The STEPS Manual provides a complete overview, guidelines and supporting materials for countries wishing to undertake NCD risk factor surveys using the WHO STEPwise approach to noncommunicable disease (NCD) risk factor surveillance. Sections of the manual will guide countries through the entire process, from planning through implementation, data management and reporting.

The STEPS Manual is comprised of seven parts and follows the sequence of events required to implement a STEPS survey. Each part of the manual is divided further into sections. Each part and section is introduced with a table of contents to help readers find specific topics. Click on the links to each of the parts below to read more about the content of each part and access the individual parts or sections of the STEPS Manual. It is also possible to download the complete STEPS Manual using the link below.

Table of contents

1. Introduction and roles
2. Planning and set up
3. Data collection
4. Data management and analysis, reporting and disseminating results
5. STEPS Instrument
6. Templates and forms
7. Glossary

Complete STEPS Manual (7.1Mb)

Part 1: Introduction and roles

The various roles and relationships involved in implementing the WHO STEPwise approach to surveillance are detailed in this section. It provides an overview of the relationships between all those involved in a STEPS survey, along with a detailed description of each of the roles and the key tasks associated with them.

Part 1: Introduction and roles (entire part)
Section 1: Introduction
Section 2: Roles and responsibilities

Part 2: Planning and set up

There are essential tasks which are needed during the planning and preparation of STEPS survey and they are described in-depth in this section of the manual.

Recruiting staff, identifying the scope of the survey, developing an implementation plan and a budget, adapting the STEPS Instrument, translating the materials, applying for ethical approval, what equipment to use, timeframes and scheduling data collection are all covered in the first section. Sampling procedures are extensively covered in the second section, which provides countries with guidelines and tools for developing a sampling frame and sample design selection.

Part 2: Planning and set up (entire part)
Section 1: Planning and preparing a STEPS survey
Section 2: Preparing the sample

Part 3: Data collection

This part provides information on the entire STEPS data collection process.

Introduction to electronic STEPS data collection (eSTEPS), information on how to train data collectors and run the pilot test, as well as a detailed description of each step of data collection (Step 1 interviews, Step 2 physical measurements, and Step 3 biochemical measurements) are covered in this part.

Part 4: Data management and analysis, reporting and disseminating results

Section 1 of Part 4 of the STEPS manual provides information on creating the final dataset, including downloading the data from the electronic devices for data collection, cleaning and weighting the data. Section 2 goes into the details of data analysis, including completing the STEPS fact sheet and data book.

Section 3 is on reporting STEPS data and disseminating results, but also includes a chapter on interpretation of results. Data policies and archiving are covered in section 4.

Part 5: STEPS Instrument

This part includes the STEPS Instrument as well as the question-by-question guide, the show cards, and the optional modules.

Part 6: Templates and forms

This part includes all the forms, templates and reports which are essential for all stages of the STEPS implementation ranging from the planning phase to the actual data dissemination.

Part 6: Templates and forms (entire part)
Section 1: Planning and set up templates
Section 2: Forms for STEPS field work
Section 3: Reporting templates
Section 3A: Fact sheet
Section 3B: Fact sheet analysis guide
Section 3C: Data book template
Section 3D: Country report template

Part 7: Glossary

A glossary is available with the most common technical terms used in the STEPS manual.

Part 7: Glossary (entire part)