2010-12-31-世界卫生组织-2010-2011_STEPS_Fact_Sheet_occupied_Palestinian_territory_Gaza_2页_70kb

STEPS Survey Summary: Chronic Disease Risk Factors in Palestine (Gaza Strip)

Overview

The STEPS (Strengthening the Links between Environmental, Social, and Health Policies) survey in Palestine (Gaza Strip) was conducted from October 2010 to March 2011. It aimed to assess chronic disease risk factors among adults aged 15–64 years using a cluster sample design to ensure representative data. A total of 2,563 adults participated in the survey, which included three steps: Step 1 (socio-demographic and behavioural data), Step 2 (physical measurements), and Step 3 (biochemical measurements).

Step 1: Socio-Demographic and Behavioural Information

Tobacco Use

• Percentage who currently smoke tobacco: 13.5% (8.3–18.6) overall, with males being significantly more likely (26.9%) than females (0.2%).
• Percentage who smoke daily: 13.3% (8.3–18.2) overall, with males at 26.6% and females at 0.1%.
• Average age started smoking: 18.5 years (17.9–19.1) for both sexes.
• Percentage of daily smokers using manufactured cigarettes: 81.7% (75.2–88.2) overall.
• Mean number of manufactured cigarettes smoked per day: 13.5 (10.7–16.3) for daily smokers.

Fruit and Vegetable Consumption

• Mean number of days fruit consumed per week: 2.4 (2.0–2.8) overall.
• Mean servings of fruit per day: 0.6 (0.4–0.8) overall.
• Mean number of days vegetables consumed per week: 5.0 (3.4–6.6) overall.
• Mean servings of vegetables per day: 1.3 (0.5–2.2) overall.
• Percentage who ate less than 5 servings of fruits and/or vegetables per day: 95.7% (90.1–100.0) overall.

Physical Activity

• Percentage with low levels of activity (< 600 MET-minutes per week): 48.0% (39.3–56.6) overall.
• Percentage with high levels of activity (≥ 3000 MET-minutes per week): 24.8% (16.8–32.9) overall.
• Median time spent in physical activity per day: 34.3 minutes (8.6–98.6) overall.
• Percentage not engaging in vigorous activity: 82.2% (78.4–86.0) overall.

Step 2: Physical Measurements

Body Mass Index (BMI)

• Mean BMI: 27.6 (27.0–28.1) overall.
• Percentage overweight (BMI ≥ 25 kg/m²): 61.7% (57.3–66.1) overall.
• Percentage obese (BMI ≥ 30 kg/m²): 31.8% (29.9–33.8) overall.
• Males have a lower BMI than females (26.6 vs. 28.6).

Waist Circumference

• Average waist circumference: Males at 90.7 cm (87.9–93.5), Females at 90.6 cm (86.6–94.5).

Blood Pressure

• Mean systolic blood pressure (SBP): 118.6 mmHg (117.4–119.8) overall.
• Mean diastolic blood pressure (DBP): 77.7 mmHg (76.2–79.2) overall.
• Percentage with raised BP (SBP ≥ 140 or DBP ≥ 90 mmHg, or on medication): 44.8% (33.2–56.3) overall.
• Percentage with raised BP not on medication: 19.1% (13.2–25.1) overall.

Step 3: Biochemical Measurements

Fasting Blood Glucose

• Mean fasting blood glucose: 96.5 mg/dl (86.5–106.4) overall.
• Percentage with impaired fasting glycaemia: 5.5% (1.7–9.4) overall.
• Percentage with raised fasting blood glucose (or on medication): 8.4% (2.5–14.3) overall.

Total Blood Cholesterol

• Mean total blood cholesterol: 173.7 mg/dl (163.0–184.5) overall.
• Percentage with raised total cholesterol (≥ 190 mg/dl or on medication): 32.5% (27.7–37.3) overall.

Summary of Combined Risk Factors

The survey identified several chronic disease risk factors:

• Current daily smokers
• Overweight (BMI ≥ 25 kg/m²)
• Less than 5 servings of fruits and vegetables per day
• Raised blood pressure (SBP ≥ 140 or DBP ≥ 90 mmHg, or on medication)
• Low level of physical activity (< 600 MET-minutes per week)

Key Findings

• Percentage with none of the risk factors: 0.2% (0.0–0.5) overall.
• Percentage with three or more risk factors:
  • Aged 15–44 years: 48.1% (38.8–57.4) overall.
  • Aged 45–64 years: 83.7% (78.2–89.3) overall.
  • Overall (15–64 years): 54.6% (46.1–63.1) overall.

Conclusion

The STEPS survey highlights a high prevalence of chronic disease risk factors among adults in the Gaza Strip. Overweight, low physical activity, and poor dietary habits are widespread, with smoking being more common in males. Raised blood pressure and cholesterol levels are also prevalent, indicating a significant burden of non-communicable diseases. The majority of participants have three or more risk factors, underscoring the need for targeted public health interventions to reduce these risks.