2015-12-31-世界卫生组织-2016_STEPS_Country_Report_Guyana_237页_3mb

Summary of the Pan American STEPS Survey on Noncommunicable Diseases and Risk Factors in Guyana 2016

Core Content

The Pan American STEPS Survey on Noncommunicable Diseases (NCDs) and Risk Factors conducted in Guyana in 2016 is a nationally representative survey that provides critical baseline data on the prevalence of NCDs and their associated risk factors. It was implemented using a three-step methodology involving household questionnaires, physical measurements, and biochemical analysis through blood and urine samples. The survey aimed to assess the burden of NCDs and their risk factors, and to support evidence-based interventions for prevention and control.

Main Objectives

• To estimate the prevalence of NCDs and their risk factors in Guyana.
• To identify vulnerable populations and patterns of risk factor exposure.
• To support the development of targeted public health interventions.

Key Findings

Noncommunicable Diseases Burden

• 68% of all deaths in Guyana in 2016 were attributed to NCDs.
• The main NCDs were cardiovascular disease (34%), cancer (8%), diabetes (8%), and chronic respiratory diseases (3%).
• 31% of adults aged 18–70 years died prematurely due to NCDs, affecting the country's economic productivity and health expenditures.

Tobacco Use and Control

• 15.4% of adults (12.3–18.4) were current tobacco smokers.
• Males were significantly more likely to smoke than females (26.6% vs. 3.3%).
• Daily smokers were more common than occasional smokers (10.8% vs. 4.6%).
• Males aged 45–69 had the highest daily smoking rate (24.6%).
• Manufactured cigarettes were the most commonly smoked type (95.3% of current smokers).
• 29.4% of adults reported seeing cigarette advertisements in stores in the last 30 days.
• 63.5% of current smokers noticed health warnings on cigarette packages and considered quitting.

Alcohol Consumption

• Males were more likely to consume alcohol than females (59.3% vs. 21.4%).
• Heavy episodic drinking was more common among males aged 18–44 (38.4%).
• This pattern is associated with acute health consequences, including violence and injuries.

Diet and Lifestyle

• Only 6.4% of adults met the recommended five daily servings of fruits and vegetables.
• Vegetables were consumed more frequently than fruits (4.8 days vs. 3.3 days).
• 70.9% of adults acknowledged that reducing salt in the diet is important.
• However, less than half (40.2%) read food labels or bought low-sodium alternatives.
• 29.3% of adults did not meet WHO physical activity recommendations.
• Physical inactivity was linked to overweight and obesity.
• 50.3% were overweight, and 23.6% were obese.
• Females were more likely to be overweight than males (61.8% vs. 39.8%).

Health System Response

• 24.1% of adults had not had their blood pressure measured.
• 45.5% of adults with raised blood pressure were unaware of their condition.
• Only 17.1% had controlled their raised blood pressure.
• 11.5% of adults had high blood sugar or were on diabetes medication.
• 50.1% of adults had high cholesterol or were on cholesterol medication.
• Lifestyle advice from healthcare providers was more common among females and those in the 45–69 age group.
• 77% of females had never had cervical cancer screening, mammograms, or breast exams.
• 6.7% of males had never had a prostate exam.

Key Recommendations

• Implement multi-sectoral approaches to address NCDs and their risk factors.
• Strengthen tobacco control policies and enforce health warning regulations.
• Increase awareness and access to alcohol control measures.
• Promote healthy dietary habits through education and policy support.
• Encourage physical activity and reduce sedentary lifestyles.
• Improve screening and early detection programs for NCDs.
• Enhance health system capacity to provide effective treatment and management of NCDs.

Conclusion

The survey highlights the significant burden of NCDs in Guyana and the urgent need for intervention. It underscores the importance of behavioral changes, policy implementation, and health system strengthening to combat the rising epidemic. The findings will serve as a baseline for future surveillance and guidance for evidence-based policy development.

Collaborative Efforts

The survey was conducted in collaboration with:

• Ministry of Public Health, Guyana
• Bureau of Statistics, Guyana
• Caribbean Public Health Agency (CARPHA)
• PAHO/WHO provided technical guidance and support throughout the process.

The use of digital tablets for data collection improved efficiency and accuracy of the survey, enabling real-time data processing and analysis. This marked a significant step towards modernizing health data collection in Guyana.