The prevalence of the components of metabolic syndrome in Malta.

Abstract

Metabolic Syndrome (MS) is a cluster of major risk factors for other chronic diseases such as heart disease. It has been qualified as the primary health problem in today's western world where its prevalence continues to rise while increasing health care costs, disability, absenteeism from work and forgone income. Accurate epidemiological evidence is needed to enable policy makers assess and re-evaluate health services to help control the incidence and prevalence of these risk factors among the Maltese population. This study aimed to explore the more likely 'true' prevalence of diabetes, obesity, high cholesterol, and high blood pressure in Malta; and sought key public health experts' views for future policy and planning to help curb these risk factors. Two separate stages of investigation were conducted. First, data gathered towards the pilot phase of Malta's first ever examination survey by the Department of Health Information and Research were statistically analysed using SPSS ver.19. Secondly, 8 key local experts and practitioners in epidemiology, public health, and health policy and planning were interviewed using one-to-one semi-structured interviews. Participants were identified through snowball sampling. The interviews were analysed using content analysis. Findings from Stage 1 of the study showed that a Health Interview Survey needs to be supplemented by a Health Examination Survey in order to obtain valid information on many chronic diseases. Throughout the 2nd stage the importance of healthy public policies was emphasised. However, it all depends on the national community as a whole to embed disease prevention and control into strategies and policies. Different recommendations; for further public policies, for financial barriers and incentives, for further resources, for individual empowerment, for the provision of care, for education and training of healthcare professionals and for further research were presented towards the end of the study.