Dignitaries unveiling the Ghana STEPS Report
The World Health Organisation’s (WHO) Country Officer to Ghana, Mr. Frank John Luke, has revealed that, according to the WHO, Non-Communicable Diseases (NCDs) are responsible for 41 million deaths each year globally, with 85% of these premature deaths occurring in low- and middle-income countries.
Mr. Luke added that, in Ghana, the available data shows that NCDs account for approximately 45% of all deaths, with cardiovascular diseases, cancers, chronic respiratory diseases, and diabetes being the major contributors.
He said this at the launch of Ghana STEPS Report, which took place at the Alisa Hotel.
Key risk factors for NCDs, he said, include unhealthy diets, physical inactivity, tobacco use, and harmful use of alcohol.
“These factors are exacerbated by urbanisation, changing lifestyles, and limited access to healthcare services,” he stated.
He mentioned that, comprehensive strategies addressing these risk factors are crucial for mitigating the NCDs’ burden in Ghana.
“To do this, quality and timely data on trends in NCDs risk factors is essential; thus, the conduct of the first nationwide Risk Factor Survey using the WHO STEPwise approaches and tools to NCDs Surveillance,” he emphasised.
He stated that, the results of the survey will also be key in evaluating Ghana’s 2022-2027 Multisectoral Action Plan for NCDs.
Speaking on behalf of the Minister of Health, the Technical Advisor to the minister, Dr. Darius Osei, said NCDs over the past ten years have become the leading cause of death in almost thirty countries, resulting in 150 million premature deaths among people aged between 30 and 70 years, most living in developing countries.
Consequently, he said the growing burden of NCDs represents a major challenge, not only in developed countries but also developing countries
“The STEPS Survey conducted is to provide baseline data for more effective monitoring and surveillance, as well as tracking national progress and understanding Ghana’s performance towards the achievement of the global targets for NCDs,” he stressed.
“Ghana has committed to implementing the 2013-2030 Global Action Plan for NCDs by taking a cost-effective public health approach to address risk factors such as fiscal measures (tax on tobacco, alcohol, sugar sweetened beverages), schools and community-based health promotions among other critical interventions,” he stated.
Again, Dr. Osei mentioned that, Ghana seeks to advance reforms in social insurance and human capital development as evidence by ongoing policy discourse to better data quality on NCDs and their risk factors which will provide critical information for policy design.
He reiterated their commitment in using the device granted to inform policy and also serve as a strong advocacy tool for public education and to facilitate resource mobilisation at both local and international levels.
Introduction of the WHO STEPS Survey
The WHO STEPS survey methodology is designed to collect standardised data on NCD-related household, behavioural, and metabolic indicators, providing nationally representative estimates for key NCD risk factors.
The survey employs a sequential process, beginning with the collection of demographic and household information, followed by the assessment of lifestyle risk factors through structured interviews.
This is followed by physical measurements and, finally, the collection of blood and urine samples for biochemical analysis.
For the 2023 Ghana STEPS survey, data was collected from both urban and rural areas sampled EAs across all sixteen regions of Ghana: Western, Central, Greater Accra, Volta, Eastern, Western North, Ashanti, Bono, Bono East, Oti, Ahafo, Northern, Savannah, North East, Upper East, and Upper West.
Results
The 2023 Ghana STEPS survey reveals high prevalence of NCD risk factors: 4.8% tobacco use, 22.6% alcohol consumption, 19.6% elevated blood pressure, 5.2% diabetes, and 34.3% overweight/obesity.
By Janet Odei Amponsah