2010-12-31-世界卫生组织-2011-2012_STEPS_Fact_Sheet_Bahamas_2页_313kb

Bahamas STEPS Survey 2011: Summary

The Bahamas conducted the STEP (Strengthening the Links between Mortality and Causes of Disability, Equity and Policy) survey from June 2011 to March 2012 to assess chronic disease risk factors in adults aged 25-64 years. A stratified multi-stage cluster sample design was used, with 1,654 participants and an overall response rate of 54.1%.

Key Findings:

• Step 1: Socio-demographic and Behavioral Data

  • Tobacco use: 16.7% of adults smoked tobacco currently, with higher rates among males (26.9%) compared to females (6.4%). Daily smoking rates were 10.6%, and the average age starting smoking was 19.4 years. Males also had higher exposure to secondhand smoke at home and in the workplace.
  • Alcohol consumption: 34.4% were lifetime abstainers, with current drinking rates at 40.8%, and 21.2% engaged in heavy episodic drinking.
  • Fruit and vegetable intake: Participants consumed an average of 3.9 days per week for fruits and 4.5 days for vegetables, translating to less than 5 servings per day in 90% of cases.
  • Physical activity: 50% engaged in low activity (<600 MET-minutes/week), while only 31% had high activity (≥3,000 MET-minutes/week). Median daily physical activity was 34.3 minutes.

• Step 2: Physical Measurements

  • Overweight and obesity were prevalent, with 79.6% having a BMI ≥25 kg/m² and 49.2% obese (BMI ≥30 kg/m²). Average waist circumference was 96 cm in males. Blood pressure was elevated in 34.3% of adults, with a higher proportion not on medication.

• Step 3: Biochemical Measurements

  • Elevated fasting blood glucose was found in 23.9% of adults, and total cholesterol was raised in 15.8%. Overall, 52.3%-68.9% of adults had three or more chronic disease risk factors, including tobacco use, inadequate fruit/vegetable intake, low activity, and high blood pressure.

Conclusion: The survey identified high rates of modifiable risk factors for chronic diseases, highlighting the need for interventions. A repeat survey is planned if funding is available.

For details, contact Dr. Delon Brennen.