According to the World Health Organization (WHO), Non-Communicable Diseases (NCDs) like cardiovascular diseases, chronic respiratory diseases, diabetes, and cancers are responsible for most deaths worldwide. In 2016, NCDs were responsible for the deaths of 8 out of 10 adults in Saint Lucia.

Most of the major NCDs are as a result of behavioral risk factors such as unhealthy diets (those high in sugars, salt and fats), insufficient physical activity and the harmful use of alcohol and tobacco smoking. In order to target these risk factors effectively, the Government of Saint Lucia through the Department of Health and Wellness is carrying out a survey, World Health Organization (WHO) Stepwise Approach to Surveillance (STEPS Survey). This survey will involve all Saint Lucians aged 18-69 years.

The STEPS Survey involves three steps or stages: STEP 1 – Interview questions; STEP 2 - Measurements of blood pressure, waist, hip, weight and height; STEP 3 – Urine tests for kidney function and blood tests for sugar and cholesterol levels.

Persons will be randomly selected based on their respective enumeration districts. One person per household will be interviewed through random selection by a computerized programme. Randomly selected individuals who have given consent for the survey to be carried out will be required to answer simple questions about age, sex, educational levels, diet, physical activity and other health habits. All answers will be anonymous. Persons’ names will not be included as each individual (respondent) will be given a unique code.

STEPS 1 and 2 will be carried out on the same day, by the fieldworker. Persons will be given results of blood pressure, weight, height and other measurements on the same day. STEP 3 will be carried out by a nurse on a different day at a convenient time, (by appointment) for selected individuals. A small urine sample for laboratory testing (Creatinine and Sodium levels) will be collected by the nurse on the day of STEP 3 and a small sample of blood will be tested for cholesterol levels and glucose. Respondents will be given results of blood testing on the same day.

Implementation of the STEPS Survey started in December 2019 and survey completion was scheduled for March 31, 2020. Unfortunately, survey implementation had to be halted by Monday, March 16, 2020 due to the threat posed by the COVID-19 pandemic.

The Department of Health and Wellness informs the public that the WHO STEPS Behavioural Risk Factor Survey implementation will continue from Monday, August 31, 2020 for a six-week period to facilitate survey completion. The department wishes to further reassure the public that strict measures have been put in place to ensure that respondents and fieldworkers are not at risk of exposure to COVID-19 during survey implementation.

The department wishes to solicit the public’s participation and stresses on the importance of the implementation of this survey especially during the COVID-19 pandemic, as non-communicable diseases (NCDs) have been shown to worsen outcomes in persons who become infected with COVID-19.

Help us to help you! Participate while staying safe.