Health Ministry commences pilot testing of 2nd phase non communicable diseases survey
Muscat: The Ministry of Health began today a pilot field survey for the second phase of the National Non-Communicable Disease Survey, by visiting several targeted households.
Dr. Ahmed Salim Al Mandhari, Undersecretary of the Ministry of Health for Planning and Health Regulation took part in the pilot field test along with Dr. Jean Jabbour, WHO Representative in Oman, and a large number of survey teams.
Earlier this week, the Ministry of Health, in cooperation with the World Health Organization, conducted an intensive training program for the field workers of the national health survey (Phase 2).
The five-day training involved (165) field teams from various governorates of the Sultanate of Oman.
The training aimed to enhance the participants' skills in conducting the survey according to the highest international standards. It included a practical component, where a pilot test is to be conducted on a selected group of households before the actual field survey begins.
The National NCDs Survey aims to collect accurate data on the prevalence of non-communicable diseases and the associated risk factors in the community, contributing to the strengthening of public health strategies and evidence-based decision-making.
The first phase of the national survey began on 29 December 2024, focusing on updating household lists in various governorates of Oman in preparation for selecting the random sample of participating households.
The second phase is scheduled to begin next April and will last for three months, during which field data will be collected from the selected households through health questionnaires and clinical measurements, including height and weight, blood pressure, and blood tests to determine sugar and cholesterol levels.
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