Health Information and Research, Ministry of Health, Male, Maldives.
Int J Public Health. 2010 Oct;55(5):489-96. doi: 10.1007/s00038-009-0114-y. Epub 2010 Jan 9.
To identify the major risk factors for non-communicable diseases (NCDs) among the population of the capital city Male.
We undertook a cross-sectional survey among the 25-64-year-age group using a multi-stage sampling method with households as sampling unit. Information on behavioral, physiological, and biochemical risk factors was obtained through standardized methods as recommended by the STEPS survey guideline of the World Health Organization. Age-adjusted prevalence was calculated using the census figures for the year 2000.
Among 2,028 individuals who participated in the survey, complete biochemical data were available for 1,506 subjects. The prevalence of NCD risk factors was high among both men and women in low education group: current smoking (39.9, 9.9%); overweight (BMI ≥ 23 kg/m(2)) (60.8, 65.5%); abdominal obesity (24.2, 54.1%); raised blood pressure (29.7, 32.9%); raised blood glucose (4.3, 4.7%); hypercholesterolemia (53.7, 54.9%).
The significant burden posed by the NCD risk factors along with the gender and socioeconomic differentials point to the need for public health action. The Ministry of Health has already initiated a comprehensive response to this threat. The experience and lessons from this survey will be useful for developing a comprehensive and sustainable surveillance system in the country.
确定马尔代夫首都马累居民的非传染性疾病（NCD）主要危险因素。
我们采用多阶段抽样方法，以家庭为抽样单位，对 25-64 岁年龄组人群进行了横断面调查。通过标准化方法获得行为、生理和生化危险因素信息，方法按照世界卫生组织 STEPS 调查指南推荐。使用 2000 年的人口普查数据计算年龄调整患病率。
在 2028 名参与调查的个体中，有 1506 名个体提供了完整的生化数据。低教育群体中男性和女性的 NCD 危险因素患病率均较高：当前吸烟（39.9%，9.9%）；超重（BMI≥23kg/m²）（60.8%，65.5%）；腹部肥胖（24.2%，54.1%）；血压升高（29.7%，32.9%）；血糖升高（4.3%，4.7%）；高胆固醇血症（53.7%，54.9%）。
NCD 危险因素以及性别和社会经济差异带来的巨大负担表明需要采取公共卫生行动。卫生部已经针对这一威胁发起了全面应对。该调查的经验和教训将有助于在该国建立全面和可持续的监测系统。
