PAHO. Survey of Diabetes, Hypertension and Chronic Disease Risk Factors. CAMDI. Guatemala, 2009 CAMDI. Belize, 2009

Diabetes and hypertension are two closely related chronic diseases that have been recognized as significant threats to the health and economic well being of socioeconomically developed countries such as those of North America and Europe.

In November, 2005 through July, 2006, the Ministry of Health (MOH), Belize and the Pan American Health Organization/World Health Organization (PAHO/WHO), implemented a national, cross-sectional, household survey to measure the prevalence of diabetes mellitus and hypertension, and their associated risk factors. A sample size of 2,635 persons 20 years of age and older was determined. A total of 2,439 persons were interviewed, and blood samples were taken and laboratory analysis performed on 1,629. Variables measured were socio-demographics, family history of non-communicable diseases, smoking, alcohol consumption, lipid profile, physical activity, fruit, vegetable and oil consumption, and health seeking behavior...