TY - JOUR T1 - Risk factors of major noncommunicable diseases in Bahrain. The need for a surveillance system JF - Saudi Medical Journal JO - Saudi Med J SP - 1147 LP - 1152 VL - 25 IS - 9 AU - Randah R. Hamadeh Y1 - 2004/09/01 UR - http://smj.org.sa/content/25/9/1147.abstract N2 - Noncommunicable diseases NCDs are the major cause of morbidity and mortality in Bahrain. The review examines the prevalence of risk factors of major NCDs from the available literature and determines the impact of the rapid socio economic changes on their burden. It further recommends ways of improving their reporting and monitoring. Smoking, obesity, diabetes, hypertension, hyperlipidemia, physical activity and nutrition are considered. The review points out that data on some of the factors is available but deficient for others. The call for the establishment of an integrated surveillance system using the World Health Organization STEPwise approach is stressed. ER -