Basseterre, St. Kitts – Nevis
October 02, 2007 (CUOPM)
The Ministry of Health is about to conduct a survey that promises to reveal the truth about the impact of chronic diseases in St. Kitts and Nevis.
Chronic Disease Programme Coordinator Petronella Edwards told SKNIS that while there are existing chronic disease statistics from international organisations, the data is misleading as it represents region-wide statistics, the bulk of which were derived from surveys conducted across the Caribbean.
She said that the statistics do not necessarily reflect the situation locally hence the need for the study.The Ministry of Health will employ a tool currently used by the World Health Organization (WHO) in carrying out the survey. The Steps Tool is so dubbed because there are three steps to the survey process. These include: an interview, body measurement and a bio-chemical measurement.
The targeted age-group is 25-64, the working population of the Federation. This group was targeted because the health of this group has implications for economic development.
STEPS Team Global Supervisor Ms. Leanne Riley and Regional CAREC Representative Dr Glennis Andall-Brereton conducted a four-day training workshop this past week for field workers who will conduct the interviews.
Field workers will approach heads of households during the months of October and November. Residents are encouraged to cooperate with the officers as field workers as they gather the relevant information.
Current statistics state that 60 percent of deaths globally result from non-communicable diseases.