By Analou De Vera
The Department of Health (DOH) encouraged the public to participate in its mobile phone survey about non-communicable diseases (NCD).
The health department launched on Wednesday the NCD Mobile Phone Survey project which seeks to understand more about how Filipinos keep themselves healthy.
Health Secretary Francisco Duque III
(AP Photo/Aaron Favila / MANILA BULLETIN)
The DOH said that an individual may receive a text or a link to a website for the NCD survey. The department asked the public "to seriously participate in this survey and give their best and honest replies."
"A significant proportion of Filipino adults continue to be exposed to non-communicable diseases (NCD) risks of tobacco and alcohol use, unhealthy diets, and physical inactivity; making millions of Filipinos vulnerable to developing NCDs in the future. In the Philippines, NCDs are the top killers," the DOH stated citing the World Health Organization-Western Pacific Regional Office.
“It is very important to participate in this DOH-sponsored mobile phone survey as the results of the survey will help the Department of Health measure and come up with its strategies, and develop policies to address the problems,” Health Secretary Francisco Duque III.
The survey includes questions on topics regarding a person’s tobacco and alcohol use, diet, blood pressure, diabetes, and demographics. The questions is made available in Filipino and English language.
The DOH said that the public can answer the survey through SMS or text or via mobile internet, where a link to the website will be sent to subscribers.
"The personal information of the respondents/mobile subscribers will not be disclosed to third parties and non-identifying information will be secured," the DOH stated.
"Further, responses will be voluntary, anonymous and confidential. Consent will be asked from all participants and personal information is removed before data is stored for analysis," it added.