A health and nutrition survey to be introduced across the UAE promises to understand the situation of the population and assess areas where healthy living campaigns are needed.
Approximately 20,000 families and 2,000 workers across the country will be asked to complete a questionnaire to measure knowledge about health and nutrition, while health workers will also conduct blood tests on those who agree to participate. .
Targets include adults aged 18 and older, women aged 15 to 49, pregnant women, and children aged 1 to 17.
Under a multi-pronged approach, health authorities will join analysts from the Dubai Data and Statistics Authority and the Federal Center for Competitiveness and Statistics to evaluate the information collected.
“This project will be an important milestone in estimating our health indicators and seeing how they compare with other countries,” said Dr. Hussein Abdul Rahman Al Rand, Assistant Undersecretary for Public Health at the Ministry of Health and Prevention.
“And all the indicators from this national survey will play a key role in planning and decision-making to develop a UAE-wide strategy.
“This will then be reported to the World Health Organization.”
result
The previous National Health Survey surveyed 9,400 Emiratis and residents over five years to assess patterns of change.
A limited study published in 2019 showed that rates of diabetes, obesity and smoking have decreased, but more adults have high blood pressure, which can be a precursor to cardiovascular disease and heart disease. It also became clear that
The results will allow us to further focus on health education materials and necessary languages in that community.
Mr. Khalid Al Jaraf, Director of Surveillance, Research and Data Analysis Department, Dubai Health Authority
It is hoped that this latest national survey will herald the potential demand for health services in the coming years, allowing authorities to plan accordingly and take preventive measures.
All questionnaires and data collection techniques were approved by international standards and the World Health Organization.
Data collected in health surveys include socio-economic indicators, family health expenditures, noncommunicable disease prevalence and risk factors (STEPS), and biophysical indicators of physiological changes over time. It will be.
household check
Households are asked about their access to and frequency of health care use, as well as their exposure to air pollution and its health effects.
Each researcher will carry an identification card and an officially signed letter from the government agency when visiting a household.
“Today’s economy is driven by what types of foods people eat and the impact that has on their health,” said Mohammed Hassan of the Federal Center for Competitiveness and Statistics.
“With this knowledge, we can take specific policies based on our findings, so it is very important to review the results to determine the right policy.
“For example, based on the results of the previous survey, a tobacco tax and a sugar tax on drinks were introduced.”
Meanwhile, the nutrition survey examines child development indicators such as deficiencies in micronutrients such as zinc and vitamins A and D, dietary intake, stunting, wasting, and obesity in children up to the age of five.
Participants’ urine sodium and iodine levels and salt intake will be tested, while pregnant women will be screened for anemia.
The survey aims to collect reliable on-the-ground information to test the UAE’s health situation and update national statistics and population-food databases.
The survey will be conducted among 40% of UAE nationals and 60% of expatriates in four languages: Arabic, English, Hindi and Urdu.
“We want to ask the question: Why are healthy lifestyles being followed in some communities and not in others?” Dubai Health Authority’s Survey, Research and Data Analysis Unit said Khalid Al Jallaf, Director of.
“The results will allow us to further focus on health education materials and language needs in that community.
“This allows healthcare providers to work diligently on educating people about living healthy lives, helping them plan for a better future.”
Updated: May 21, 2024, 2:00 AM
