The First Nationally and Sub-Nationally Representative Non-Communicable Diseases Cohort Study in Iran: Iran Cohort Study (Ics) Protocol Publisher



Djalalinia S^{1, 2} ; Azadnajafabad S¹ ; Rezaei N¹ ; Malekpour MR¹ ; Ghasemi E¹ ; Yoosefi M¹ ; Naderimagham S^{1, 3} ; Ghamari A¹ ; Haghshenas R¹ ; Farzi Y^{1, 4} ; Moghaddam SS¹ ; Rezaei N¹ ; Farzadfar F^{1, 4} Show Affiliations
Source: Journal of Diabetes and Metabolic Disorders Published:2023

Abstract

Purpose: Non-communicable diseases (NCDs) have become a global health priority with a great need for prompt evidence-based preventing and managing interventions. Here, we describe the development of a comprehensive cohort study that provides the most accurate results for NCDs’ risk factors, named the Iran Cohort Study (ICS) to estimate the effect size of the risk factors associated with major NCDs. Methods: This cohort is an observational prospective study, which its baseline data was gathered through the Iran STEPwise Approach to NCD Risk Factor Surveillance (STEPs) survey in 2016. Following the STROBE criteria, the protocols for investigation of several areas were developed. The follow-up phase began through telephone calls to estimate the effect size of socio-demographic, behavioral, and metabolic risk factors on the incidence of or death due to major NCDs during the three years of study period. Delinerables: The main deliverables of ICS are planned to be as following; a comprehensive bank of primary data and follow-up data, national and subnational reports on estimation of the effect size of various risk factors, and a policy brief on the policy options and recommendations for promotion of ongoing programs and designing new interventions. Also, the collected data on the individuals’ health status will be sent to the participants as an electronic health record. Conclusion: The present study is the first comprehensive national and sub-national representative cohort study on NCDs’ risk factors in Iranian adults. The results could be used for promotion of health planning and also future complementary studies and programs. © 2022, The Author(s), under exclusive licence to Tehran University of Medical Sciences.