The Prevalence of the Common Risk Factors of Non-communicable Diseases in Sierra Leone

There is sufficient anecdotal evidence that the prevalence of Non-Communicable diseases (NCDs) such as hypertension, diabetes mellitus, cardiovascular diseases, stroke, and cancer is on the increase in Sierra Leone. These diseases are strongly associated with common lifestyle risk factors such as smoking, alcohol consumption, a diet rich in fats, sugars and salts; and physical inactivity. If these risk factors are not prevented today, we will be faced with a double disease burden tomorrow; as there is already a high burden of communicable diseases in Sierra Leone. A good number of the NCDs can be avoided by adopting policies that discourage smoking and promote healthy eating and physical activity. Therefore there is still a window of opportunity to control these risk factors at the population level if we are to avoid the double disease burden. However, evidence-based NCD policies cannot be formulated if we do not know the prevalence of these risks factors. Thus, the current survey was conducted with the overall objective of determining the prevalence of the major risk factors of NCDs nationwide. It was anticipated that the data generated will be utilized to: (a) formulate evidence-based policies and programs that will promote healthy life style so as to prevent the occurrence of NCDs; (b) inform policy changes within the Ministry of Health and Sanitation so as to guide in allocating resources for the prevention and surveillance of the common risk factors of NCDs; (c) establish and maintain a comprehensive surveillance system on NCDs in Sierra Leone; and (d) establish baseline levels of the risk factors of NCDs in the population and monitor future trends