The Ministry of Public Health, Chronic Disease Unit in collaboration with The Bureau of Statistics will be conducting a survey on non-communicable diseases (NCDs) from July to October.
According to a Ministry of Public Health press release, the exercise is part of the unit’s efforts to combat NCDs in Guyana. The Listing Process is scheduled to commence today and will conclude on Monday, July 18, 2016.
A total of 3456 households will be randomly chosen to participate. One person between the ages of 18 and 69 years from each household will be asked to participate in the interview which comprises three parts – basic questions pertaining to demographics, habits and lifestyle practices as it relates to the risk factors of NCDs; checking and recording the weight, height and blood pressure of the participant; taking a small blood sample from the participant’s arm to test for blood sugar, cholesterol, and two common blood disorders found in Guyana, sickle cell and thalassemia. The third step involves the participant fasting overnight, the release said
According to the release, the survey is expected to generate statistics which will allow the Ministry of Public Health to closely monitor the population. This will facilitate the development and implementation of appropriate interventions to treat and prevent chronic non-communicable diseases, the release stated. It will also give the Ministry of Public Health a better chance to determine and obtain the right type of medications in sufficient quantities, hence preventing drug shortages in the country, the release said.
In addition, the release stated that the four main non communicable diseases – cardiovascular diseases, diabetes, cancer and chronic respiratory disease – account for 70% of all deaths occurring in Guyana and are the number one cause of premature deaths (before the age of 70 years). These diseases are preventable by the simple modification of four risk factors – harmful tobacco use, unhealthy diet, physical inactivity and harmful use of alcohol, the release advised.
The STEP survey is voluntary and all participants will be notified of their results at the end of the assessment.
For more information, contact Kavita Singh, Coordinator, Chronic Diseases Unit on telephone number 223-7355 or Ian Manifold, Head of Surveys, Bureau of Statistic on 225-9063.
