Background: There is limited population based data on the prevalence of
cardiovascular risk factors and non-communicable diseases in Nigeria, and Abia
state in particular. Aims: The purpose of this survey was to determine the
burden of non-communicable diseases as well as associated cardiovascular risk
factors in the state using the World Health Organization steps approach. It is
believed that information obtained will provide the basis for policies, plans and
programs as well as evolve strategies in designing, implementing and evaluation
of appropriate interventions that are geared towards controlling them. Methods:
The house to house survey was conducted in randomly selected communities in
Abia State of Nigeria. Respondents had their biophysical parameters measured:
weight, height, waist circumference, hip circumference, pulse rate blood
pressure and some biochemical parameters. Results: Women constituted
52.1% of the 2999 participants. The mean age of the participants was 41.7±18.5
years. Three hundred and eighty seven respondents had ever smoked cigarette,
373 men (96.4%) and 14 women (3.6%). Many of the respondents (65.5%) were
engaged in work involving sedentary activity. Over eighty percent of the study
populations were aware of cancer. Hypertension was present in 31.8% and
diabetes mellitus in 3.6%. Obesity was present in 13.8% while low high density
lipoprotein-cholesterol was detected in 54.1%. Conclusions: A suggestion is
made for the establishment and strengthening of non-communicable diseases
surveillance systems in the state. Surveillance of non-communicable diseases
and associated risk factors using the World Health Organization stepwise
surveillance for non-communicable diseases should be ongoing in the state and
should be conducted every two years.