MoPH will carry out a STEPwise survey across Qatar to determine the prevalence of diabetes

According to a top official, the Ministry of Public Health (MoPH) will carry out a STEPwise survey across the country to determine the prevalence of diabetes in Qatar. 

According to Prof. Abdul-Badi Abou-Samra, who is also the director of the Qatar Metabolic Institute and the co-chair of the Qatar National Diabetes Committee, the survey will include epidemiological samples that represent the entire population of the nation. It will also provide precise information about the prevalence of diabetes in Qatar. 

The STEPwise Survey, which was conducted in 2012, will be crucial. The planning office will work with the Ministry of Public Health to introduce it this year, according to Prof. Abou-Samra.  

According to the 2012 Qatar STEPwise Survey, 16.7% of adult Qatari nationals aged 18 to 64 had diabetes, with one-third of them being ignorant of their condition. 

The STEPwise Survey will serve as a health gauge of Qatari society. Every other estimate of diabetes may not be accurate because it is based on random sampling in Qatar, according to a recent media interview with Prof. Abou-Samra.

According to Prof. Abou-Samra, the STEPwise Survey will be able to determine the precise amount of incidents. 

He added that the poll will contribute to the creation of the upcoming National Diabetic Strategy.  

The National Diabetes Strategy (QNDS) for Qatar is intended to help the country realise its long-term goal of avoiding diabetes and its complications while also enhancing health and quality of life. To avoid diabetes and its complications, the strategic goal is to raise public awareness of the condition, mobilise prevention efforts, and expand access to integrated care.

Qatar's biggest health issue is diabetes. The MoPH and healthcare providers have made a number of actions to address the serious problem that is only getting worse. 

In order to slow down and possibly reverse the progression of diabetes and its complications, healthcare professionals take a number of measures, including identifying at-risk people and undiagnosed pre-diabetics. Prof. Abou-Samra stated, "We hope all the steps we have taken will have an effect on the survey and help reduce the rise in diabetes incidents."  

According to information currently accessible, 42% of pregnant women in the nation have gestational diabetes, and 25% of adults in the country are pre-diabetic. Another significant risk factor for gestational diabetes and pregnancy problems is obesity.  In Qatar, about 3% of adults do not have a diagnosis of diabetes and are unaware that they have it.

Another 45% of Qatar's adult population has a BMI of 30 or higher, which is one of the main causes of diabetes in the country.