Modeling Qualitative Outcomes by Supplementing Participant Data with General Population Data: A New and More Versatile Approach

Abstract Although one often has detailed information about participants in a program, the lack of comparable information on non-participants precludes standard qualitative choice estimation. This challenge can be overcome by incorporating a supplementary sample of covariate values from the general population. This paper presents new estimators based on this sampling strategy, which perform comparably to the best existing supplementary sampling estimators. The key advantage of the new estimators is that they readily incorporate sample weights, so that they can be applied to Census surveys and other supplementary data sources that have been generated using complex sample designs. This substantially widens the range of problems that can be addressed under a supplementary sampling estimation framework. The potential for improving precision by incorporating imperfect knowledge of the population prevalence rate is also explored.

Download Full-text

Substance misuse in a chronic psychosis population Prevalence and staff perceptions

Psychiatric Bulletin ◽

10.1192/pb.22.10.595 ◽

1998 ◽

Vol 22 (10) ◽

pp. 595-598 ◽

Cited By ~ 11

Author(s):

Steve Brown

Keyword(s):

General Population ◽

Prevalence Rate ◽

Substance Misuse ◽

Service Providers ◽

Clinical Implications ◽

Specific Training ◽

Staff Perceptions ◽

Validated Questionnaires ◽

Population Prevalence ◽

Chronic Psychosis

Aims and methodThis paper describes the prevalence of substance misuse in a population with chronic psychosis and compares the results with staff estimates. Keyworkers were interviewed using validated questionnaires.ResultsThe prevalence rate of substance misuse was higher than in the general population but significantly lower than staff estimates. Staff had little specific training or experience in treating substance misuse.Clinical implicationsSubstance misuse is a significant problem among patients with chronic psychosis. Service providers should ensure than staff working with these patients are adequately trained in the management of this problem.

Download Full-text

Evaluating the Environmental Impacts of Personal Protective Equipment Use by the General Population during the COVID-19 Pandemic: A Case Study of Lombardy (Northern Italy)

Environments ◽

10.3390/environments8040033 ◽

2021 ◽

Vol 8 (4) ◽

pp. 33

Author(s):

Gilberto Binda ◽

Arianna Bellasi ◽

Davide Spanu ◽

Andrea Pozzi ◽

Domenico Cavallo ◽

...

Keyword(s):

General Population ◽

Personal Protective Equipment ◽

Population Data ◽

Test Site ◽

Protective Equipment ◽

National Guidelines ◽

Plastic Pollution ◽

Negative Effects ◽

Lombardy Region ◽

Life Habits

The diffusion of Coronavirus disease (COVID-19) impacted the whole world, changing the life habits of billions of people. These changes caused an abundant increase in personal protective equipment (PPE, e.g., masks and gloves) use by the general population, which can become a concerning issue of plastic pollution. This study aims to evaluate the negative effects of the abundant PPE use following the COVID-19 diffusion using the test site of the Lombardy region, an area highly affected by the pandemic. Population data were retrieved from national databases, and the COVID-19 national guidelines were considered to estimate the total use of PPEs during 2020. Then, the quantity of waste derived from their use was evaluated based on the weight of PPEs. As well, possible scenarios for 2021 were proposed based on 2020 estimations. The results suggested different negative effects of the diffusion of PPEs both on waste management and on the environment: The abundant increase in PPEs-derived waste caused an increase in terms of costs for management, and the potential direct spreading in the environment of these materials (especially masks) poses a serious threat for an increase in microplastics in water bodies. Following this evaluation, a careful choice regarding COVID-19 measures of containment should be performed especially by the general population, avoiding contagion diffusion and reducing the possible environmental impact derived from disposable PPE use.

Download Full-text

Left ventricular mechanical dispersion in a general population: Data from the Akershus Cardiac Examination 1950 study

European Heart Journal - Cardiovascular Imaging ◽

10.1093/ehjci/jez210 ◽

2019 ◽

Author(s):

Erika N Aagaard ◽

Brede Kvisvik ◽

Mohammad O Pervez ◽

Magnus N Lyngbakken ◽

Trygve Berge ◽

...

Keyword(s):

General Population ◽

Global Longitudinal Strain ◽

Population Data ◽

Left Ventricular ◽

Linear Regression Models ◽

Cross Sectional ◽

Clinical Model ◽

Mechanical Dispersion ◽

Obesity And Diabetes ◽

Increased Risk

Abstract Aims Increased left ventricular mechanical dispersion by 2D speckle tracking echocardiography predicts ventricular arrhythmias in ischaemic heart disease and heart failure. However, little is known about mechanical dispersion in the general population. We aimed to study mechanical dispersion in the general population and in diseases associated with increased risk of cardiovascular disease. Methods and results The present cross-sectional study consists of 2529 subjects born in 1950 included in the Akershus Cardiac Examination (ACE) 1950 study. Global longitudinal strain (GLS) was assessed from 17 strain segments, and mechanical dispersion calculated as the standard deviation of contraction duration of all segments. The cohort was divided according to the median value of mechanical dispersion, and multivariable linear regression models were performed with mechanical dispersion as the dependent variable. The prevalence of coronary artery disease (CAD), hypertension, obesity, and diabetes (P < 0.01 for all) was significantly higher in subjects with supra-median mechanical dispersion. In a multivariable clinical model, CAD (B = 7.05), hypertension (B = 4.15; both P < 0.001), diabetes (B = 3.39), and obesity (B = 1.89; both P < 0.05) were independently associated with increasing mechanical dispersion. When echocardiographic indices were added to the multivariable model, CAD (B = 4.38; P < 0.01) and hypertension (B = 2.86; P < 0.001) remained significant in addition to peak early diastolic tissue velocity e’ (B = −2.00), GLS (B = 1.68), and ejection fraction (B = 0.22; P < 0.001 for all). Conclusion In a general middle-aged population, prevalent CAD and hypertension were associated with increasing mechanical dispersion, possibly indicating elevated risk of fatal arrhythmias and sudden cardiac death. Albeit weaker, systolic and diastolic dysfunction, were also associated with increasing mechanical dispersion.

Download Full-text

The epidemiology of contact allergy in the general population – prevalence and main findings

Contact Dermatitis ◽

10.1111/j.1600-0536.2007.01220.x ◽

2007 ◽

Vol 57 (5) ◽

pp. 287-299 ◽

Cited By ~ 426

Author(s):

Jacob Pontoppidan Thyssen ◽

Allan Linneberg ◽

Torkil Menné ◽

Jeanne Duus Johansen

Keyword(s):

General Population ◽

Contact Allergy ◽

Population Prevalence

Download Full-text

The prevalence rate of smoking among Veterans: A forgotten epidemic

Journal of Military Veteran and Family Health ◽

10.3138/jmvfh-2020-0038 ◽

2021 ◽

Vol 7 (2) ◽

pp. 16-25

Author(s):

Salome K. Mshigeni ◽

Champagne Moore ◽

Nicole L. Arkadie

Keyword(s):

Health Care ◽

General Population ◽

Cognitive Processing ◽

Health Care Providers ◽

Stress Reduction ◽

Prevalence Rate ◽

Behavioral Therapy ◽

Cognitive Processing Therapy ◽

Care Providers ◽

Quit Smoking

LAY SUMMARY The purpose of this study was to learn more about the smoking habits of U.S. Veterans compared with the rest of the population and to find the best ways to help Veterans quit smoking. This study found that Veterans tend to smoke more than the general population and that some groups of Veterans smoke more than others. When helping Veterans to quit smoking, health care providers should use approaches that are based on evidence, such as cognitive behavioral therapy, cognitive processing therapy, mindfulness-based stress reduction, and biofeedback in addition to the traditional 3A cessation model (ask, advise, refer).

Download Full-text

Comorbidity of DSM–III–R Major Depressive Disorder in the General Population: Results from the US National Comorbidity Survey

The British Journal of Psychiatry ◽

10.1192/s0007125000298371 ◽

1996 ◽

Vol 168 (S30) ◽

pp. 17-30 ◽

Cited By ~ 579

Author(s):

R. C. Kessler ◽

C. B. Nelson ◽

K. A. McGonagle ◽

J. Liu ◽

M. Swartz ◽

...

Keyword(s):

Major Depressive Disorder ◽

General Population ◽

Depressive Disorder ◽

Composite International Diagnostic Interview ◽

Population Data ◽

Diagnostic Interview ◽

Prior History ◽

Major Depressive ◽

National Comorbidity Survey ◽

The Us

General population data are presented on the prevalence and correlates of comorbidity between DSM–III–R major depressive disorder (MDD) and other DSM–III–R disorders. The data come from the US National Comorbidity Survey, a large general population survey of persons aged 15–54 years in the non-institutionalised civilian population. Diagnoses are based on a modified version of the Composite International Diagnostic Interview (CIDI). The analysis shows that most cases of lifetime MDD are secondary, in the sense that they occur in people with a prior history of another DSM–III–R disorder. Anxiety disorders are the most common primary disorders. The time-lagged effects of most primary disorders on the risk of subsequent MDD continue for many years without change in magnitude. Secondary MDD is, in general, more persistent and severe than pure or primary MDD. This has special public health significance because lifetime prevalence of secondary MDD has increased in recent cohorts, while the prevalence of pure and primary depression has remained unchanged.

Download Full-text

Methodology of Natsal-COVID Wave 1: a large, quasi-representative survey with qualitative follow-up measuring the impact of COVID-19 on sexual and reproductive health in Britain

Wellcome Open Research ◽

10.12688/wellcomeopenres.16963.1 ◽

2021 ◽

Vol 6 ◽

pp. 209

Author(s):

Emily Dema ◽

Andrew J Copas ◽

Soazig Clifton ◽

Anne Conolly ◽

Margaret Blake ◽

...

Keyword(s):

General Population ◽

Reproductive Health ◽

Sexual Behaviour ◽

Sexual And Reproductive Health ◽

Service Use ◽

Population Data ◽

Population Level ◽

Level Data ◽

The Impact

Background: Britain’s National Surveys of Sexual Attitudes and Lifestyles (Natsal) have been undertaken decennially since 1990 and provide a key data source underpinning sexual and reproductive health (SRH) policy. The COVID-19 pandemic disrupted many aspects of sexual lifestyles, triggering an urgent need for population-level data on sexual behaviour, relationships, and service use at a time when gold-standard in-person, household-based surveys with probability sampling were not feasible. We designed the Natsal-COVID study to understand the impact of COVID-19 on the nation’s SRH and assessed the sample representativeness. Methods: Natsal-COVID Wave 1 data collection was conducted four months (29/7-10/8/2020) after the announcement of Britain’s first national lockdown (23/03/2020). This was an online web-panel survey administered by survey research company, Ipsos MORI. Eligible participants were resident in Britain, aged 18-59 years, and the sample included a boost of those aged 18-29. Questions covered participants’ sexual behaviour, relationships, and SRH service use. Quotas and weighting were used to achieve a quasi-representative sample of the British general population. Participants meeting criteria of interest and agreeing to recontact were selected for qualitative follow-up interviews. Comparisons were made with contemporaneous national probability surveys and Natsal-3 (2010-12) to understand bias. Results: 6,654 participants completed the survey and 45 completed follow-up interviews. The weighted Natsal-COVID sample was similar to the general population in terms of gender, age, ethnicity, rurality, and, among sexually-active participants, numbers of sexual partners in the past year. However, the sample was more educated, contained more sexually-inexperienced people, and included more people in poorer health. Conclusions: Natsal-COVID Wave 1 rapidly collected quasi-representative population data to enable evaluation of the early population-level impact of COVID-19 and lockdown measures on SRH in Britain and inform policy. Although sampling was less representative than the decennial Natsals, Natsal-COVID will complement national surveillance data and Natsal-4 (planned for 2022).

Download Full-text