Abstract

Non communicable diseases are increasingly becoming important causes of morbidity and mortality in sub-Saharan Africa. However, the dearth of data, especially population-based data on the NCD burden and determinants impedes appropriate public health response. In Malawi, studies done prior to the MEIRU NCD survey showed an increasing burden of NCDs. These studies were either small or hospital based. A more detailed and larger study was still needed in order to better understand and to develop novel interventions to control these conditions.

The purpose of the MEIRU NCD survey was to describe the burden and determinants of hypertension, diabetes and lipid disorders in rural and urban Malawi, to provide a platform for investigation of development of cardio-metabolic disorders and to inform and context specific interventions for treatment and prevention.

The objectives of the survey were as follows: (1) To quantify the true burden of hypertension, diabetes and hyperlipidaemia (2) to measure the prevalence of the known risk factors - notably smoking, obesity, physical inactivity, alcohol, salt and saturated fat intake (3) To measure the association between HIV-infection or its therapy and increased risk of NCDs (4) To measure the uptake of and retention in chronic care among patients identified during the survey with hypertension or diabetes

All adults aged 18 years and above self-defining as usually resident in geographically demarcated rural (Karonga demographic Surveillance Area) and urban (Lilongwe Area 25 residential area) communities were eligible to participate in the survey. First visit to households in the study area was used to provide information and to seek consent to participate in the study. The second visit was by a trained nurse to administer a questionnaire on lifestyle, to take blood pressure and anthropometric measurements. The third visit was for collection of fasting blood sample and to offer HIV screening

Geographic coverage

Karonga HDSS and Lilongwe Area 25 residential area

Analysis unit

Individual

Universe

All adults aged 18 years and above who were usually resident in the Karonga HDSS and in Lilongwe Area 25 at the time of the survey

Kind of data

Sample survey data

Mode of data collection

Face-to-face [f2f]

Research instrument

Non-Communicable Diseases Questionnaire (NCDQ), Blood pressure cohort study(Consent form), Clinical form at follow-up (CFF), Clinical form at baseline (CFB) , Home visit form (HVF), NCD outpatient attendance form (OPF), Retinopathy screening form (RSF), Pedometer Study Form (PSF), Blood Pressure Cohort (BPF),NCD Consent form,Costs of coming to a health care clinic (CAC) form,Clinic Information Sheet, NCD Enumeration Form (NEF), Diabetic foot screening form (DSF)_v1 ,Diabetic foot screening form (DSF)_v2, Karonga_Migrant study form,Lilongwe_Migrant study form and Migrants study Info sheet and consent form - English.