Here is a study on NCDs based on two STEPs surveys in Myanmar.
https://www.dropbox.com/s/05s4veg1ei3tbkd/two%20steps%20studies%20in%20mm.pdf?dl=0
I have a couple of questions.
Why are there no Myanmar authors? Did the people who approve research in Myanmar not see the need for Myanmar people to be involved in research in Myanmar?
Are STEPs surveys sensitive enough to pick up meaningful changes in risk factors for some NCDs worldwide? Is a new tool needed?
Abstract below.
Jamie
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The changing face of risk factors for non-communicable disease in Myanmar: findings from the 2009 and 2014 WHO STEP Surveys
Shekhar Grover1, Dhirendra N. Sinha1, Sanjay Gupta1, Prakash C. Gupta2, Ravi Mehrotra1
1National Institute of Cancer Prevention & Research, Noida, UP, India
2Healis-Sekhsaria Institute for Public Health, Navi Mumbai, India
Address correspondence to Shekhar Grover, E-mail: shekhargrover84@gmail.com
ABSTRACT
Background Myanmar is burdened with the dual problem of communicable and non-communicable diseases (NCD), and is constantly endeavoring to attain its health objectives with limited resources. This study compares the results for the 2009 and 2014 WHO STEPs surveys
(the ‘stepwise’ approach to adult risk factor surveillance) in Myanmar to determine the change in NCD risk factors over time.
Methodology The proportion of individuals with major NCD risk factors such as current tobacco and alcohol consumption, <5 fruit/vegetable servings, physical activity, raised blood pressure (BP) and overweight and obesity from the year 2009 (n = 6414) and year 2014 (n = 8757) WHO STEP surveys were compared for the age group 25–64 and relative changes (RC) calculated. Results Tobacco and alcohol consumption has increased significantly (25 and 49% RC, respectively) over the years. Individuals with low fruit/vegetable consumption (<5 servings) have declined (4.3% RC) and physical activity has increased significantly (46.5% RC). The prevalence of overweight, obese and hypertensive individuals has reduced significantly during this period with a RC reduction of 18, 28 and 20%, respectively. Conclusion Reductions in some NCD risk factors are encouraging but control of tobacco use and alcohol consumption requires more stringent policies in order to prevent NCDs in the future.
