PT  - JOURNAL ARTICLE
AU  - Hamadeh, Randah R.
TI  - Risk factors of major noncommunicable diseases in Bahrain. The need for a surveillance system
DP  - 2004 Sep 01
TA  - Saudi Medical Journal
PG  - 1147--1152
VI  - 25
IP  - 9
4099  - http://smj.org.sa/content/25/9/1147.short
4100  - http://smj.org.sa/content/25/9/1147.full
SO  - Saudi Med J2004 Sep 01; 25
AB  - 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.