B.V.I. Friday, 28 August – This week the Ministry of Health and Social Development wrapped-up a training programme that will help to finalise the report of the STEPS Risk Factor Survey that began in February.
A three-day training programme for Data Analysis and Report Writing was held as a collaborative undertaking among the Government of the Virgin Islands, Caribbean Epidemiology Centre (CAREC), Pan American Health Organisation (PAHO), and World Health Organisation (WHO).
Topics included Weighing the Data to Make it Representative; An Introduction to Reporting STEPS Data: STEPS Fact Sheet, Fact Sheet Analysis Guide, and STEPS Data Book; and An Introduction to Site Report: Understanding Key Issues in Interpreting Data, Presenting Results, Using Text, Tables, and Graphs.
Health Education Officer Miss Ivy George said seven persons were trained to complete the analysis and finalise the report for STEPS during the August 24-26 training which was held at the Public Service Training Centre. The exercise, she added, was facilitated by regional experts who were led by Manager of the CAREC’s Chronic Disease Unit Dr. Glennis Andall-Brereton.
The Health Education Officer noted that a preliminary fact sheet of STEPS 1 and 2 was produced during the course of this week’s workshop. “We are working toward the analysis for STEP 3, which we hope will be released during the Territory’s observance of the second annual Caribbean Wellness Day on September 12”, Ms. George announced.
Data gathering for the STEP Risk Factor Survey of the risks associated with chronic diseases in the Virgin Islands was conducted between February and June this year. At that time the first three STEPS were completed.
Socio-demographic and behavioural information was collected during STEP 1; physical measurements such as height, weight, and blood pressure levels were collected during STEP 2; and biochemical measurements were collected to assess blood glucose and cholesterol levels in STEP 3.
The STEPS survey in the Virgin Islands was a population-based survey of adults between the ages of 25 and 64. According to the Health Promotion Officer “a stratified random sample design was used to produce representative data for the targeted age group”.
Ms. George said a total of 1,105 adults participated in the STEPS Risk factor Survey, adding that the overall response rate was 67.8 percent. “A repeat survey is planned for 2014 if funds permit,” she added.
The Ministry of Health and Social Development aspires to provide leadership that promotes health, social wellbeing, and a safe environment as positive resources for living and sustainable development of the Virgin Islands.
British Virgin Islands News