. The pandemic was a wholly unexpected and unknown event that became the cause of changes in the entire population's daily lives and altered countless health parameters (Almeida et al., 2020; Perli et al., 2023; Ryal et al., 2023). Most participants (61.1%) reported anxious and depressive symptoms, such as distress, sudden sadness, a lack of hope in the face of the situation. and an exacerbated desire to cry. Alongside these psychological symptoms, most participants (65.7%) also reported sleep disturbances that emerged during the pandemic. The research data showed that individuals with chronic diseases were twice as likely (Table 5) to develop sleep disorders compared to those without NCDs, indicating a significant risk factor.

Furthermore, 50.9% of the participants reported weight gain during the pandemic, which the overweight BMI may explain found in this population and the small percentage that engages in regular physical activity as recommended. Among all these patients who reported weight gain during the pandemic, over 25% stated they had no connection, lacked knowledge of the services offered, and did not seek care at the BHU or when feeling unwell (Table 4). Despite experiencing changes in health patterns, they did not seek medical attention for appropriate care. Therefore, there is a clear relationship between the lack of knowledge about the services offered at the BHU and the absence of a connection and seeking care during the pandemic, negatively impacting the staging and screening of chronic diseases, exacerbating the prevalence of these pathologies (Westphal-Nardo et al., 2023). The lack of knowledge was also alarming in the questioning about changes in blood glucose and cholesterol levels during the pandemic, as 47.7% and 36.7% of the population could not inform whether they experienced variations in these parameters during the pandemic (D 4); this condition can lead to neglecting the control of chronic diseases during the period that encompasses the COVID-19 crisis (Malta et al., 2018).

As biases that could not be addressed in the study, one can mention the lack of a more detailed exploration of the various clinical changes that may have occurred during the pandemic, leaving gaps to be filled in a future study. Based on the findings, it is necessary to propose interventions starting from the educational foundation regarding NCDs by raising awareness and disseminating knowledge about these conditions, including their investigation, risk factors, treatment, and prognoses. Additionally, finding ways to establish users' connection with BHU is essential, such as through frequent visits by CHA, neighborhood groups, regular conversations, and phone calls to confirm appointments and visits. Finally, measures must be taken to control the consequences of the COVID-19 pandemic, intervening in the population with risk factors for NCD development to prevent future increases in NCD rates due to the effects of the quarantine.

Based on all the data found and discussed in this study, it is evident that the population lacks knowledge about NCDs, recognizing the characteristic clinical signs of these diseases, and identifying if they are affected. Despite this lack of knowledge, the population showed anthropometric changes worsened sleep quality and aggravated psychological factors, such as anxiety symptoms during the pandemic. These changes represent risk factors for the development of all these chronic conditions. The results indicate the need to invest in education and awareness programs about NCDs to reduce these risks and improve public health amid challenges like the pandemic. Furthermore, the lack of knowledge also reflects the difficulty of identifying all the services offered by the BHU, resulting in a reduced bond with the BUNHS and a decrease in seeking healthcare during the pandemic. These factors contribute to deficits in screening and early diagnosis of pathologies responsible for being the leading cause of death worldwide, worsening national morbidity and mortality rates, and causing excessive public expenditures. Given this situation, the importance of intensifying health education efforts and access to information for the population becomes evident. Promoting awareness about the services available in the BHU and the importance of regular health monitoring, especially during pandemic periods, is crucial to prevent the worsening of chronic diseases and their impact on public health.