2001-12-31-世界卫生组织-2002_STEPS_Country_report_Marshall_Islands_83页_885kb

Summary of NCD Risk Factors STEPS Report in the Marshall Islands

Purpose and Methodology

The survey aimed to assess major non-communicable disease (NCD) risk factors in the Marshallese population aged 15-64 years using the WHO STEPwise approach.

• Sample Size: 3045 participants (40.5% male, 59.5% female).
• Methods: Three steps included: interviewer-administered questionnaire (Step 1), physical measurements (Step 2), and biochemical assays (Step 3).

Key Findings by Risk Factor

Behavioral Risks

• Tobacco: 23.1% smokers (19.8% daily smokers, 3.3% non-daily). Higher among males (34.7%).
• Alcohol: 19.3% current users; 65.7% binge drinkers. Males consumed more drinks than females.
• Diet: 91.0% consumed <5 servings of fruits/vegetables daily. Suet/lard was the most-used cooking fat.
• Physical Inactivity: 66.1% had low activity levels; women were less active than men.

Physical and Biochemical Risks

• Obesity: 62.5% overweight/obese (BMI ≥ 25 kg/m²). Central obesity was higher in females.
• Hypertension: 10.5% prevalence (males = 11.6%, females = 9.3%). Doubled among ages 25-64 years.
• Diabetes: 19.6% prevalence.
• Blood Lipids: 21.6% had elevated cholesterol; 60.8% had low HDL.

Combined Risk Factors

• 60.2% of the population had ≥3 major NCD risks (smoking, poor diet, inactivity, obesity, hypertension).

Conclusions and Recommendations

• High Burden: NCD risk factors are widespread across age, gender, and locality.
• Priority Actions:
  1. Reduce tobacco and alcohol use, especially among youth.
  2. Promote fruit/vegetable consumption and physical activity.
  3. Improve preventive healthcare for hypertension, diabetes, and obesity.
  4. Establish ongoing surveillance (STEPS) to track interventions.

Limitations

• Challenges included low cooperation, late team arrivals, interviewer fatigue, and high dropout rates during Steps 2 and 3.