Is the population of Bonaire, St. Eustatius and Saba adequately protected against infectious diseases such as measles and polio? How often does dengue fever strike? What are personal living conditions like and what sort of chronic diseases (e.g. diabetes) occur? In order to answer these and other questions, the Health Study will be carried out in May and June 2017. The results of this study could help to prevent and combat these diseases even more effectively in the future.

Health study

(An animation. Voice-over:)

CHEERFUL MUSIC

VOICE-OVER: You have received a letter,
inviting you to take part in the Health Study.
This is a survey about the health of people living in Bonaire, St Eustatius and Saba.
In the survey we examine how well you are protected
against infectious diseases and what your living conditions are.
It's important that you take part.
By doing so you will be making a big contribution to public health,
because the results will help us to take better measures
to prevent and combat diseases in the future.
What does the study involve?
The examination takes about an hour and starts with the signing of a declaration.
In doing so, you agree to participate in the research.
We measure your height, weight and blood pressure
and take a few drops of blood with a prick in your finger.
In the case of small children it will be a heel prick.
We take samples of mucus from the nose and the back of your throat
with a cotton swab.
You will also receive instructions on how to collect a stool sample at home.
The study ends with a questionnaire about your personal circumstances,
immunisations and lifestyle, among other things.
We can help you fill out the questions if needed.
Once you have completed each part of the study, you will receive 25 dollars.
Will you help make our islands healthier?
Drop in at one of the locations listed in the letter. Thank you.

THE CHEERFUL MUSIC CONTINUES FOR A MOMENT AND THEN FADES AWAY

(The Dutch coat of arms, next to: National Institute for Public Health and the Environment. The screen turns dark pink and white. On-screen text: Read more at www.rivm.nl/healthstudy.)

Who will be invited to take part?

By means of a random sample taken from the population registry (PIVA-V), a total of 8000 people aged from 0-89 years will be invited to take part:

  • 5000 people from Bonaire
  • 2000 from St. Eustatius and
  • 1000 from Saba.

Everyone will receive a personal invitation to attend an appointment in their neighbourhood.

The study on Bonaire starts on 2 May, followed by St. Eustatius from 30 May to 9 June and Saba from 12 to 19 June when data will be collected.

How will the study be carried out?

 

What will happen to the study samples?

The study samples will be stored at the National Institute for Public Health and the Environment (RIVM) laboratory back in the Netherlands. At the laboratory, the number of antibodies against infectious diseases from the National Immunisation Programme and the number against more locally occurring diseases that are found in the blood will be measured. The types of bacteria and viruses that occur in the nose and throat and in faeces will also be investigated. The questionnaire will then be used to identify risk factors.


Taking part is important!

By taking part in the Health Study, the population of Bonaire, St. Eustatius and Saba will be making a major contribution to public health. For this reason it is important that as many people as possible take part. Taking part is voluntary and all data will remain confidential.


Who will carry out the study?

The Ministry of Health, Welfare and Sport (VWS Ministerie van Volksgezondheid, Welzijn en Sport (Ministerie van Volksgezondheid, Welzijn en Sport)) has commissioned the RIVM in collaboration with Statistics Netherlands (CBS Centraal Bureau voor de Statistiek (Centraal Bureau voor de Statistiek)) and the Local Departments of Public Health (GGD Gemeentelijke Gezondheidsdienst (Gemeentelijke Gezondheidsdienst)).

More information

More information about this study can be found on the website www.rivm.nl/healthstudy. If you have questions these can be answered over the telephone by the Local Departments of Public Health on working days between 8.00-10.00

  • Bonaire: +599 717 2211
  • St. Eustatius: +599 318 2891
  • Saba: +599 416 3311, ext. 101

You can also email through healthstudy@rivm.nl.