Assessing risk factors for chronic disease--Jordan, 2004

Area of Science:

• Public Health
• Epidemiology
• Chronic Disease Prevention

Background:

• Chronic diseases are the leading cause of mortality in Jordan, with cardiovascular disease and cancer being primary contributors.
• The Jordan Ministry of Health (MOH), with international assistance, established a behavioral risk factor surveillance program in 2002.
• This program aims to monitor risk factors associated with the rising burden of chronic diseases.

Purpose of the Study:

• To summarize the findings of the second Jordanian Behavioral Risk Factor Survey conducted in 2004.
• To assess trends in chronic disease risk factors, including obesity, cancer screening, and seatbelt use.
• To provide data for the development of a national chronic disease prevention and control strategy.

Main Methods:

• The study utilized data from the second Behavioral Risk Factor Survey conducted in Jordan in 2004.
• This survey monitored key behavioral risk factors associated with chronic diseases.
• Data collection involved assessing obesity prevalence, cancer screening rates among women, and seatbelt usage.

Main Results:

• Obesity prevalence in Jordan increased by 52.3% between 2002 and 2004.
• Cancer screening rates among women were found to be low.
• Seatbelt use rates across the population were also low when compared to U.S. benchmarks.

Conclusions:

• There is an urgent need for the development and implementation of a comprehensive national plan to prevent and control chronic diseases in Jordan.
• The findings underscore the importance of ongoing surveillance of behavioral risk factors.
• Interventions targeting obesity, cancer screening, and road safety are crucial for public health improvement in Jordan.