Progress Of The Check Your Health Community Health Screening Programme

08 Jan 2001

INTRODUCTION

The "Check Your Health" community health screening programme was launched on 9 Jul 2000. It is a screening programme for diabetes, hypertension and high blood cholesterol in people aged 55 years and above. These three conditions can lead to heart disease and stroke, the most important causes of ill health and death in Singapore.

The programme was piloted in 19 divisions (Annex 1) and a total of 12,499 participants have been screened as at October 2000. Six divisions Ayer Rajah, Buona Vista, Kampong Chai Chee, Punggol South, Teck Ghee and Whampoa have completed the screening. 5619 persons from these 6 divisions have been screened. The estimated target population of those aged 55 years and above in these 6 divisions is 36,200, making the average participation rate 16% (range 10% to 21%).

SCREENING RESULTS - JULY TO OCTOBER 2000

Profile of Participants

70% of the participants were between 55 and 69 years old. More females (58%) than males (42%) attended the screening. About 60% had not attended any health screening before.

Screening Results

About 60% of the participants had no past medical history but were found to have abnormal results when screened at the "Check Your Health" programme. 19% of the participants had past medical history of hypertension, diabetes or high blood cholesterol, but their existing conditions were not controlled. 22% of the participants either had no abnormal results or had existing conditions, which were controlled.

9,934 participants were advised to visit a doctor to confirm their conditions and for treatment. However, only 15.4% (1530) attended a doctor for follow-up.

Analysis of New Cases

Among the new cases detected with abnormal results, 68% had abnormal results for blood cholesterol, 51% for blood pressure and 16% for blood sugar. Between the different ethnic groups, more Malays were found to have abnormal blood glucose levels (14%), compared with Indians (10%) and Chinese (9%). More Malays were also found to have abnormal blood cholesterol levels (50%), compared with Chinese (39%) and Indians (33%). However, there was no significant difference in the prevalence of abnormal blood pressure levels among the different ethnic groups.

SECOND PHASE

The pilot phase will end in March 2001. The second phase will begin in April 2001 in 32 divisions. (Please see Annex 2). During the second phase, the minimum age of eligible participants will be lowered to 50 years from the current 55 years.

PAP Community Foundation, Touch Community Services, Thye Hua Kwan Moral Society, Chee Hoon Kong Moral Promotion Society and Thong Kheng Charitable Institution, which supported the programme in the pilot phase, will continue to do so in the second phase. In addition, two new voluntary welfare organisations, namely Sathya Sai Social Services and SASCO Limited, will be lending their support in the second phase.

BENEFITS OF PARTICIPATION

Knowing one's health status is the first step to being responsible for one's health. When diabetes, hypertension and high blood cholesterol level are detected early, they can be treated to prevent severe disabilities and therefore avoid the high social and medical costs associated with them.

This pilot programme has surfaced two major issues. One is the low participation rate among the eligible population and the other is that those with abnormal test results did not see a doctor for confirmation and management of their conditions.

To increase the participation rate, publicity postcards will be sent to eligible persons about 3 weeks before the screening dates. The Ministry encourages all who receive the postcards to participate in the "Check Your Health" programme.

As treatment for diabetes, hypertension and high blood cholesterol level is crucial to prevent complications, the Ministry will send follow-up letters to those with abnormal results to remind them to see a doctor. Nurses will follow-up with phone calls to persons who have not seen a doctor after receiving the reminder letters. We urge family members to encourage their loved ones to attend the screening and to see a doctor if the screening shows abnormal results.