2004-12-31-世界卫生组织-2005_STEPS_Country_report_Saudi_Arabia_English_52页_544kb

Summary of WHO STEPwise Approach to NCD Surveillance in Saudi Arabia 2005

Core Content

The WHO STEPwise Approach to NCD Surveillance (STEPS) was implemented in Saudi Arabia in 2005 to assess the prevalence of non-communicable disease (NCD) risk factors. The study was conducted as a cross-sectional community-based survey covering all 20 health regions of the country. The survey aimed to gather data on key NCD risk factors such as tobacco use, diet, physical activity, medical history, and physical measurements to support the development of evidence-based strategies for NCD prevention and control.

The study focused on individuals aged 15–64 years, with 25–64 years being the main target group for most risk factors. A multistage stratified cluster random sampling method was used to ensure representativeness across age, gender, and health regions. A total of 5000 participants were selected, with 4758 completing the study after data cleaning.

The data collection instrument was based on the STEPS questionnaire (Version 1.4), which was adapted to the local context and translated into Arabic. It included sections on demographic information, tobacco use, diet, physical activity, medical history, and physical measurements. Biochemical tests were also conducted to measure fasting blood sugar, total cholesterol, HDL cholesterol, and triglycerides.

Main Views

• Prevention is key: The study emphasized that early identification and monitoring of NCD risk factors are essential for effective prevention and control, as these diseases are often irreversible and have long latency periods.

• Standardization and comparability: The WHO STEPwise approach was used to ensure that the data collected in Saudi Arabia could be compared with global data, facilitating the development of international strategies for NCDs.

• Comprehensive data collection: The study included both behavioral data (questionnaire) and biological data (laboratory tests), providing a holistic view of NCD risk factors.

• Ethical considerations: The survey was approved by the Center of Biomedical Ethics at KFSH&RC, and the alcohol section was omitted from the questionnaire as per the recommendation.

• High response rate: The study achieved a 97.7% response rate, indicating strong community participation and support.

Key Information

Demographic Information

• Age and sex distribution: The study included both men and women across the age groups 15–64 years.
• Education levels:
  • Men had a higher proportion of those with secondary and high school education compared to women.
  • A significant percentage of both men and women had no formal schooling or less than primary education, especially in older age groups.
• Employment status:
  • Men: A majority were government employees, while a large portion were students.
  • Women: Most were house-makers, followed by government employees and non-government employees.

Tobacco Use

• The study included data on smoking habits, types of tobacco used, and duration of smoking.
• Men had higher rates of smoking and shisha use compared to women.
• Smoking cessation data was also collected, showing how long ex-smokers had stopped smoking.

Diet

• Data was collected on fruit and vegetable consumption, servings per day, and types of oil and fat used.
• Men consumed more fruits and vegetables than women, and vegetable consumption was generally lower across all age groups.

Physical Activity

• Physical activity levels were assessed using the Global Physical Activity Questionnaire (GPAQ) version 2.0.
• The study categorized individuals into physical activity levels and measured time spent in sedentary, moderate, and vigorous activities.
• A significant portion of the population engaged in no physical activity related to work, transport, or recreation.

Medical History

• The study collected data on hypertension and diabetes including diagnosis, treatment, and consultation with traditional healers.
• Hypertension was assessed through blood pressure measurements and medical records.
• Diabetes was assessed using blood sugar measurements and diagnosis by health workers.

Physical and Biochemical Measures

• Anthropometric data such as height, weight, BMI, waist circumference, and hip circumference were collected.
• BMI risk categories were determined for both men and women, with a focus on obesity.
• Biochemical data included fasting blood glucose, total cholesterol, HDL cholesterol, and triglycerides to assess hyperlipidemia and diabetes.

Conclusion

The study provided a comprehensive overview of NCD risk factors in Saudi Arabia, with a focus on behavioral and biological indicators. It highlighted the importance of data collection in developing effective interventions and strategies for NCD prevention. The use of standardized methodologies ensured comparability with international data, which is crucial for global health planning. The findings underscored the need for targeted interventions in areas such as smoking cessation, dietary improvement, and increased physical activity, especially among men and women in the 25–64 age group.