Libya’s Minister of Health, the Director-General of NCDC and the WHO Representative open the national symposium on the STEPS survey results for Libya. Photo credit: WHO/WHO Libya

7 December 2023, Tripoli, Libya – Survey findings on the prevalence of noncommunicable diseases (NCDs) in Libya have just been released by the Ministry of Health and the National Centre for Disease Control (NCDC) with support from WHO.

STEPS is a standardized WHO survey that aims to gather data on the risk factors that determine the major burden of NCDs in countries. These include tobacco use, unhealthy diet, physical inactivity and air pollution. The results of the Libyan survey were set out at a national symposium in Tripoli, convened under the patronage of His Excellency Mr Ramadan Abu Janah, Libya’s Minister of Health.

The survey gathered data from 6000 households in 2023, with respondents ranging in age from 18 to 69 years. Women and men were represented almost equally (54.4% and 45.6% respectively).

The results reveal that Libya has a very high prevalence of NCDs and associated risk factors. Over 40% of survey respondents, most of whom were aged 18–29 years, identified as smokers. One quarter of respondents reported having hypertension. Many of those surveyed reported very high levels of salt intake, a low intake of fruits and vegetables and high levels of insufficient physical activity.

Dr Ahmed Zouiten, WHO Representative and Head of Mission in Libya, stressed the importance of the survey in enabling evidence-based decision-making. He also pledged WHO’s support to help Libya adapt national plans and policies to prevent and control NCDs and their risk factors. “WHO stands ready to support the Government of Libya to design and implement a comprehensive national strategy to combat NCDs and promote health,” said Dr Zouiten.

H.E. Mr Abu Janah highlighted the technical support provided by WHO in the survey implementation. He also emphasized that the survey data will be invaluable for monitoring NCD risk factors in Libya.

Dr Haider Al-Sayeh, Director-General of NCDC, said: “We now have extensive data on NCDs and their risk factors across the country. This will allow us to set priorities and plan policies and interventions to reduce NCD mortality rates over the next few years.”

Noncommunicable diseases (NCDs) such as heart disease, stroke, cancer, diabetes and chronic lung disease are collectively responsible for 74% of deaths worldwide. More than three quarters of these deaths occur in low- and middle-income countries. To date, over 120 WHO Member States have implemented the WHO STEPwise approach to NCD risk factor surveillance (STEPS).

STEPS is a simple, standardized method for collecting, analysing, and disseminating data on key NCD risk factors in countries. The survey instrument covers key behavioural risk factors: tobacco use, alcohol use, physical inactivity and unhealthy diet. It also covers key biological risk factors: overweight and obesity, raised blood pressure, raised blood glucose and abnormal blood lipids.

By using the same standardized questions and protocols, countries can use STEPS data to not only monitor in-country trends, but also to make cross-country comparisons. The approach encourages the collection of small amounts of useful information on a regular basis.

WHO-trained NCDC staff conduct the STEPS survey through household visits in Obari, southern Libya. Photo credit: WHO/WHO Libya

Media contact:

Yahya Bouzo, Communications Officer, WHO Libya Country Office

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