World Health Organization: The Use of Twins in Epidemiological Studies Report of the WHO Meeting of Investigators

1966 ◽  
Vol 15 (2) ◽  
pp. 109-128 ◽  
Keyword(s):  
Genetic Research ◽  
Twin Studies ◽  
Epidemiological Studies ◽  
Individual Characteristics ◽  
Population Characteristics ◽  
Raw Material ◽  
World Health ◽  
Experimental Investigations ◽  
Cross Sectional ◽  
Accessible Information

The WHO Meeting of Investigators on Methodology of Twin Studies was held in Geneva from 24 October to 1 November 1965. The meeting was opened by Dr L. Verhoestraete, Director, Division of Health Protection and Promotion, who welcomed the participants. He said that this meeting of geneticists, epidemiologists and clinicians had been called to review the possible contribution of twin studies, a recognized tool in genetic research, to the broader field of epidemiological investigations, where so far they had found comparatively little use.Professor D. D. Reid was elected Chairman; Professor L. Gedda, Vice-Chairman and Dr R. Cederlöf, Rapporteur.Studies of general population characteristics include vital statistics such as mortality and morbidity data which are obtained on a routine basis. These data constitute one of the best sources of raw material for epidemiological studies and provide easily accessible information for basic research and for programme planning in control of disease. Very often they raise questions concerning the epidemiology of chronic disease, which may help delineate the relevant factors and provide guiding hypotheses for further research in this field. A deeper understanding of disease may also be arrived at through the study of individual characteristics in cross-sectional, retrospective and prospective studies, and through experimental investigations. A cross-sectional study can be used not only in determining prevalence of disease in a population, but it can also serve as the base-point for a longitudinal study of chronic diseases.

scholarly journals Socioeconomic and health differences in physical activity: a cross sectional study in Lithuania

2019 ◽  
Vol 29 (Supplement_4) ◽  
Author(s):  
A Dedele ◽  
A Miskinyte
Keyword(s):  
Physical Activity ◽  
Socioeconomic Factors ◽  
Urban Areas ◽  
Cross Sectional Study ◽  
Individual Characteristics ◽  
World Health ◽  
Sectional Study ◽  
Cross Sectional ◽  
Health Differences ◽  
Sustainable Urban Mobility

Abstract Background Physical activity (PA) influences people’s individual health and quality of life and contributes to prevent non-communicable diseases. Research shows that only one third of the EU inhabitants satisfy the World Health Organisation’s recommendations for PA levels. Global decline in PA levels is associated with economic development, an increase in urbanization, communication technologies and the use of passive modes of transport. The aim of the study was to assess the levels of PA depending on socioeconomic factors and health among adults. Methods A cross sectional study of a random sample of Kaunas residents was conducted to investigate the habits of PA. A representative sample of 1111 individuals who completed the questionnaire were included in the study. Validated questionnaires were used to collect data. Multivariate logistic regressions were used to assess the relationship between the levels of PA and socioeconomic factors and health, adjusting for confounders. Results Our findings showed that non-workers were three times (OR 3.16; 95% CI 1.23-8.13) more likely to reach the levels of recommended PA compared to workers. The results revealed that car disposal and the increase in body mass index (BMI) were the two most important factors that reduced odds of reaching recommended levels of PA by 64 % (OR 0.36; 95% CI 0.14-0.93) and 13 % (OR 0.87; 95% CI 0.80-0.96). Conclusions The differences in PA levels by individual socioeconomic factors and health were investigated in this study. The European Commission actively promotes Sustainable Urban Mobility Planning by developing guidelines for the local authorities to promote active mobility and increase PA. Key messages The study highlights the importance of considering different individual characteristics when assessing PA and evaluating related health effects. It is important to improve the accessibility of urban areas and create cleaner and more sustainable transport modes to increase PA.

scholarly journals Contextual characteristics associated with the perceived neighbourhood scale in a cross-sectional study in a large urban centre in Brazil

BMJ Open ◽  
2018 ◽  
Vol 8 (8) ◽  
pp. e021445 ◽  
Author(s):  
Fabiano de Almeida Célio ◽  
Amélia Augusta de Lima Friche ◽  
M Zane Jennings ◽  
Amanda Cristina de Souza Andrade ◽  
Cesar Coelho Xavier ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Contextual Factors ◽  
Epidemiological Studies ◽  
Individual Characteristics ◽  
Ordinal Scale ◽  
Social Characteristics ◽  
Urban Centre ◽  
Cross Sectional ◽  
Contextual Characteristics ◽  
Belo Horizonte ◽  
Neighbourhood Scale

IntroductionHealth outcomes have been associated with physical and social characteristics of neighbourhoods, but little is known about the relationship between contextual factors and perceived neighbourhood scale.ObjectiveTo identify the contextual factors associated with self-perceived neighbourhood scale.MethodsWe analysed data from a cross-sectional population-based study in Belo Horizonte, Brazil, that took place in 2008–2009. The dependent variable was perceived neighbourhood, encoded as an ordinal scale based on a brief description of the concept of the neighbourhood, and two independent scales relating distance, expressed in terms of geography and time. Street connectivity, demographic density and residents’ perceptions of the neighbourhoods’ physical and social environment were used as contextual predictors. Individual characteristics were used as covariates. Multilevel ordinal logistic regression models estimated the association between perceived neighbourhood scale and contextual characteristics.ResultsResidents that perceive better walkability (OR 2.96; 95% CI 1.29 to 3.82) and high amounts of violence (OR 1.35; 95% CI 1.12 to 1.62) perceived their neighbourhoods to be larger, even after adjusting for individual characteristics.ConclusionThere are contextual factors that are associated with self-perceived neighbourhood scale. Careful definition of neighbourhood scale is a key factor in improving the results of eco-epidemiological studies. Although these findings must be further explored in other studies, these results can contribute to a better understanding of an appropriate choice of neighbourhood scale, especially for cities in Latin America.

scholarly journals Strengthening routine immunization in Papua New Guinea: implications for post-polio renewal from a cross-sectional provincial assessment of front-line services

2019 ◽  
Author(s):  
Christopher Morgan ◽  
Olga PM Saweri ◽  
Nicholas Larme ◽  
Elizabeth Peach ◽  
Pele Melepia ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Health Services ◽  
Papua New Guinea ◽  
New Guinea ◽  
Population Characteristics ◽  
Routine Immunization ◽  
World Health ◽  
National Strategy ◽  
Cross Sectional ◽  
Immunization Service ◽  
World Health Organization Quality

Abstract Background Routine immunization programs face challenges in settings such as Papua New Guinea: dispersed rural populations, rugged geography, and limited resources for transport and health. Low routine coverage contributes to outbreaks such as measles and the polio that re-appeared in 2018. Diversion of resources to the necessary emergency response can risk further weakening of the routine system. We report on an in-depth local assessment that documented immunization service provision so as to review new national strategy, and consider how emergency polio responses could simultaneously strengthen routine immunization. Methods In East New Britain Province, over 2016 and 17, we carried out a cross-sectional assessment of 12 rural health facilities, staff and clients. The study was timed to follow implementation of a new national strategy for strengthening routine immunization. We used interview, structured observation, and records review, informed by theory-based evaluation, a World Health Organization quality checklist, and other health services research tools. Results We documented strengths and weaknesses across six categories of program performance relevant to national immunization strategy and global standards. We found a functional immunization service with an operational level of staff, equipment and procedures in place; but one that could reach only half to two thirds of its target population. Stronger routine services require improvement in: understanding of population catchments, tracking the unvaccinated, reach and efficiency of outreach visits, staff knowledge of vaccination at birth and beyond the first year of life, handling of multi-dose vials, and engagement of community members. Many local suggestions to enhance national plans, including more reliable on-demand services, integration of other family health services and increased involvement of men. Conclusions The national strategy addresses most local gaps, but implementation and resourcing was insufficient. Emergency polio campaigns could support a stronger routine program by building local planning capacity, identifying new outreach sites, sharing intelligence on local population characteristics, integrating high-demand services and other vaccines, distributing educational materials, and modelling better involvement of trained lay health workers. Long-term strengthening requires a major increase in centrally-allocated resources, however there are immediate locally feasible steps within current resources that could boost coverage and quality of routine immunization.

scholarly journals Population characteristics of hostility among the population of a medium urban Siberian city: age and sex aspects

2020 ◽  
Vol 25 (6) ◽  
pp. 3688
Author(s):  
M. M. Kayumova ◽  
M. Yu. Akimov ◽  
V. V. Gafarov
Keyword(s):  
Epidemiological Studies ◽  
Population Characteristics ◽  
Sex Characteristics ◽  
Cross Sectional ◽  
Men And Women ◽  
Open Population ◽  
High Level ◽  
Age Range ◽  
Age And Sex ◽  
Population Norm

Aim. To assess age and sex characteristics of hostility among the population of a medium urban Siberian city.Material and methods. Cross-sectional epidemiological studies were carried out among men and women aged 25-64 years in Tyumen; the response rate was 85,0% among men and 70,3% among women. To assess hostility, the algorithms of the WHO program MONICA-Psychosocial were used. There were low, moderate and high levels of hostility. Low hostility was considered the population norm.Results. In the open population of a medium urban Siberian city, an unfavorable data was found for the hostility prevalence. High levels of hostility were revealed in both men and women in the whole age range. However, a high level of hostility prevailed among women compared to general population values by age and in four decades of life.Conclusion. The data obtained will help to develop evidence-based prevention programs based on the effects on psychosocial factors taking into account age and sex characteristics.

scholarly journals Association of workplace and population characteristics with prevalence of hypertension among Brazilian industry workers: a multilevel analysis

BMJ Open ◽  
2017 ◽  
Vol 7 (8) ◽  
pp. e015755 ◽  
Author(s):  
Daniele B Vinholes ◽  
Sérgio L Bassanesi ◽  
Hilton de Castro Chaves Junior ◽  
Carlos Alberto Machado ◽  
Ione M F Melo ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Risk Factors ◽  
Multilevel Analysis ◽  
Population Based ◽  
Cross Sectional Study ◽  
Individual Characteristics ◽  
Population Characteristics ◽  
Individual Risk ◽  
Small Companies ◽  
Cross Sectional ◽  
Individual Risk Factors

BackgroundExposure to risk factors for hypertension may be influenced by the characteristics of the workplace, where workers spend most of their daily time.ObjectivesTo evaluate the association between features of the companies, particularly the presence of facilities to provide meals, and of population characteristics and the prevalence of hypertension, taking into account individual risk factors for hypertension.Material and methodsThis multilevel analysis was based on a cross-sectional study with individual and company data from the SESI(Serviço Social da Indústria–Social Service of Industries)study and population-based data from the national census statistics. Workers aged ≥15 years were randomly selected from small (20–99), medium (100–499) and large (≥500 employees) companies per state using multistage sampling. Logistic regression was used to analyse the association between hypertension and individual, workplace and population variables, with odds ratios (ORs; 95% CI) adjusted for three-level variables.Results4818 Workers from 157 companies were interviewed and their blood pressure, weight and height were measured. Overall, 77% were men, aged 35.4 ±10.7 years, with 8.7 ±4.1 years of schooling and mostly worked in companies with a staff canteen (66%). Besides individual characteristics—being male, ageing, low schooling, alcohol abuse and higher BMI—a workplace with no staff canteen (OR=1.28; 95% CI 1.08 to 1.52), small companies (OR=1.31; 95% CI 1.07 to 1.60) and living in cities with higher economic inequality (OR=1.47; 95% CI 1.23 to 1.76) were associated with a higher risk for hypertension.ConclusionAmong Brazilian workers, the prevalence of hypertension is associated with individual risk factors, lack of a canteen at the workplace, small companies and higher economic inequalities of cities. These three-level characteristics help to interpret differences in the prevalence of hypertension between regions or countries.

scholarly journals Need for Orthodontic Treatment in Pupils Aged between 12 and 15 in the Valencian Region (Spain)

2021 ◽  
Vol 18 (19) ◽  
pp. 10162
Author(s):  
José Enrique Iranzo-Cortés ◽  
José María Montiel-Company ◽  
Carlos Bellot-Arcís ◽  
Teresa Almerich-Torres ◽  
José Manuel Almerich-Silla
Keyword(s):  
Orthodontic Treatment ◽  
Target Population ◽  
Epidemiological Studies ◽  
Cross Sectional Study ◽  
World Health ◽  
Cluster Sampling ◽  
Treatment Needs ◽  
Cross Sectional ◽  
Need For Treatment ◽  
Valencian Region

The World Health Organization recommends carrying out periodic epidemiological studies in order to provide a basis for the evaluation of the state of health of the population at any given time; in doing so, action strategies can be established for the treatment of different pathologies. The objective of this study is to evaluate the need for orthodontic treatment in adolescents at school aged between 12 and 15 in the Spanish autonomous region known as Comunidad Valenciana (hereafter: Valencian Region). A cross-sectional study was carried out on a sample of 539 12-year-old schoolchildren and 460 15-year-olds, respectively, selected by cluster sampling and representative of the school-aged population of the Valencian Region, using the IOTN-DHC, IOTN-AC, and DAI indices. The need for specific orthodontic treatment according to the IOTN-DHC was 12.6% at 12 years and 7% at 15. For the IOTN-AC and DAI indices, the treatment needs were 4.3% and 0.9% at 12 years and 30.1% and 20.9% at the age of 15. These results were similar to those obtained in the previous study carried out on the same target population. There was no significant association between the need for treatment and gender or social class. We conclude that the need for orthodontic treatment presents values similar to those obtained in 2010.

scholarly journals Occurrence of green tobacco sickness and associated factors in farmers residing in Dom Feliciano Municipality, Rio Grande do Sul State, Southern Region of Brazil

2020 ◽  
Vol 36 (8) ◽  
Author(s):  
Élida Campos ◽  
Vanessa Indio-do-Brasil da Costa ◽  
Sérgio Rabello Alves ◽  
Ana Cristina Simões Rosa ◽  
Bárbara Rodrigues Geraldino ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Associated Factors ◽  
Rio Grande ◽  
Population Characteristics ◽  
World Health ◽  
Urinary Concentration ◽  
P Value ◽  
Inverse Association ◽  
Rio Grande Do Sul ◽  
Sample Collection ◽  
Cross Sectional

Abstract: This study aimed to evaluate the occurrence of the green tobacco sickness (GTS) and its associated factors in tobacco familiar farmers residing in Dom Feliciano, Rio Grande do Sul State, Brazil. A cross-sectional study was conducted evaluating the sickness in 354 small tobacco farmers, between October 2011 and March 2012. The urinary concentration of cotinine, a biomarker of exposure to nicotine, was determined during the tobacco harvest period. Subjects presenting cotinine urinary levels ≥ 50ng/mL, that had contact with tobacco leaves up to 48 hours before the sample collection and reported at least one disease symptom were deemed as cases. A non-conditional logistic analysis was performed to evaluate the association between GTS and the population characteristics. A total of 122 (34.5%) cases were identified, with 39% of them being smokers and 61% being males. The median cotinine urinary concentrations were 75.6ng/mL (74.1ng/mg of creatinine) for non-cases and 755.8ng/mL (632.1ng/mg of creatinine) for the cases (p-value ≤ 0.01). The multivariate analysis showed a positive association between GTS and sunlight exposure time, exposure to pesticides, worse health status, and inverse association with wood cultivation. This study presented a high GTS prevalence and suggest that the use of urinary cotinine is a significant biomarker to determine GTS cases, influencing in the distribution by sex. Once the tobacco production involves health hazards, is important to implement measures to prevent the harm caused to tobacco farmers, as set in articles 17 and 18 of the World Health Organization Framework Convention on Tobacco Control.

scholarly journals Adequacy of alcohol-based handrub solution production practice in response to COVID-19 in public hospitals found in Addis Ababa, Ethiopia: a multicentered cross-sectional study

2021 ◽  
Vol 14 (1) ◽  
Author(s):  
Muluken Nigatu Selam ◽  
Regasa Bayisa ◽  
Andualem Ababu ◽  
Mahdi Abdella ◽  
Edessa Diriba ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Addis Ababa ◽  
Data Entry ◽  
Cross Sectional Study ◽  
Public Hospitals ◽  
Raw Material ◽  
World Health ◽  
Categorical Variables ◽  
Cross Sectional ◽  
Production Practice ◽  
Health Organization

Abstract Background Proper hand hygiene using alcohol-based handrub (ABHR) is an effective preventive approach for the current Coronavirus Disease 2019 (COVID-19) pandemic and other infections. World Health Organization recommends local production of ABHR solution in healthcare settings which provides a feasible alternative to the use of relatively expensive commercially produced hand sanitizers. The aim of this study was to explore the adequacy of ABHR solution production practice in response to COVID-19 in public hospitals of Addis Ababa, Ethiopia. Methods A cross-sectional observational study was applied using assessment checklist for evaluation of the adequacy of ABHR production practice in compounding units of public hospitals. The evaluation was done with regard to the standard requirements as per the checklist. Statistical Package for Social Sciences (SPSS) version 23 was used for data entry and analysis. Descriptive statistics was employed for analyses of data and categorical variables were described by frequencies and percentages. Results Out of the 13 public hospitals observed in the study, 11 facilities had dedicated premises for compounding of ABHR solution. Seven facilities determined the concentration of ethanol in ABHR solution using alcoholmeters. Only one health facility had a titration kit and performed a strength test for the hydrogen peroxide raw material. Thermal and chemical disinfection processes were practiced for cleaning of recycled dispensing bottles only in 3 and 2 hospitals, respectively. Most of the hospitals (11 facilities) had standard operating procedures (SOPs) for production, but the majority lack SOPs for beyond-use-date assignment (11 facilities), premise and equipment cleaning (12 facilities), and disinfection of recycled bottles (12 facilities). Conclusion Most hospitals have fulfilled the majority requirements of premises required for compounding of ABHR solution in their facilities. Five hospitals did not verify the concentration of ethanol in the ABHR solution which might affect the effectiveness of the product. Generally, lower compliance of the majority studied hospitals to good compounding practice was observed during ABHR solution production especially for product preparation, quality control, and documentation.

scholarly journals Low Praziquantel Treatment Coverage for Schistosoma mansoni in Mayuge District, Uganda, Due to the Absence of Treatment Opportunities, Rather Than Systematic Non-Compliance

2018 ◽  
Vol 3 (4) ◽  
pp. 111 ◽  
Author(s):  
Moses Adriko ◽  
Christina Faust ◽  
Lauren Carruthers ◽  
Arinaitwe Moses ◽  
Edridah Tukahebwa ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Multivariate Logistic Regression Analysis ◽  
Individual Characteristics ◽  
World Health ◽  
Policy Recommendations ◽  
Cross Sectional ◽  
Individual Level ◽  
Praziquantel Treatment ◽  
Adults And Children ◽  
Health Organization ◽  
Untreated Individuals

The World Health Organization (WHO) recommends praziquantel mass drug administration (MDA) to control schistosomiasis in endemic regions. We aimed to quantify recent and lifetime praziquantel coverage, and reasons for non-treatment, at an individual level to guide policy recommendations to help Uganda reach WHO goals. Cross-sectional household surveys (n = 681) encompassing 3208 individuals (adults and children) were conducted in 2017 in Bugoto A and B, Mayuge District, Uganda. Participants were asked if they had received praziquantel during the recent MDA (October 2016) and whether they had ever received praziquantel in their lifetime. A multivariate logistic regression analysis with socio-economic and individual characteristics as covariates was used to determine factors associated with praziquantel uptake. In the MDA eligible population (≥5 years of age), the most recent MDA coverage was 48.8%. Across individuals’ lifetimes, 31.8% of eligible and 49.5% of the entire population reported having never taken praziquantel. Factors that improved individuals’ odds of taking praziquantel included school enrolment, residence in Bugoto B and increasing years of village-residency. Not being offered (49.2%) and being away during treatment (21.4%) were the most frequent reasons for not taking the 2016 praziquantel MDA. Contrary to expectations, chronically-untreated individuals were rarely systematic non-compliers, but more commonly not offered treatment.

scholarly journals The Moderating Effect of Community-Level Deprivation on the Association between Individual Characteristics and Smoking Behavior among Chinese Adults: A Cross-Level Study

2021 ◽  
Vol 18 (11) ◽  
pp. 5785
Author(s):  
Nan Chen ◽  
Chang-Gyeong Kim
Keyword(s):  
Perceived Stress ◽  
Strong Association ◽  
Smoking Behavior ◽  
Individual Characteristics ◽  
Community Level ◽  
World Health ◽  
Nutrition Survey ◽  
Cross Sectional ◽  
Smoking Intensity ◽  
Health Organization

China joined the World Health Organization (WHO) Framework Convention on Tobacco Control in 2006; however, the overall Chinese smoking rate is still high. The aim of this study is to provide new evidence for the direct effects of community-level deprivation, and the effects of interactions between community-level deprivation and individual characteristics, on smoking intensity, by using cross-sectional data from the 2015 China Health and Nutrition Survey (CHNS). The results show that there is a strong association between community-level deprivation and individual smoking intensity, and that community deprivation moderates the relationship between individual perceived stress and smoking intensity. The findings imply that adequate interventions should be conducted in the context of deprived neighborhoods, and should consider differences between levels of individual perceived stress and between sexes, especially focusing on highly stressed women who live in deprived communities.

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