scholarly journals EpiFloripa Health Survey: the methodological and operational aspects behind the scenes

2014 ◽  
Vol 17 (1) ◽  
pp. 147-162 ◽  
Author(s):  
Alexandra Crispim Boing ◽  
Karen Glazer Peres ◽  
Antonio Fernando Boing ◽  
Pedro C Hallal ◽  
Nilza Nunes Silva ◽  
...  

The present study aims at describing the sampling plan, operational aspects and strategies used to optimize the field work of a cross-sectional, population-based study conducted in a southern capital of Brazil. For this purpose, the sample design, data collection instrument, selection of interviewers, pilot study, data collection, field logistics, quality control, consistency control, costs, and divulgation of results are herein described. The study's response rate was 85.3%. We found that the comparison of frequency measurements with and without self-assessment had no significant impact on the estimates, and that the design effect, estimated at 2, was sufficient for most calculations. The reproducibility of the questionnaire was satisfactory, with Kappa values and intraclass correlation coefficients ranging from 0.6 to 0.9. The strategies used to overcome operational problems, such as counting of households, use of maps, questionnaire structuring, rigorous organization of the field work and monitoring of the estimates were fundamental in conducting the study.

Author(s):  
Zuwaira Sani ◽  
Oche Mansur Oche ◽  
Ahmad Yakubu ◽  
Nwobodo Emmanuel

Background: Women experience multiple worries during the childbearing period, nearly every pregnant woman or her partner will worry about something pregnancy-related at one point or another. The objectives of the study were to assess the worries of pregnant women using the Cambridge Worry Scale, compare the degree of worries between primigravida and multiparae pregnant women and compare the worries of pregnant women by their stage of pregnancy. Materials and method: The study was a cross-sectional descriptive study design. Four health centers were randomly selected and 361 pregnant women were recruited for the study. Data collection instrument was a self-administered / interviewer-administered questionnaire developed using the Cambridge worry scale Result and Conclusion: Ranking of worries of pregnant women using mean score value showed that pregnant women worry more about child-birth (1.99), their health (1.79), and the possibility of something wrong with the baby (1.70) and money (1.40). This study was able to assess the worries of pregnant women using the Cambridge Worry Scale. It is recommended that health care personnel should take more time in assessing pregnant women for the wellbeing of both the mother and baby.


2011 ◽  
Vol 14 (11) ◽  
pp. 2015-2021 ◽  
Author(s):  
Alejandra A Benítez-Arciniega ◽  
Michelle A Mendez ◽  
Jose M Baena-Díez ◽  
Maria-Asunción Rovira Martori ◽  
Cristina Soler ◽  
...  

AbstractObjectiveThe aim of the present study was to assess the concurrent and construct validity of two diet-quality indices, a modified Mediterranean diet score (mMDS) and a Mediterranean-like diet score (MLDS) additionally incorporating unhealthy food choices, as determined by an FFQ.DesignA validation study assessing FFQ intake estimates compared with ten or more unannounced 24 h recalls. Pearson's correlation coefficients, intraclass correlation coefficients (ICC), Bland–Altman plots and the limits of agreement method were used to assess the between-method agreement of scores. Construct validity was shown using associations between nutrient intakes derived from multiple 24 h recalls and the mMDS and MLDS derived from the FFQ.SettingGerona, Spain.SubjectsA total of 107 consecutively selected participants from a population-based cross-sectional survey.ResultsPearson's correlations for the energy-adjusted mMDS and MLDS compared with multiple recalls were 0·48 and 0·62, respectively. The average FFQ energy-adjusted mMDS and MLDS were 102 % and 98 % of the recall-based mMDS and MLDS estimates, respectively. The FFQ under- and overestimated dietary recall estimates of the energy-adjusted MLDS by 28 % and 25 %, respectively, with slightly wider boundaries for the mMDS (31 % and 34 %). The ICC, which assesses absolute agreement, was similar to Pearson's correlations (mMDS = 0·48 and MLDS = 0·61). The mean differences between methods were similar across the range of average ratings for both scores, indicating the absence of bias. The FFQ-derived mMDS and MLDS correlated in the anticipated directions with intakes of eleven (73·3 %) and thirteen of fifteen nutrients (86·7 %), respectively.ConclusionsThe FFQ provides valid estimates of diet quality as assessed by the mMDS and MLDS.


BMJ Open ◽  
2020 ◽  
Vol 10 (8) ◽  
pp. e033839
Author(s):  
Colette Andrea Cunningham-Myrie ◽  
Novie O Younger ◽  
Katherine P Theall ◽  
Lisa-Gaye Greene ◽  
Parris Lyew-Ayee ◽  
...  

ObjectiveTo derive estimates of the associations between measures of the retail food environments and mean body mass index (BMI) in Jamaica, a middle-income country with increasing prevalence of obesity.DesignCross-sectional study.SettingData from the Jamaica Health and Lifestyle Survey 2008 (JHLS II), a nationally representative population-based survey that recruited persons at their homes over a 4-month period from all 14 parishes and 113 neighbourhoods defined as enumeration districts.ParticipantsA subsample of 2529 participants aged 18–74 years from the JHLS II who completed interviewer-administered surveys, provided anthropometric measurements and whose addresses were geocoded.Primary outcome measureMean BMI, calculated as weight divided by height squared (kg/m2).ResultsThere was significant clustering across neighbourhoods for mean BMI (intraclass correlation coefficients=4.16%). Fully adjusted models revealed higher mean BMI among women, with further distance away from supermarkets (β=0.12; 95% CI 8.20×10−3, 0.24; p=0.036) and the absence of supermarkets within a 1 km buffer zone (β=1.36; 95% CI 0.20 to 2.52; p=0.022). A 10 km increase in the distance from a supermarket was associated with a 1.7 kg/m2 higher mean BMI (95% CI 0.03 to 0.32; p=0.020) in the middle class. No associations were detected with fast-food outlets or interaction by urbanicity.ConclusionsHigher mean BMI in Jamaicans may be partially explained by the presence of supermarkets and markets and differ by sex and social class. National efforts to curtail obesity in middle-income countries should consider interventions focused at the neighbourhood level that target the location and density of supermarkets and markets and consider sex and social class-specific factors that may be influencing the associations.


2021 ◽  
Vol 15 (8) ◽  
pp. 2070-2072
Author(s):  
Farhan Riaz ◽  
Saima Sabir ◽  
Umer Abdullah ◽  
Muhammad Shairaz Sadiq ◽  
Ejaz Husain Sahu ◽  
...  

Objective: of this study is to analyze the behavior/attitude of general dental practitioners towards record keeping and quality assessment of patient records found in different dental practices of Lahore. Study design: Cross sectional, Descriptive, Questionnaire based study (Copy of questionnaire attached). Place and Duration of Study: Data collection for this study was conducted in different private dental practices of Lahore from Oct-2017 to Dec-2017. Methods; A random sample of 60 dental practices were selected by means of stratified sampling from different towns of Lahore. Dentists were interviewed and patient records were checked for data collection which is analyzed using SPSS version 23. Results: Interview of 43 dentists and analysis of patient records from their practices revealed that 16 (37.2%) practices have no record at all and even none of the remaining 27 (62.8%) practices. Who claim to have patient records, has any properly completed record. Shows that dentists have got very casual behavior towards record keeping as most of them were not having any records and the remaining ones who claimed to have patient records, were maintaining them in a very poor form. Conclusion: Female dentists, postgraduates and dentists working in group practices and affluent areas were found to have relatively more tendency towards record keeping. Recommendation; Dentist training institutes and health implementing authorities are the main areas which need to be stressed upon for improvement of record keeping. Keywords: (MESH) Record keeping, Dental photography, Dentist, Post-graduate, Health authorities, Affluent areas.


Biomolecules ◽  
2020 ◽  
Vol 10 (2) ◽  
pp. 295
Author(s):  
Kjersti Sletten Bakken ◽  
Ingvild Oma ◽  
Synne Groufh-Jacobsen ◽  
Beate Stokke Solvik ◽  
Lise Mette Mosand ◽  
...  

Mild to moderate iodine deficiency is common among women of childbearing age. Data on iodine status in infants are sparse, partly due to the challenges in collecting urine. Urinary iodine concentration (UIC) is considered a good marker for recent dietary iodine intake and status in populations. The aim of this study was to investigate the reliability of iodine concentration measured in two spot-samples from the same day of diaper-retrieved infant urine and in their mothers’ breastmilk. We collected urine and breastmilk from a sample of 27 infants and 25 mothers participating in a cross-sectional study at two public healthcare clinics in Norway. The reliability of iodine concentration was assessed by calculating the intraclass correlation coefficients (ICC) and the coefficient of variation (CV). The ICC for infants’ urine was 0.64 (95% confidence interval (CI) 0.36–0.82), while the ICC for breastmilk was 0.83 (95% CI 0.65–0.92) Similarly, the intraindividual CV for UIC was 0.25 and 0.14 for breastmilk iodine concentration (BIC). Compared to standard methods of collecting urine for measuring iodine concentration, the diaper-pad collection method does not substantially affect the reliability of the measurements.


2021 ◽  
Vol 8 ◽  
Author(s):  
Yunru Liao ◽  
Zhenlan Yang ◽  
Zijing Li ◽  
Rui Zeng ◽  
Jing Wang ◽  
...  

Purpose: Purpose of this study is to evaluate the measuring consistency of central refraction between multispectral refraction topography (MRT) and autorefractometry.Methods: This was a descriptive cross-sectional study including subjects in Sun Yat-sen Memorial Hospital from September 1, 2020, to December 31, 2020, ages 20 to 35 years with a best corrected visual acuity of 20/20 or better. All patients underwent cycloplegia, and the refractive status was estimated with autorefractometer, experienced optometrist and MRT. We analyzed the central refraction of the autorefractometer and MRT. The repeatability and reproducibility of values measured using both devices were evaluated using intraclass correlation coefficients (ICCs).Results: A total of 145 subjects ages 20 to 35 (290 eyes) were enrolled. The mean central refraction of the autorefractometer was −4.69 ± 2.64 diopters (D) (range −9.50 to +4.75 D), while the mean central refraction of MRT was −4.49 ± 2.61 diopters (D) (range −8.79 to +5.02 D). Pearson correlation analysis revealed a high correlation between the two devices. The intraclass correlation coefficient (ICC) also showed high agreement. The intrarater and interrater ICC values of central refraction were more than 0.90 in both devices and conditions. At the same time, the mean central refraction of experienced optometrist was −4.74 ± 2.66 diopters (D) (range −9.50 to +4.75D). The intra-class correlation coefficient of central refraction measured by MRT and subjective refraction was 0.939.Conclusions: Results revealed that autorefractometry, experienced optometrist and MRT show high agreement in measuring central refraction. MRT could provide a potential objective method to assess peripheral refraction.


10.2196/20172 ◽  
2021 ◽  
Vol 4 (1) ◽  
pp. e20172
Author(s):  
Masanori Tanaka ◽  
Manabu Saito ◽  
Michio Takahashi ◽  
Masaki Adachi ◽  
Kazuhiko Nakamura

Background Early detection and intervention for neurodevelopmental disorders are effective. Several types of paper questionnaires have been developed to assess these conditions in early childhood; however, the psychometric equivalence between the web-based and the paper versions of these questionnaires is unknown. Objective This study examined the interformat reliability of the web-based parent-rated version of the Autism Spectrum Screening Questionnaire (ASSQ), Attention-Deficit/Hyperactivity Disorder Rating Scale (ADHD-RS), Developmental Coordination Disorder Questionnaire 2007 (DCDQ), and Strengths and Difficulties Questionnaire (SDQ) among Japanese preschoolers in a community developmental health check-up setting. Methods A set of paper-based questionnaires were distributed for voluntary completion to parents of children aged 5 years. The package of the paper format questionnaires included the ASSQ, ADHD-RS, DCDQ, parent-reported SDQ (P-SDQ), and several additional demographic questions. Responses were received from 508 parents of children who agreed to participate in the study. After 3 months, 300 parents, who were among the initial responders, were randomly selected and asked to complete the web-based versions of these questionnaires. A total of 140 parents replied to the web-based format and were included as a final sample in this study. Results We obtained the McDonald ω coefficients for both the web-based and paper formats of the ASSQ (web-based: ω=.90; paper: ω=.86), ADHD-RS total and subscales (web-based: ω=.88-.94; paper: ω=.87-.93), DCDQ total and subscales (web-based: ω=.82-.94; paper: ω=.74-.92), and P-SDQ total and subscales (web-based: ω=.55-.81; paper: ω=.52-.80). The intraclass correlation coefficients between the web-based and paper formats were all significant at the 99.9% confidence level: ASSQ (r=0.66, P<.001); ADHD-RS total and subscales (r=0.66-0.74, P<.001); DCDQ total and subscales (r=0.66-0.71, P<.001); P-SDQ Total Difficulties and subscales (r=0.55-0.73, P<.001). There were no significant differences between the web-based and paper formats for total mean score of the ASSQ (P=.76), total (P=.12) and subscale (P=.11-.47) mean scores of DCDQ, and the P-SDQ Total Difficulties mean score (P=.20) and mean subscale scores (P=.28-.79). Although significant differences were found between the web-based and paper formats for mean ADHD-RS scores (total: t132=2.83, P=.005; Inattention subscale: t133=2.15, P=.03; Hyperactivity/Impulsivity subscale: t133=3.21, P=.002), the effect sizes were small (Cohen d=0.18-0.22). Conclusions These results suggest that the web-based versions of the ASSQ, ADHD-RS, DCDQ, and P-SDQ were equivalent, with the same level of internal consistency and intrarater reliability as the paper versions, indicating the applicability of the web-based versions of these questionnaires for assessing neurodevelopmental disorders.


2021 ◽  
pp. 105566562110403
Author(s):  
Todd C. Edwards ◽  
Carrie L. Heike ◽  
Kathleen A. Kapp-Simon ◽  
Salene M. Jones ◽  
Brian G. Leroux ◽  
...  

Objective We evaluated the measurement properties for item and domain scores of the Infant with Clefts Observation Outcomes Instrument (iCOO). Design Cross-sectional (before lip surgery) and longitudinal study (preoperative baseline and 2 days and 2 months after lip surgery). Setting Three academic craniofacial centers and national online advertisements. Participants Primary caregivers with an infant with cleft lip with or without cleft palate (CL  ±  P) scheduled to undergo primary lip repair. There were 133 primary caregivers at baseline, 115 at 2 days postsurgery, and 112 at 2 months postsurgery. Main Outcome Measure(s) Caregiver observation items ( n = 61) and global impression of health and function items ( n = 8) across eight health domains. Results Mean age at surgery was 6.0 months (range 2.7-11.8 months). Five of eight iCOO domains have scale scores, with Cronbach’s alphas ranging from 0.67 to 0.87. Except for the Facial Skin and Mouth domain, iCOO scales had acceptable intraclass correlation coefficients (ICCs) ranging from 0.76 to 0.84. The internal consistency of the Global Impression items across all domains was 0.90 and had acceptable ICCs (range 0.76-0.91). Sixteen out of 20 (nonscale) items had acceptable ICCs (range 0.66-0.96). As anticipated, iCOO scores 2 days postoperatively were generally lower than baseline and scores 2 months postsurgery were consistent with baseline or higher. The iCOO took approximately 10 min to complete. Conclusions The iCOO meets measurement standards and may be used for assessing the impact of cleft-related treatments in clinical research and care. More research is needed on its use in various treatment contexts.


2019 ◽  
Vol 2019 ◽  
pp. 1-7 ◽  
Author(s):  
Jingyuan Yang ◽  
Mingzhen Yuan ◽  
Erqian Wang ◽  
Youxin Chen

The aim of this study was to compare the repeatability of optical coherence tomography angiography (OCT-A) measurements of macular vessel density using four OCT-A systems, including Heidelberg Spectralis HRA, Optovue RTVue XR, Zeiss Cirrus HD-OCT 5000, and Topcon DRI OCT Triton. A cross-sectional design was used for this study. The vascular density and vascular length density of the superficial and deep retinal capillary plexuses were imaged with OCT-A using 3 mm and 6 mm scan patterns and were calculated using ImageJ. Comparisons of intraclass correlation coefficients (ICC) were conducted. We found that the OCT-A systems had various levels of repeatability. Zeiss had better repeatability for vessel density than the other systems (overall ICC = 0.936). Optovue had better repeatability for vessel length density when the 6 mm scan pattern was used (ICC = 0.680 and 0.700 for retinal superficial and deep capillary plexus, respectively). We concluded that repeatability varied when different scan patterns of various OCT-A systems were used for imaging the superficial retinal and deep capillary plexuses. Results should be seen as valid only for a given method. The repeatability of various OCT-A systems should be considered in clinical practice and in clinical trials that use OCT-A metrics as outcome measures.


BMJ Open ◽  
2019 ◽  
Vol 9 (Suppl 3) ◽  
pp. 44-52 ◽  
Author(s):  
Julian Dascalu ◽  
Mengjiao Liu ◽  
Kate Lycett ◽  
Anneke C Grobler ◽  
Mingguang He ◽  
...  

ObjectivesTo describe distributions and concordance of retinal microvasculature measurements in a population-based sample of Australian parent–child dyads at child age 11–12 years.DesignCross-sectional Child Health CheckPoint study, between waves 6 and 7 of the national population-based Longitudinal Study of Australian Children (LSAC).SettingAssessment centres in seven Australian cities, February 2015–March 2016.ParticipantsOf the 1874 participating families, 1288 children (51% girls) and 1264 parents (87% mothers, mean age 43.7) were analysed. Diabetic participants and non-biological pairs were excluded from concordance analyses.Outcome measuresRetinal photographs were taken by non-mydriatic fundus camera. Trained graders scored vascular calibre using semi-automated software, yielding estimates of central retinal arteriolar equivalent (CRAE) and central retinal venular equivalent (CRVE) and arteriolar–venular ratio (AVR). Pearson’s correlation coefficients and multivariable linear regression models assessed parent–child concordance. Survey weights and methods accounted for LSAC’s complex sampling, stratification and clustering within postcodes.ResultsMean (SD) of CRAE and CRVE were larger in children (159.5 (11.8) and 231.1 (16.5) μm, respectively) than parents (151.5 (14.0) and 220.6 (19.0) μm), yielding similar AVR (children 0.69 (0.05), parents 0.69 (0.06)). Correlation coefficients for parent–child pairs were 0.22 (95% CI 0.16 to 0.27) for CRAE, 0.23 (95% CI 0.17 to 0.28) for CRVE and 0.18 (95% CI 0.13 to 0.24) for AVR. Mother–child and father–child values were similar (0.20 and 0.32 for CRAE, 0.22 and 0.29 for CRVE, respectively). Relationships attenuated slightly on adjustment for age, sex, blood pressure, diabetes and body mass index. Percentiles and concordance are presented for the whole sample and by sex.ConclusionsArteriolar and venular calibre were similar to previously documented measures in midlife adult and late childhood populations. Population parent–child concordance values align with moderate polygenic heritability reported in smaller studies.


Sign in / Sign up

Export Citation Format

Share Document