James Kon
Brunei Darussalam faces a growing mortality rate among the population every year due to non-communicable diseases (NCDs). To combat this, the Health Promotion Centre (HPC), Ministry of Health (MoH) has been conducting surveys to determine the main factors contributing to the increase in NCDs, Universiti Brunei Darussalam’s (UBD) Director of Centre for Advanced Research (CARe) Dr Siti Mazidah binti Haji Mohamad said.
She said this during the signing of a Collaboration Agreement to conduct the 3rd National Health and Nutritional Status Survey (NHANSS) between UBD CARe and the MoH’s HPC at Pengiran Anak Puteri Rashidah Sa’adatul Bolkiah Institute of Health Sciences (PAPRSB IHS) Lecture Theatre 2, UBD yesterday.
“Together with the MoH, CARe is conducting the survey that aims to meet requirements, such as a monitoring tool for the implementation of the actions in the MoH Strategic Plan 2019-2023 and upholding the mission of the HPC of Empowering People Towards A Healthy Life and the ministry’s vision for 2035, Together Towards a Healthy Nation,” she added.
Dr Siti Mazidah said, “New evidence has emerged that many NCDs can be prevented with maternal and child health interventions. Thus, adopting a life course approach before delivery and during childhood and adolescence can prevent NCDs.”
The third NHANSS, she said, “Aims to assess the health and nutritional status and dietary practises of the population of Brunei.
“The main NCDs risk factors covered in this survey include infant and young children feeding, maternal and reproductive health, fruit and vegetables intake, tobacco usage, alcohol consumption and physical activity.
“This survey will also collect data on the population’s salt intake, glucose and cholesterol levels, blood pressure and obesity.”
She revealed that the survey is divided into three phases – Phase 1 Survey proposal, recruitment, and training; Phase 2 Data collection fieldwork for STEPS and MICS, and Phase 3 Data Management and Analysis (for STEPS).
As a nationwide survey, she said, “A sample size of 5,762 households are set for STEPS Component, while 5,531 households are set for MICS Component. At least two trainings have been conducted in the past few months by the World Health Organization (WHO), the MoH and CARe to equip the research team and field workers with the skills to conduct the STEPS fieldwork.”
“The survey employs six research team members from UBD, principal investigators from the HPC and approximately 40 young Bruneians as field workers/research assistants,” she said.
She reassured that CARe is dedicated to conducting impactful empirical research on social issues for the nation and humanity.
The aim is to develop research and data resources that addresses social issues in Brunei, to be a platform for local and international interdisciplinary research collaboration, and to provide professional training to graduate students, university staff and researchers from various sectors.
This collaboration, she said, “Will not only benefit the nation at the macroscale, the MoH, and CARe but also offer a platform for our young people to develop lifelong skills such as research, communication, and administrations skills.”
Signing the agreement on behalf of UBD was Assistant Vice-Chancellor (Research) Associate Professor Dr Abby Tan Chee Hong, witnessed by Dr Siti Mazidah.
Meanwhile, Deputy Permanent Secretary (Professional) at the MoH Dr Ang Swee Hui signed on the dotted line on behalf of MoH and witnessed by HPC Senior Medical Officer and Head Dr Hajah Norhayati binti Haji Md Kassim.
UBD Vice-Chancellor Dr Hazri bin Haji Kifle was the guest of honour.
