The PAHO/WHO Stepwise Approach to Chronic Noncommunicable Diseases Risk-Factor Surveillance

The STEPwise approach was designed to provide guidelines and supporting material for countries to record and analyze core data pertaining adult risk factors of chronic diseases. The approach is flexible enough to allow each country to expand on the core variables and risk factors or incorporate additional modules.

PURPOSE

The PanAmerican STEPS approach to chronic disease adult risk factors surveillance was designed to help countries build and strengthen their capacity to conduct surveillance. It provides an entry point for low and middle income countries of our Region to get started on CNCDs surveillance. Similarly,PanAm STEPS serves as a harmonizing tool to collect and display data throughout the Region in a unifying way.

DESIGN

The PanAmerican STEPS Instrument has three levels of steps of risk factor assessment(the interview or questionnaire, physical measurements, and biochemical measurements) which are set in increasing levels of capacity building, respectively. Additionally, these three steps have core data which encompasses the minimum requirements for surveillance. The core data items can be expanded for a more in-depth analysis. Similarly, additional optional modules can be added as needed.