Fiji has launched the third World Health Organization (WHO) STEPwise approach to NCD risk factor surveillance (STEPS), as confirmed by Minister for Health Dr. Atonio Lalabalavu. During a recent parliamentary session, Dr. Lalabalavu announced that this initiative is being supported by the Australian Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade (DFAT) and the Secretariat of the Pacific Community (SPC).
The survey aligns with Fiji’s National Health Strategic Plan and the annual operational plan. For the first time, the Ministry of Health has partnered with the Fiji Bureau of Statistics to conduct the survey, focusing on risk factor behaviors among individuals aged 18 to 69 years.
Dr. Lalabalavu highlighted that Fiji will be introducing several new modules to the global community, including those for cervical cancer, suki and tobacco use, oral health, extended nutrition questions, mental health, and urinalysis as part of this survey.
He mentioned that by the end of the last financial year, the Eastern Division survey was close to completion, having been conducted in areas such as Kadavu, Ovalau, Rotuma, and Lakeba in the Lau group. In the current financial year, a budget of $480,000 has been allocated from the Wellness Division for completing the STEPS survey in the Northern, Western, and Central divisions.
Previous STEPS Surveys were conducted in 2002 and 2011. The 2011 survey revealed that 30 percent of adults smoked tobacco daily, 85 percent consumed fewer than five servings of fruits and/or vegetables daily, and 32 percent were classified as obese, with 70 percent considered overweight or obese.