Engineer Jalalian, Head of the Group for the Prevention and Control of Non-Communicable Diseases at the Vice-Chancellery for Health, announced the launch of the National Non-Communicable Diseases Risk Factor Surveillance Survey (STEPS 1405), commencing in Aban 1405 (November 2026).

According to WebDA-Zanjan, highlighting the significance of identifying and monitoring NCD risk factors, Engineer Jalalian stated: “The national STEPS survey is part of the World Health Organization’s global framework for tracking non-communicable disease risk factors. Utilizing a standardized approach, it provides reliable, comparable data essential for health planning and evidence-based policymaking.”

He added: “This survey is conducted with the objective of estimating the prevalence of major, modifiable NCD risk factors—including tobacco use, unhealthy diet, physical inactivity, hypertension, overweight and obesity, elevated blood glucose, and dyslipidemia. Furthermore, its findings will enable the evaluation of longitudinal trends and allow comparisons with previous survey cycles.”

Outlining the target population for the initiative, the Head of the NCD Prevention and Control Group noted: “In the STEPS 1405 survey, individuals aged 18 and older residing in urban and rural areas will be evaluated. According to the operational plan, the survey will be implemented across 60 clusters with a total sample size of 600 participants, comprising 420 individuals from urban areas and 180 from rural localities.”

Detailing the execution phases of the survey, Engineer Jalalian explained: “Data collection is structured in three steps. In the first step, questionnaire interviews are conducted digitally via tablets through household visits. The survey questions encompass a broad spectrum of health-related topics, including physical activity, nutrition, tobacco and alcohol consumption, sleep patterns, obesity metrics, history of diabetes, hypertension, cardiovascular and respiratory diseases, oncological conditions, accidents, utilization of healthcare services, health literacy, cognitive impairments, and lifestyle recommendations. In the second step, anthropometric measurements—such as height, weight, waist circumference, neck circumference, wrist circumference, and hip circumference—alongside pulse and blood pressure assessments are performed. In the third step, blood samples are drawn for blood glucose and lipid profile analyses at designated health center laboratories.”

In conclusion, Engineer Jalalian emphasized: “Data derived from the STEPS 1405 survey will provide invaluable empirical evidence to identify health priorities, target preventive interventions, and enhance NCD control programs at both national and provincial levels. The STEPS 1405 survey begins in Aban 1405 (November 2026) and will run for one month. The cooperative engagement of selected households with the field execution teams will play a vital role in acquiring precise, reliable data for community health planning.”