A large-scale survey to better understand the health behaviors of Mayotte’s residents

The Health Barometers, conducted since the 1990s by Santé publique France, aim to describe the health behaviors, attitudes, and perceptions of the French population. Today, Santé publique France, in collaboration with the Indian Ocean Regional Health Agency (ARS Océan Indien), is launching a component of the Barometer in Mayotte for the first time with the Unono Wa Maore survey. The health topics covered include areas traditionally monitored in mainland France (tobacco and alcohol use, access to screenings, healthcare utilization, etc.), as well as issues specific to Mayotte: diabetes, high blood pressure, vaccination coverage among young children, and more. The survey will be conducted among a random sample of 6,000 children and adults aged 0 to 69.

A two-stage survey

The first stage of the survey is a face-to-face home interview conducted by interviewers and guided by a comprehensive 45-minute questionnaire that includes a variety of questions such as: Do you smoke tobacco, even just occasionally? In the past 12 months, have you had a sexually transmitted disease or infection? Have you been vaccinated against hepatitis B?... The questionnaire is available in the three most commonly spoken languages in Mayotte: French, Shimahoré, and Shibushi.

The second step involves a biological component. At the end of the interview, the interviewer will inform participants aged 15 and older about the procedures for joint screening for HBV, HCV, and HIV, as well as self-collection for gonorrhea and chlamydia testing, which will be performed at home. The samples will be analyzed by a laboratory, and the results will be provided free of charge to participants at various healthcare facilities on the island. This component aims to update prevalence estimates for these infections in the general population.

The initial results of the survey will help, on the one hand, to define public health priorities to improve the health status of a population highly exposed to numerous health risks, and on the other hand, to develop and adapt prevention and health promotion measures for the entire island, particularly by expanding access to screening for certain infections.Results are expected by the end of 2019.

Santé publique France is the national public health agency. It operates under the supervision of the Ministry of Solidarity and Health and is tasked with effectively protecting the health of the population. This mission is structured around three main pillars: anticipate, understand, act. Since 2016, Santé publique France has operated a branch of its Indian Ocean regional office in Mayotte, staffed by a team of three epidemiologists whose primary mission is to establish a health surveillance system on the island and to assess the health status of its residents.

For more information:

• 2018 Unono wa maore Survey