The STEPS Noncommunicable Disease Risk Factors Survey uses a survey methodology developed by the World Health Organization (WHO) to help countries establish noncommunicable disease surveillance systems. Some surveys are conducted at the country level and others at the subnational level. The methodology prescribes three steps—questionnaire, physical measurements, and biochemical measurements. Core topics covered by most surveys are demographics, health status, and health behaviors. These provide data on socioeconomic risk factors and metabolic, nutritional, and lifestyle risk factors. Details may differ from country to country and from year to year. 

This Malawian national survey included smoking, alcohol consumption, diet, physical activity, medical history, physical measurements, and biochemical measurements.