Non-communicable diseases and associated factors in Myanmar
The cross-sectional study of 25-74 years old male and female living in Yangon Region aims at determining the prevalence of selected risk factors of NCDs, such as smoking, alcohol consumption, hypertension, low fruit and vegetable intake, physical inactivity, obesity, diabetes and abnormal lipid profiles.

Photo: Aung Soe Htet
About the project
The research is a part of a larger Norad-project “Health and Sustainable Development in Myanmar – Competence Building in Public Health (MY-NORTH)”.
Objectives
In 25-74 year old citizens of Yangon Region, Myanmar;
- To estimate the prevalence of the selected modifiable risk factors of non-communicable diseases such as smoking, alcohol consumption, physical inactivity, fruits and vegetables consumption, hypertension, overweight, obesity, high blood glucose and high blood cholesterol in Yangon Region
- To compare the prevalences of selected NCDs risk factors between urban areas and rural areas of Yangon Region
- To predict the risk of development of Coronary Heart Disease based on the Framingham risk score
- To describe trends in prevalence of NCD risk factors by comparison with a previous survey in 2003/2004
Background
A household-based cross-sectional study design was conducted with multi-stage cluster sampling. The methodology was in accordance with the WHO STEPs wise approach for the surveillance of major NCD risk factors (WHO, 2008). All 3 STEPs were carried out.
- STEP (1) Questionnaire survey was based on socio-demographic characteristics, smoking, alcohol consumption, physical inactivity, fruits and vegetables consumption, history of hypertension and diabetes.
- STEP (2) Physical measurements included blood pressure, body height, weight, waist and hip circumference.
- STEP (3) Laboratory investigation were undertaken for fasting lipid profiles (total cholesterol (TC), triglycerides(TG), high-density lipoprotein (HDL)) and fasting blood glucose from the venous blood sample.
Financing
- Norad
Cooperation
- Ministry of Health, Myanmar
Start - finish
2015 - ?
Publications
- Aung Soe Htet, Bjertness MB, Sherpa LY, et al. Urban-rural differences in the prevalence of non-communicable diseases risk factors among 25-74 years old citizens in Yangon Region, Myanmar: a cross sectional study. BMC Public Health 2016; 16(1): 1225.
- Kjollesdal M, Aung Soe Htet, Stigum H, et al. Consumption of fruits and vegetables and associations with risk factors for non-communicable diseases in the Yangon region of Myanmar: a cross-sectional study. BMJ Open 2016; 6(8): e011649