Ethiopia STEPS survey on Risk Factors for Non-communicable Diseases

As the leading cause of death globally non-communicable diseases (NCDs) particularly cardiovascular diseases (CVDs) diabetes chronic respiratory diseases and cancer were responsible for 38 million (68%) of the World's 56 million deaths in 2012. Non -communicable diseases have been a neglected area in many low–income countries due to the heavy burden of communicable diseases and other competing priorities. To this effect a community based cross sectional study was conducted in accordance to the WHO a step-wise approach to the surveillance of NCD risk factors. The data collection processes included three steps Step 1: A questionnaire was developed to gather demographic and behavioral characteristics of the study population Step 2: Physical measurements were taken to build on the core data in step one and to determine the proportion of the study population with raised blood pressure who are overweight and obese. Step 3: Biochemical measurements were taken to build on the core data in steps one and two. The target population for this survey included all men and women age 15-69 years old who have been living at their place of residence for at least six months.