Survey of Diabetes, Hypertension and Chronic Disease Risk Factors: Belize

There is some evidence that noncommunicable diseases such as diabetes and hypertension are increasingly becoming major public health concerns in Belize, in particular as reflected in the country's mortality and hospitalization statistics over the past several years. However, there is a lack of adequate information on the prevalence of chronic diseases in Belize and the populations affected. Such information is important for securing and allocating financial resources for the development and implementation of prevention and control programs.

From November 2005 to July 2006, the Ministry of Health of Belize and PAHO 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 noncommunicable diseases, smoking, alcohol consumption, lipid profile, physical activity, fruit, vegetable and oil consumption, and health-seeking behavior.