In November 2021, Sint Maarten approved its
National Multisectoral Action Plan for the Prevention and Control of Noncommunicable Diseases (NCD MAP) 2021-2030. This 10-year plan outlines the strategic direction and outcomes for government, foundations, private sector and civil society to address NCDs, their risk factors and social determinants of health. The NCD MAP is executed through two-year NCD Implementation Plans and is supported by PAHO/WHO.
The NCD MAP has four strategic actions areas:
Strategic Action Area1: Strengthen health systems for surveillance, research, monitoring and evaluation on NCD prevalence and risk factors.
- Strategic Action Area 2: Establish governance and coordination mechanisms for multisectoral involvement, decision-making and implementation of the NCD MAP.
- Strategic Action Area 3: Reduce NCD risk factors by creating awareness, promoting healthy lifestyles and addressing determinants of health.
- Strategic Action Area 4: Provide quality, people-centered, integrated and comprehensive services for the effective management of NCDs, including self-management.
A key activity under Strategic Action Area 1 is the execution of the PAHO/WHO STEPS Survey. The STEPS Survey is a national population survey to assess the prevalence of NCDs and their biological and behavioral risk factors.
STEPS Health Survey 2023 - FACTSHEET
What?
With support from the Pan-American Health Organization (PAHO/WHO), the Ministry of Public Health, Social Development and Labor (VSA) is embarking on a national population survey to assess risk factors for Non-Communicable diseases (NCDs), called the STEPS Health Survey. From previous surveys, it is known that as many as a quarter of adults in the country have a long-standing or chronic illness, such as heart disease, diabetes or cancer. The Health STEPS Survey is supported by the Department of Statistics (STAT) and SZV.
Why?
The aim of the STEPS Health Survey is to collect data on behavioral and biological factors that can increase the risk of noncommunicable diseases like hypertension, diabetes, heart attacks and cancer. The results of the survey will help the Department of Public Health to monitor the prevalence, trends and distribution of risk factors for noncommunicable diseases among the population. This will help policy makers, healthcare providers and implementing organizations to improve targeted health promotion and prevention interventions.
How?
A team of 30 interviewers and blood collectors (medical workers) trained by PAHO/WHO will conduct house-to-house interviews among selected adults between the ages of 18 and 69 years.
Interviewers will ask about people’s lifestyle and habits related to nutrition, physical activity, alcohol and tobacco use. People will also be asked about their experience with lifestyle counselling, screening tests and preventive treatment. Height, weight and blood pressure will also be measured. At the end, participants will be offered the option to have a finger prick of blood tested at home to measure their levels of blood sugar and cholesterol, which they can then share with their family doctor.
When and whom?
The household survey will be conducted between July and November 2023. During this period, a total of 3,500 randomly selected households across all districts of Sint Maarten will be visited and invited to participate.