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At least 19 recordsLinked to original sources
PubMed1992

Canadian heart health surveys: a profile of cardiovascular risk. Survey methods and data analysis. Canadian Heart Health Surveys Research Group.

OBJECTIVE: To describe the methods used in nine provincial surveys carried out as part of the Canadian Heart Health Initiative. DESIGN: Population-based cross-sectional surveys, following a core standardized protocol, implemented by provincial departments of health in collaboration with Health and Welfare Canada. Data were obtained through a home interview and a clinic visit. A standard manual of field operations and standardized training procedures were used in all provinces. SETTING: Nine Canadian provinces during the period 1986 to 1990. PARTICIPANTS: A probability sample of 26,293 men and women aged 18 to 74 years was selected from the health insurance registries in each province. Over 30% of the participants had post-secondary education. About 50% were 18 to 34 years old. OUTCOME MEASURES: Data on sociodemographic characteristics, hypertensive and diabetic status, knowledge and awareness of the causes and consequences of cardiovascular disease and two blood pressure measurements were obtained in a home interview. During a clinic visit, data were collected on height, weight (waist and hip circumferences in four provinces), two blood pressure measures and a blood sample. Total plasma cholesterol, triglycerides and high- and low-density lipoprotein cholesterol were measured in the Lipid Research Laboratory, University of Toronto and St. Michael's Hospital. MAIN RESULTS: Of the subjects invited to participate in the survey, 78% were interviewed, 69% attended the clinic and 64% provided a fasting specimen (8 hours or more). The response rates were slightly lower for men aged 18 to 34, for women aged 65 to 74 and for those with fewer years of education. Data from the provincial surveys (Ontario will complete the survey in 1992) are being compiled in the Canadian Heart Health Database. CONCLUSION: The process followed in the implementation of the provincial heart health surveys is a model of how provincial departments of health may carry out epidemiologic investigations in support of their mandate. The approach illustrates how a country-wide database can be built through partnerships among different levels of government. The use of community health nurses was instrumental in the efficient implementation of the surveys and in the realization of the relatively high rates of response attained.

Adult↗
PubMed1991

[Frequency of medical consultation as reflected in 2 representative surveys: DHP-Survey and EVaS-Study (German Cardiovascular Disease Prevention and Survey of Ambulatory Care)].

The frequency of patient-doctor contacts in outpatient care is determined via two representative inquiries supplying complementary perspectives. They concern, on the one hand, a sample of contacts in the consultation room, and, on the other hand, contacts as stated in a population-based survey. In the 25-69 years age bracket, both surveys yielded a contact incidence of 2 to more than 5 contacts per person and quarter of a year. The figure is higher in women than in men. Both surveys agree very well if the consultation-room survey is limited to personal contacts between the doctor and the patient. The distribution of contacts over specialties is similar in both surveys. Compared to other countries, the frequency of outpatient consultations is high in the Federal Republic of Germany. Periodic surveys help to get insight into frequency and structure of medical services.

Adult↗
PubMed1992

Estimates from two survey designs: national hospital discharge survey.

The methodology for the National Hospital Discharge Survey (NHDS) has been revised in several ways. These revisions, which were implemented for the 1988 NHDS, included adoption of a different hospital sampling frame, changes in the sampling design (in particular the implementation of a three-stage design), increased use of data purchased from abstracting service organizations, and adjustments to the estimation procedures used to derive the national estimates. To investigate the effects of these revisions on the estimates of hospital use from the NHDS, data were collected from January through March of 1988 using both the old and the new survey methods. This study compared estimates based on the old and the new survey methods for a variety of hospital and patient characteristics. Although few estimates were identical across survey methodologies, most of the variations could be attributed to sampling error. Estimates from two different samples of the same population would be expected to vary by chance even if precisely the same methods were used to collect and process the data. Because probability samples were used for the old and new survey methodologies, sampling error could be measured. Approximate relative standard errors were calculated for the estimates using the old and new survey methods. Taking these errors into account, less than 10 percent of the estimates were found to differ across survey methodologies at the 0.05 level of significance. Because a large number of comparisons were made, 5 percent of the estimates could have been found to be significantly different by chance alone. When there were statistically significant differences in nonmedical data, the new methods appeared to produce more accurate estimates than the old methods did. Race was more likely to be reported using the new methods. "New" estimates for hospitals in the West Region and government-owned hospitals were more similar than the corresponding "old" estimates to data from the census of hospitals conducted by the American Hospital Association. The numerous significant differences in estimates for bed size categories between the two survey methodologies reflected the change in the universe and definition of beds for the new survey. Few statistically significant differences were found in the medical data using the old and the new survey methods. Two main differences, in estimates for cataract and alcohol dependence syndrome, may have resulted from problems with the new survey. A measurement error, reporting outpatients to the NHDS, is one possible explanation of the higher estimates for diagnosis of cataract using the new survey methods.(ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 400 WORDS)

Bias↗
PubMed2026

Harnessing survey data across multiple demographic groups in Illinois to assess survey questions and reveal insights about ticks and tick-borne disease risk: a meta-comparison study.

BACKGROUND: Ticks and tick-borne diseases (TTBDs) are major public and veterinary health issues, existing at the intersection of behavioral, environmental, ecological, climatic, and entomological factors. Knowledge, attitudes, and practices (KAP) surveys have become an insightful tool to yield information regarding the behavioral factors that can predispose individuals to TTBDs. Here we present a unique meta-comparison study of six KAP surveys on TTBDs conducted in Illinois among various demographics: farmers, Extension workers, general public, veterinary, human medicine, and public health professionals. Our goals were multi-fold: (a) to develop an approach to compare KAP surveys used across several stakeholders on a subject of public health concern (i.e., TTBD risk), (b) to analyze the usefulness of questions for revealing information on TTBDs across varied demographic groups in Illinois, and (c) to reveal qualitative insights from the open text survey responses across these surveyed groups. METHODS: We conducted comparative and item response theory (IRT) analysis of all the surveyed questions, which yielded a final set of 39 questions on knowledge and practices, most of them with discriminatory power. Independent textual analysis of the survey responses led to the development of eight separate sub-categories across three main super categories: ticks and tick-borne disease (TBD) risk, TBD treatment and management, and TBD prevention. RESULTS: This study not only introduces a novel approach for comparing multiple KAP surveys on the topic of TTBDs, but also highlights gaps regarding TTBD knowledge, perceptions, and prevention measures among a variety of stakeholders and calls for tailored training and awareness campaigns to reduce the burden of TBDs in the Midwestern US. This meta-comparison approach unveils additional insights from the combined analyses of the KAP surveys. We also discuss perspectives of the surveyed demographics, their experiences with TTBDs, and provide recommendations for future public health efforts. CONCLUSION: These results can guide public health campaigns around TBDs in the United States and help reduce the increasing burden of TBDs on humans and animals.

Animals↗
PubMed1979

Tuberculosis in Kenya: follow-up of the second (1974) national sampling survey and a comparison with the follow-up data from the first (1964) national sampling survey. An East African and British Medical Research Council co-operative investigation.

A total of 1,490 newly diagnosed patients admitted to a national sampling survey of tuberculosis conducted in 11 of 30 districts in Kenya in 1974 have been followed up after a year under the routine tuberculosis treatment services. The results are reported and compared with those observed in the follow-up of a similar survey in the same districts 10 years previously. The main follow-up concerns 1,351 patients with pulmonary tuberculosis of whom 803 had a positive culture at the start of treatment, 283 a negative culture, and 265 had no specimen examined. At 1 year or later, 57% of the 1,351 patients were culture negative, 8% were culture positive, 16% had died in the year of follow-up, 5% were permanently lost from observation and 14%, although known to be alive, had no bacteriological results. Of the 803 patients with a positive culture initially, 11% had a positive culture at 1 year or later, as had 3% of the 283 with a negative culture initially. The policies of therapy practised in the routine treatment services were studied in 1,207 patients; 95% were admitted to hospital at the start of chemotherapy for an average duration of 39 days, 95% were prescribed isoniazid and thiacetazone supplemented initially by a course of streptomycin, the average duration of which was 36 days. There was little variation in the policies applied in different district. Only 24% of the patients received or attended to collect a 12 months' supply of chemotherapy and 72% a 6 months' supply. The therapeutic results achieved in 1974 compare favourably with those observed in the 1964 survey. The estimated culture negativity rate at 1 year or later for the patients who had bacteriologically confirmed disease initially was 63% in the earlier survey and 71% in the 1974 survey. The proportion of patients lost from observation was 9% in 1964 and 5% in 1974. The policies of therapy were much more standardised in the second survey. In 1964 hospital admission, its duration and the usage of streptomycin varied considerably from district to district, but in the second survey nearly all of the patients were admitted to hospital and received the nationally recommended regimen of isoniazid and thiacetazone supplemented initially by streptomycin. Even so, the duration of chemotherapy received did not improve, only 28% in 1964 and 24% in 1974 receiving a 12 months' and 74% in 1964 and 72% in 1974 receiving a 6 months' supply. The transfer of patients from one district to another was more often successful in 1974 than 1964.

Adolescent↗
PubMed1992

Analysis of sexual behaviour in France (ACSF). A comparison between two modes of investigation: telephone survey and face-to-face survey. ASCF principal investigators and their associates.

OBJECTIVE: To determine the methodology to be used in a national survey on sexual behaviour in France. DESIGN: To compare two modes of investigation: telephone and face-to-face surveys. METHODS: A questionnaire lasting between 15 and 60 min was administered to 800 people, one-half of whom were interviewed by telephone and the other half face-to-face. RESULTS: We found that questions were more easily answered and answers more coherent in the telephone survey. A face-to-face survey, in contrast, generates a greater diversity in answers and reduces the tendency to give answers relating to behaviours or attitudes that are socially desirable. Results also showed that the acceptation rates were similar in both surveys (66 versus 67%). CONCLUSIONS: Each method has its own advantages and disadvantages; it is therefore difficult to choose one survey method over the other.

Acquired Immunodeficiency Syndrome↗
PubMed1991

A comparison of breast-feeding data from the National Surveys of Family Growth and the Ross Laboratories Mothers Surveys.

This study compares rates of breast feeding reported in the National Surveys of Family Growth with those from the Ross Laboratories Mothers Surveys. Both surveys have documented rates of breast feeding over the last 30 or more years. Despite differences in survey methodology, both surveys document similar long-term trends in breast feeding. The similarities of rates in breast feeding also are evident across several maternal sociodemographic characteristics. We conclude that both surveys produce reliable and useful estimates of breast feeding.

Adult↗
PubMed1992

In vitro fertilization culture medium surveys. A College of American Pathologists pilot proficiency testing survey.

Two pilot surveys for in vitro fertilization culture medium were conducted by the Reproductive Biology Resource Committee of the College of American Pathologists. The first phase (February 1991) involved seven laboratories, all of them being members of the committee, while the second phase (April 1991) also included other laboratories that voluntarily participated in the survey. Questionnaires accompanied the media and included variables such as conditions of shipment and measurements of pH and osmolarity, along with quality control results obtained from mouse embryo culture studies. Of the two medium samples per shipment, one was adulterated with an embryotoxic substance. The results of these surveys revealed consistency in most laboratories, while some laboratories could be easily identified due to their out-of-range results. These surveys have described the first attempts to develop an intralaboratory testing system for clinical in vitro fertilization laboratories. Further studies will be required to achieve greater consistency among laboratories with respect to implementation of the survey and reporting of results. Additionally, other systems should be evaluated, particularly for those laboratories that use systems other than mouse embryo culture.

Animals↗
PubMed1975

Survey of incapacity associated with mental handicap at Rampton and Moss Side Special Hospitals: a comparison with the 1970 National Survey.

The results of a survey carried out at Rampton and Moss Side Special Hospitals into physical and behavioural incapacity associated with mental handicap are described and compared with the findings of the 1970 National Survey. The Special Hospital patients were found to be less mentally handicapped than similar patients in subnormality hospitals in the National Health Service. The prevalence of physical incapacity associated with mental handicap was also lower in the Special Hospitals but the Special Hospital patients were assessed as more behaviourally disordered. In both surveys the incapacities present were concentrated in the severely mentally handicapped patients. In the Special Hospitals survey the women, when compared with the men, were found to be more behaviourally disordered and to suffer from a greater degree of multiple severe incapacity. All the differences found between the two surveys are consistent with the statutory criteria for admission to a Special Hospital.

Activities of Daily Living↗
PubMed1978

Use of survey-validated reference materials (survey serum) to establish target values of quality control pools.

Specimens used in the College of American Pathologists Survey Programs are sometimes manufactured in excess of Survey needs, and these excess specimens are made available to Survey participants after a survey is completed. These survey-validated reference materials (SVRM's) are a valuable resource to the clinical laboratory field. SVRM's are continually renewed, have a range of analyte concentrations, have reliable target values assigned for more than 20 analytes, and for all methods that are in common use. The materials are useful for assigning appropriate target values to other serum materials used by laboratories, for investigating the accuracy of a laboratory's analytic procedures, and as trouble-shooting aids. The wide availability of SVRM's offers a new opportunity for improving the analytic reliability of quantitative clinical assays.

Blood↗
PubMed1991

Investigating non-response bias in a survey of disablement in the community: implications for survey methodology.

STUDY OBJECTIVE: The aim was to investigate the pattern of age specific non-response bias in a two phase survey of disablement in the community. It seeks to examine patterns of response in different age groups to a household based postal questionnaire, and the implication of such trends for the estimation of prevalence of reported dependence. It also looks at the effect that the readiness to respond during the first phase postal questionnaire had on participation in the interview based second phase of the study. DESIGN AND SETTING: A two stage survey of disablement in the population was undertaken. A first phase postal questionnaire was sent to 25,168 households in Calderdale, West Yorkshire, England, to ascertain the prevalence of physical disability. The second phase comprised in depth interviews with a sample of individuals identified in the first phase as being disabled. RESPONDENTS: A total of 21,889 postal questionnaires were returned (87%) representing households containing 42,826 people aged 16 years and over. A disproportionately stratified random sample of 950 respondents reporting disability was taken for the second phase. Of these 891 were still available, and 838 (94%) were interviewed. MEASUREMENTS AND MAIN RESULTS: A study of the timing of response to a postal questionnaire showed that patterns differed for different age groups. The estimated prevalence of those aged 65 years and over who were dependent was steady over time whereas for those in the 16-64 age range the estimated prevalence fell as the survey progressed, indicating a tendency for those who were dependent to respond sooner. Examination of the relationship of responses at phase 1 and phase 2 showed that response to invitation to interview was much less in those who had responded later, and presumably more reluctantly, in the first phase. CONCLUSIONS: These findings raise questions about how different patterns of response might be indicative of bias which could differentially affect final age specific prevalence estimates. They also have methodological implications for the follow up of reluctant responders both to increase the response rate and to secure cooperation in the second phase of a two phase survey.

Age Factors↗
PubMed1992

The Behavioral Risk Factor Survey and the Stanford Five-City Project Survey: a comparison of cardiovascular risk behavior estimates.

BACKGROUND: Nearly all state health departments collect Behavioral Risk Factor Survey (BRFS) data, and many report using these data in public health planning. Although the BRFS is widely used, little is known about its measurement properties. This study compares the cardiovascular risk behavior estimates of the BRFS with estimates derived from the physiological and interview data of the Stanford Five-City Project Survey (FCPS). METHOD: The BRFS is a random telephone sample of 1588 adults aged 25 to 64; the FCPS is a random household sample of 1512 adults aged 25 to 64. Both samples were drawn from the same four California communities. RESULTS: The surveys produced comparable estimates for measures of current smoking, number of cigarettes smoked per day, rate of ever being told one has high blood pressure, rate of prescription of blood pressure medications, compliance in taking medications, and mean total cholesterol. Significant differences were found for mean body mass index, rates of obesity, and, in particular, rate of controlled hypertension. CONCLUSIONS: These differences indicate that, for some risk variables, the BRFS has limited utility in assessing public health needs and setting public health objectives. A formal validation study is needed to test all the risk behavior estimates measured by this widely used instrument.

Adult↗