The rising burden of Non-Communicable Diseases (NCDs) has emerged as a pressing global health challenge, underscoring the urgent need for evidence-based strategies to prevent and manage these conditions effectively. To address this, a comprehensive cohort study was developed to deliver precise insights into the risk factors associated with major NCDs. This initiative aims to estimate the effect size of these risk factors, providing a robust foundation for understanding their impact on public health.

This cohort study is designed as an observational prospective study, with its baseline data collected through a nationwide survey in 2016, utilizing the STEPwise Approach to NCD Risk Factor Surveillance (STEPs). Adhering to the STROBE criteria, detailed protocols were established to investigate various dimensions of NCD risk factors. The follow-up phase was initiated via telephone calls, enabling researchers to track socio-demographic, behavioral, and metabolic risk factors and their influence on the incidence of or mortality from major NCDs over a three-year period.

The study is poised to yield several key deliverables, including a comprehensive repository of primary and follow-up data, as well as national and subnational reports that estimate the effect size of diverse risk factors. Additionally, a policy brief will outline policy options and recommendations to enhance existing programs and inform the design of new interventions. Participants will also benefit directly, as their health status data will be compiled and shared with them in the form of an electronic health record.

As a national and sub-national representative cohort study of its kind focused on NCD risk factors among adults, this effort marks a significant step forward in health research. Its findings are expected to bolster health planning efforts and pave the way for future studies and initiatives aimed at curbing the NCD epidemic. By providing actionable insights, this study has the potential to shape both policy and practice in meaningful ways.