The National Survey on risk factors of Non-communicable diseases (STEPS) used the standard
protocol of the WHO STEPwise approach to NCD risk factor surveillance focused on the adult
population age 18-69 and addressed 4 objectives: (i) To evaluate the prevalence of risk behaviors
including smoking, alcohol consumption, unhealthy diet and physical inactivity and related
parameters; (ii) To measure mean levels of BMI and blood pressure, prevalence of overweightobesity
and hypertension and related parameters; (iii) To measure the mean levels of blood glucose
and total cholesterol, prevalence of raised blood glucose and cholesterol and related parameters.
The survey employed a cross-sectional design with national representative sample of population age
18-69 year old residing in Viet Nam (using multistage sampling approach with stratified sample by
gender and age). The survey included three stages or STEP: STEP 1 to collect demographic
information/behavior risk factors; STEP 2 to collect physical measurement such as
heigh/weight/blood pressure; STEP 3 to collect blood sample to test for glucose/cholesterol and
collect urine sample. The total subjects aged 18-69 selected and participated in STEPS survey were
3856. Of them, 3758 subjects participated in STEP 1 (response rate: 97.4%) and 3080 subjects
participated in both STEP 1, 2 and 3 (79.8%). Data weighting and analysis was conducted using
Microsoft Excel, Access and Epi-Info version 3.5.4 and Stata version 10.
Major findings of the survey are as follow:
 Overall, 43.8% study population were current drinkers (consuming alcohol in the past 30 days).
The pattern of alcohol consumption by gender showed clear and significant difference between
males 77.3% and females 11.0%; The proportion of population engaging in heavy episodic
drinking (6 or more drinks on any occasion in the past 30 days) were 44.2% among males and
1.2% among females); Almost half (45%) of current drinkers drove after drinking.
 More than half (57.2%) of the study population did not meet the recommendation on
fruit/vegetable consumption by WHO. This proportion was significantly higher in males 63.1%
compared to females 51.4%, and higher in rural 60.0% compared to urban area 51.0%.
 The average population salt intake per day among Vietnamese was 9.4 grams, which was almost
double the recommendation of WHO.
 Nearly one third (28.1%) of the study population not attaining the WHO recommended level of
physical activity (>=150 minutes of moderate intensity physical activity per week or equivalent).
The proportion of physically inactive was significantly less males 20.2% compared to females
35.7%. This proportion is less in rural area 23.2% compared to urban area 37.3%. Work related
activity contributed the largest part (more than 2/3) of daily physical activity, while recreation
and transport related physical activity accounted for a quite small proportion.
 The prevalence of overweight/obesity (BMI>=25) was 15.6%. There was no clear different in
the prevalence of overweight/obesity by gender, however, there was significant higher
prevalence of overweight/obesity among urban adults (21.3%) compared to the rural
counterparts (12.6%).
 The prevalence of hypertension (SBP ≥140 and/or DBP ≥ 90 mmHg or on medication) was
18.9%, and it was significantly higher among males (23.1%) compared to females (14.9%).
 Of the study population, 3.6% had impaired fasting glycaemia and 4.1% had raised blood sugar
or were currently on medication for diabetes. There was no clear difference between males and
females for impaired and raised blood glucose.
 The prevalence of respondents having blood total cholesterol >=5.0 mmol/L or currently on
medication for raised cholesterol was 30.2%. Majority of the study population with 67% of
males and 72% of females has low HDL (defined as men with HDL<1.03mmol/l or women with
HDL<1.29mmol/L).