Comparison of estimates for the self-reported chronic conditions among household survey and telephone survey--Campinas (SP), Brazil

Association between positive serology for COVID-19 and chagas cardiomyopathy progression: The SaMi-Trop project

BACKGROUND

Chagas Disease (CD) can cause Chagas cardiomyopathy. The new coronavirus disease (COVID-19) also affects the cardiovascular system and may worsen Chagas cardiomyopathy. However, the cardiac evolution of patients with CD infected by COVID-19 is not known. Thus, the objective of this study is to assess, within one year, whether there was cardiac progression after COVID-19 in CD.

METHODS

Longitudinal study with CD patients. The outcome was cardiac progression, defined as the appearance of new major changes in the current ECG compared to the previous ECG considered from the comparison of electrocardiograms (ECGs) performed with an interval of one year. Positive Anti-SARS-CoV2 Serology was the independent variable of interest. For each analysis, a final multiple model was constructed, adjusted for sociodemographic, clinical, and pandemic-related characteristics.

RESULTS

Of the 404 individuals included, 22.8 % had positive serology for COVID-19 and 10.9 % had cardiac progression. In the final model, positive serology for COVID-19 was the only factor associated with cardiac progression in the group as a whole (OR = 2.65; 95 % CI = 1.27-5.53) and for new-onset cardiomyopathy in the group with normal previous ECG (OR = 3.50; 95 % CI = 1.21-10.13).

CONCLUSION

Our study shows an association between COVID-19 and progression of Chagas cardiomyopathy, evaluated by repeated ECGs, suggesting that COVID-19 accelerated the natural history of CD.

Chronic disease risk and protective behaviors in Brazilian state capitals and the Federal District, according to the National Health Survey and the Chronic Disease Risk and Protective Factors Telephone Survey Surveillance System, 2019

OBJECTIVE

To describe and compare the results of the main risk and protective factors for chronic non-communicable diseases, in the 26 Brazilian capitals and the Federal District, obtained through the National Health Survey (PNS) and the Surveillance System for Risk and Protective Factors for Chronic Diseases by Telephone Survey (VIGITEL) in 2019.

METHODS

Cross-sectional study, in which the difference in prevalence between health behavior indicators investigated by PNS and VIGITEL was calculated.

RESULTS

The largest discrepancy between the surveys, PNS (n = 32,111) and VIGITEL (n = 52,443), were observed in relation to leisure-time physical activity (6.8 in percentage points - p.p.), recommended physical activity in the transport domain (7.4 p.p.), and high screen time (21.8 p.p.). Both surveys presented similar prevalence regarding nutritional status, food consumption, smoking, alcohol abuse and negative self-rated health.

CONCLUSION

Prevalence in both surveys presented small differences, but point to results in the same direction.

Contextual influence on poor self-rated health in patients with Chagas disease: multilevel study

Chagas disease (CD) is recognized by the World Health Organization as one of the thirteen most neglected tropical diseases in the world. Self-perceived health is considered a better predictor of mortality than objective measures of health status, and the context in which one lives influences this predictor. This study aimed to evaluate the prevalence and individual and contextual factors associated with poor self-rated health among CD patients from an endemic region in Brazil. It is a multilevel cross-sectional study. The individual data come from a cross-section of a cohort study named SaMi-Trop. Contextual data was collected from publicly accessible institutional information systems and platforms. The dependent variable was self-perceived health. The analysis was performed using multilevel binary logistic regression. The study included 1,513 patients with CD, where 335 (22.1%) had Poor self-rated health. This study revealed the influence of the organization/offer of the Brazilian public health service and of individual characteristics on the self-perceived health of patients with CD.

Two-year death prediction models among patients with Chagas Disease using machine learning-based methods

Chagas disease (CD) is recognized by the World Health Organization as one of the thirteen most neglected tropical diseases. More than 80% of people affected by CD will not have access to diagnosis and continued treatment, which partly supports the high morbidity and mortality rate. Machine Learning (ML) can identify patterns in data that can be used to increase our understanding of a specific problem or make predictions about the future. Thus, the aim of this study was to evaluate different models of ML to predict death in two years of patients with CD. ML models were developed using different techniques and configurations. The techniques used were: Random Forests, Adaptive Boosting, Decision Tree, Support Vector Machine, and Artificial Neural Networks. The adopted settings considered only interview variables, only complementary exam variables, and finally, both mixed. Data from a cohort study with CD patients called SaMi-Trop were analyzed. The predictor variables came from the baseline; and the outcome, which was death, came from the first follow-up. All models were evaluated in terms of Sensitivity, Specificity and G-mean. Among the 1694 individuals with CD considered, 134 (7.9%) died within two years of follow-up. Using only the predictor variables from the interview, the different techniques achieved a maximum G-mean of 0.64 in predicting death. Using only the variables from complementary exams, the G-mean was up to 0.77. In this configuration, the protagonism of NT-proBNP was evident, where it was possible to observe that an ML model using only this single variable reached G-mean of 0.76. The configuration that mixed interview variables and complementary exams achieved G-mean of 0.75. ML can be used as a useful tool with the potential to contribute to the management of patients with CD, by identifying patients with the highest probability of death. Trial Registration: This trial is registered with ClinicalTrials.gov, Trial ID: NCT02646943.

Assessing the reliability of phone surveys to measure reproductive, maternal and child health knowledge among pregnant women in rural India: a feasibility study

OBJECTIVES

Efforts to understand the factors influencing the uptake of reproductive, maternal, newborn, child health and nutrition (RMNCH&N) services in high disease burden low-resource settings have often focused on face-to-face surveys or direct observations of service delivery. Increasing access to mobile phones has led to growing interest in phone surveys as a rapid, low-cost alternatives to face-to-face surveys. We assess determinants of RMNCH&N knowledge among pregnant women with access to phones and examine the reliability of alternative modalities of survey delivery.

PARTICIPANTS

Women 5-7 months pregnant with access to a phone.

SETTING

Four districts of Madhya Pradesh, India.

DESIGN

Cross-sectional surveys administered face-to-face and within 2 weeks, the same surveys were repeated among two random subsamples of the original sample: face-to-face (n=205) and caller-attended telephone interviews (n=375). Bivariate analyses, multivariable linear regression, and prevalence and bias-adjusted kappa scores are presented.

RESULTS

Knowledge scores were low across domains: 52% for maternal nutrition and pregnancy danger signs, 58% for family planning, 47% for essential newborn care, 56% infant and young child feeding, and 58% for infant and young child care. Higher knowledge (≥1 composite score) was associated with older age; higher levels of education and literacy; living in a nuclear family; primary health decision-making; greater attendance in antenatal care and satisfaction with accredited social health activist services. Survey questions had low inter-rater and intermodal reliability (kappa<0.70) with a few exceptions. Questions with the lowest reliability included true/false questions and those with unprompted, multiple response options. Reliability may have been hampered by the sensitivity of the content, lack of privacy, enumerators' and respondents' profile differences, rapport, social desirability bias, and/or enumerator's ability to adequately convey concepts or probe.

CONCLUSIONS

Phone surveys are a reliable modality for generating population-level estimates data about pregnant women's knowledge, however, should not be used for individual-level tracking.

TRIAL REGISTRATION NUMBER

NCT03576157.

Prevalência de consumo de alimentos ultraprocessados, álcool, tabaco e doenças crônicas não transmissíveis em Rio Branco, Acre, 2019: análise comparativa de dois inquéritos epidemiológicos

Resumo Objetivo Descrever, comparativamente, as prevalências de doenças crônicas não transmissíveis, consumo de alimentos ultraprocessados, álcool e tabaco, estimadas pelo Sistema de Vigilância de Fatores de Risco e Proteção para Doenças Crônicas por Inquérito Telefônico (Vigitel) e pela Pesquisa Nacional de Saúde (PNS), em Rio Branco, Acre, Brasil. Métodos Estudo transversal, sobre dados sociodemográficos, de saúde e estilo de vida de inquéritos realizados em 2019. Foram descritas as prevalências e intervalos de confiança de 95% (IC95%), e calculadas as diferenças percentuais. Resultados Dos 3.037 indivíduos avaliados, observaram-se prevalências similares com diferença para pessoas de raça/cor da pele parda, entre Vigitel (60,3%; IC95% 56,2;64,3) e PNS (70,8%; IC95% 67,4;73,9). Na estratificação por sexo, diferenças percentuais entre os inquéritos foram observadas para obesidade (masculino= 6,5%; feminino= 0,4%), tabagismo (masculino= 4,0%; feminino= -1,5%) e consumo abusivo de álcool (masculino= 6,9%; feminino= -2,5%), embora com IC95% sobrepostos. Conclusão As estimativas avaliadas em ambos os inquéritos foram similares.

Influenza and pneumococcal vaccination coverage in Latin American patients with systemic lupus erythematosus: a cross-sectional and comparative study

BACKGROUND

Infections are a major cause of morbidity and mortality in systemic lupus (SLE). Vaccination would be an effective method to reduce infection rate. Coverage for influenza and pneumococcus appears to be low in Latin America. The objective of this study was to evaluate vaccination coverage for influenza and pneumococcus in Latin America, causes of non-vaccination and to compare it with European patients.

METHODS

A survey was conducted through social networks targeting Latin American lupus patients. A self-report was used to assess the demographics, risk factors for pneumonia, vaccination status, and causes of non-vaccination. The same method was used for European patients. We used binary logistic regression to identify factors associated with pneumococcal and influenza vaccination.

RESULTS

There were 1130 participants from Latin America. Among them, 97% were women with an average of 37.9 years (SD: 11.3) and 46.5% had more than 7 years of disease duration. Two or more risk factors for pneumonia were found in 64.9%. Coverage for influenza and pneumococcal was 42.7 and 25% respectively, being lower than in Europe. Tetanus coverage was the most important predictor for receiving influenza and pneumococcal vaccination. Lack of prescription was the most common cause of non-application (64.6%).

CONCLUSIONS

Vaccination coverage for influenza and pneumonia is low in Latin America, especially compared to Europe. It is necessary to make specialists aware of their role in vaccine control and to implement measures to improve coordination between them and general practitioners.

Prevalence of constipation in adults with obesity class II and III and associated factors

BACKGROUND

Constipation and obesity have common risk factors. However, little is known about the occurrence of constipation in individuals with severe obesity and the associated factors.

OBJECTIVE

To evaluate the prevalence of intestinal constipation and its associated factors in adults with obesity class II and III.

METHOD

This study analyzed baseline data from a randomized clinical trial with adults aged 18-64 with a Body Mass Index (BMI) ≥ 35 kg/m2, living in the metropolitan region of Goiânia, Brazil. Data were collected using a questionnaire containing sociodemographic, lifestyle, level of obesity, presence of comorbidities, water intake and food consumption variables. The outcome variable was constipation assessed by the Rome III criteria and the Bristol Stool Form Scale. Multiple Poisson regression analysis was used to assess the association between explanatory variables and the outcome.

RESULTS

Among the 150 participants, the prevalence of constipation was 24.67% (95% CI: 17.69-31.64). After multiple regression analyses constipation was associated with polypharmacy (adjusted PR: 2.99, 95% CI: 1.18-7.57, p = 0.021), younger age group i.e. 18-29 years (adjusted PR: 3.12, 95% CI: 1.21-8.06, p = 0.019) and former smoking (adjusted PR: 3.24, 95% CI: 1.28-9.14, p = 0.014). There was no statistically significant association between constipation and daily consumption of fiber-rich foods, however, the non-consumption of whole grains was borderline significant (adjusted PR: 2.92, 95% CI: 1.00 to 8.49, p = 0.050).

CONCLUSION

A high prevalence of constipation was found in adults with obesity class II and III. Constipation was significantly associated with the simultaneous use of five or more medications, younger age group and being a former smoker.

Novel approaches to measuring knowledge among frontline health workers in India: Are phone surveys a reliable option?

Background

In 2017, India was home to nearly 20% of maternal and child deaths occurring globally. Accredited social health activists (ASHAs) act as the frontline for health services delivery in India, providing a range of reproductive, maternal, newborn, child health, and nutrition (RMNCH&N) services. Empirical evidence on ASHAs’ knowledge is limited, yet is a critical determinant of the quality of health services provided. We assessed the determinants of RMNCH&N knowledge among ASHAs and examined the reliability of alternative modalities of survey delivery, including face-to-face and caller attended telephone interviews (phone surveys) in 4 districts of Madhya Pradesh, India.

Methods

We carried out face-to-face surveys among a random cross-sectional sample of ASHAs (n = 1,552), and administered a follow-up test-retest survey within 2 weeks of the initial survey to a subsample of ASHAs (n = 173). We interviewed a separate sub-sample of ASHAs 2 weeks of the face-to-face interview over the phone (n = 155). Analyses included bivariate analyses, multivariable linear regression, and prevalence and bias adjusted kappa analyses.

Findings

The average ASHA knowledge score was 64% and ranged across sub-domains from 71% for essential newborn care, 71% for WASH/ diarrhea, 64% for infant feeding, 61% for family planning, and 60% for maternal health. Leading determinants of knowledge included geographic location, age <30 years of age, education, experience as an ASHA, completion of seven or more client visits weekly, phone ownership and use as a communication tool for work, as well as the ability to navigate interactive voice response prompts (a measure of digital literacy). Efforts to develop a phone survey tool for measuring knowledge suggest that findings on inter-rater and inter-modal reliability were similar. Reliability was higher for shorter, widely known questions, including those about timing of exclusive breastfeeding or number of tetanus shots during pregnancy. Questions with lower reliability included those on sensitive topics such as family planning; questions with multiple response options; or which were difficult for the enumerator to convey.

Conclusions

Overall results highlight important gaps in the knowledge of ASHAs. Findings on the reliability of phone surveys led to the development of a tool, which can be widely used for the routine, low cost measurement of ASHA RMNCH&N knowledge in India.

Impact of the social context on the prognosis of Chagas disease patients: Multilevel analysis of a Brazilian cohort

The present study aims to investigate how the social context contributes to the prognosis of Chagas disease (CD). This is a multilevel study that considered individual and contextual data. Individual data came from a Brazilian cohort study that followed 1,637 patients who lived in 21 municipalities to which CD is endemic, over two years. Contextual data were collected from official Brazilian government databases. The dependent variable was the occurrence of cardiovascular events in CD during the two-year follow-up, defined from the grouping of three possible combined events: death, development of atrial fibrillation, or pacemaker implantation. Analysis was performed using multilevel binary logistic regression. Among the individuals evaluated, 205 (12.5%) manifested cardiovascular events in CD during two years of follow-up. Individuals living in municipalities with a larger rural population had protection for these events (OR = 0.5; 95% CI = 0.4-0.7), while those residing in municipalities with fewer physicians per thousand inhabitants (OR = 1.6; 95% CI = 1.2-2.5) and those living in municipalities with lower Primary Health Care (PHC) coverage (OR = 1.4; 95% CI = 1.1-2.1) had higher chances of experiencing cardiovascular events. Among the individual variables, the probability of experiencing cardiovascular events was higher for individuals aged over 60 years (OR = 1.4; 95% CI = 1.01-2.2), with no stable relationship (OR = 1.4; 95% CI = 0.98-2.1), without previous treatment with Benznidazole (OR = 1.5; 95% CI = 0.98-2.9), with functional class limitation (OR = 2.0; 95% CI = 1.4-2.9), with a QRS complex duration longer than 120 ms (OR = 1.5; 95% CI = 1.1-2.3), and in individuals with high NT-proBNP levels (OR = 6.4; 95% CI = 4.3-9.6). CONCLUSION: The present study showed that the occurrence of cardiovascular events in individuals with CD is determined by individual conditions that express the severity of cardiovascular involvement. However, these individual characteristics are not isolated protagonists of this outcome, and the context in which individuals live, are also determining factors for a worse clinical prognosis.

Comparability of modern contraceptive use estimates between a face-to-face survey and a cellphone survey among women in Burkina Faso

Introduction

The proliferation of cell phone ownership in Sub-Saharan Africa (SSA) presents the opportunity to collect public health indicators at a lower cost compared to face-to-face (FTF) surveys. This analysis assesses the equivalence of modern contraceptive prevalence estimates between a nationally representative FTF survey and a cell phone survey using random digit dialing (RDD) among women of reproductive age in Burkina Faso.

Methods

We analyzed data from two surveys conducted in Burkina Faso between December 2017 and May 2018. The FTF survey conducted by Performance Monitoring and Accountability (PMA2020) comprised a nationally representative sample of 3,556 women of reproductive age (15–49 years). The RDD survey was conducted using computer-assisted telephone interviewing and included 2,379 women of reproductive age.

Results

Compared to FTF respondents, women in the RDD sample were younger, were more likely to have a secondary degree and to speak French. RDD respondents were more likely to report using modern contraceptive use (40%) compared to FTF respondents (26%) and the difference remained unchanged after applying post-stratification weights to the RDD sample (39%). This difference surpassed the equivalence margin of 4%. The RDD sample also produced higher estimates of contraceptive use than the subsample of women who owned a phone in the FTF sample (32%). After adjusting for women’s sociodemographic factors, the odds of contraceptive use were 1.9 times higher (95% CI: 1.6–2.2) in the RDD survey compared to the FTF survey and 1.6 times higher (95% CI: 1.3–1.8) compared to FTF phone owners.

Conclusions

Modern contraceptive prevalence in Burkina Faso is over-estimated when using a cell phone RDD survey, even after adjusting for a number of sociodemographic factors. Further research should explore causes of differential estimates of modern contraceptive use by survey modes.

Fatores relacionados com uma menor duração total do aleitamento materno

Resumo O objetivo deste artigo é identificar fatores relacionados com uma maior duração do aleitamento materno. Realizou-se um estudo caso-controle aninhado em uma coorte de mães que tiveram seus filhos nas duas maiores maternidades públicas de João Pessoa – PB quando eles tinham em torno de dois anos de idade. Os casos foram aquelas que amamentaram até o 15 mês (n = 55) e os controles as que amamentaram por mais de 15 meses (n = 48). As variáveis de exposição foram características socioeconômicas maternas, da gestação e parto e a introdução precoce de alimentação complementar. Aplicou-se o teste Qui-Quadrado para selecionar as variáveis independentes (p-valor <= 0,20) para ingressar em um modelo de regressão logística múltipla, permanecendo no modelo final somente aquelas com p-valor <= 0,05. A introdução precoce de fórmula infantil (OR = 4,71, IC95%: 1,76 – 12,63), de outros leites (OR = 3,25, IC95%: 1,27 – 8,31) e realizar menos de seis consultas pré-natal (OR = 2,73, IC95%: 1,04 – 7,07) foram fatores de risco para a menor duração do aleitamento materno. A introdução precoce de fórmulas infantis ou outros leites pode ser um indicador importante para a adoção de ações de promoção e apoio oportunas para o prolongamento da amamentação para atingir a meta da OMS de aleitamento materno por dois anos ou mais.

Prevalence of cardiovascular risk factors in the population of Vitória according to data from VIGITEL and the National Health Interview Survey of 2013

OBJECTIVE

To compare the prevalence of cardiovascular risk factors in the adult population of Vitória, Espírito Santo, Brazil, in two surveys conducted by telephone interview (VIGITEL) or by clinic and laboratory exams during the National Health Interview Survey (NHIS).

METHOD

Data were collected from adults (≥ 18 years). In VIGITEL, 1,996 subjects (males = 38%) were interviewed. In NHIS, home visit followed by clinical and laboratory tests was made with 318 individuals (males = 48%) selected in 20 census tracts of the city. The prevalence of risk factors was adjusted to the estimated population of the city in 2013. Data are shown as prevalence and 95% confidence interval (95%CI).

RESULTS

Similar values of prevalence were found in VIGITEL and NHIS, respectively, for smoking (8.2%; 95%CI 6.7-9.7% vs 10.0; 95%CI 6.4 - 13.6%) and hypertension (24.8%; 95%CI 22.6 - 27.0% vs 27.2%; 95%CI 21.8 - 32.5%). Statistical differences between surveys (p < 0.01) were found for diabetes (6.7%; 95%CI 5.6 - 7.9% vs 10.7%; 95%CI 7.1 - 14.5%), obesity (16.8%; 95%CI 14.1 - 18.1% vs 25.7%; 95%CI 20.4 - 30.9%) and high cholesterol (≥ 200mg/dL) (20.6%; 95%CI 18.6- 22.6% vs 42.3%; 95%CI 36.9 - 47.7%). The prevalence of diabetes was also higher (p < 0.01) in NHIS (6.7 vs 10.7%).

CONCLUSION

Prevalence of smoking and hypertension, but not obesity, was adequately detected in VIGITEL, because there might have been information bias related to body weight during telephone interviews. Datashow the necessity to improve the diagnosis of dyslipidemias in primary care services, as the control of this risk factor is of utmost importance to prevent cardiovascular diseases.

The variation of the burden of hypertension and diabetes in two large districts of the city of São Paulo, Brazil, based on primary health care routinely-collected data

BACKGROUND

Noncommunicable diseases (NCDs) were responsible for 72.3% of global deaths in 2016, with cardiovascular diseases accounting for almost half of those deaths and low- and middle-income countries carrying the biggest burden. As a result, the prevention and control of NCDs is recognized as urgent, while better surveillance at the country level could result in more effective policies. Hence, the objective of this study was to obtain more detailed information on the distribution of the prevalence of hypertension and diabetes among the population of two large districts of the city of São Paulo in Brazil, and to compare these findings to the results of a citywide health survey.

METHODS AND FINDINGS

This cross-sectional study used primary health care (PHC) routinely-collected data. The study population included 187,110 individuals 20 years of age or older registered in 13 public PHC facilities at two districts of the city of São Paulo in 2015. Data extracted from SIAB, a primary care database, was used to calculate age and sex directly standardized prevalences for diabetes and hypertension for each PHC facility. The prevalence of hypertension among women was significantly higher than the prevalence among men in the entire study population, and in every PHC facility. There was great variation among PHC facilities that was more pronounced among women. The prevalence of diabetes among women was significantly higher than the prevalence among men in the entire study population, and in every PHC facility, but there was little variation among PHC facilities.

CONCLUSIONS

This study provided information that could help with policy planning and allocation of resources, and demonstrated the use of PHC routinely-collected data to generate important insights that if replicated could have a substantial impact given the broad coverage of the national public PHC program in Brazil.

Prevalência simultânea de hipertensão e diabetes em idosos brasileiros: desigualdades individuais e contextuais

Resumo A prevalência da simultaneidade de doenças específicas nos idosos ainda é pouco descrita na literatura. O objetivo do estudo foi estimar a prevalência simultânea de hipertensão arterial e diabetes mellitus em idosos brasileiros, e os fatores contextuais e individuais a ela associados. Estudo transversal de base populacional com idosos (≥ 60 anos) entrevistados pelo Vigitel em 2012 (n = 10.991). As análises foram realizadas por meio de regressão de Poisson multinível no Stata 12. A média de idade dos idosos foi de 69,4 anos e a prevalência simultânea das doenças foi de 16,2% com variação nas capitais brasileiras. Em São Paulo e Curitiba as prevalências foram mais elevadas do que em Boa Vista e Manaus. Maiores prevalências foram observadas nas capitais das regiões Sul/Sudeste/Centro-Oeste, nos idosos de cor preta e parda, naqueles com escolaridade ≤ 8 anos de estudo, nos não fumantes e ex-fumantes, e com excesso de peso. Verificou-se o efeito da região geográfica na prevalência simultânea pela elevação de 23,5% na magnitude da razão de prevalencia, após ajuste para todas as variáveis individuais. Por meio do estudo, foi possível dimensionar o efeito do contexto onde estão inseridos os idosos (região de residência) sobre a prevalência das principais doenças que acometem e relacionam-se à mortalidade na população idosa na atualidade.

Dental status, oral prosthesis and chewing ability in an adult and elderly population in southern Brazil

OBJECTIVE

The objective of this study was to explore the factors associated with inadequate chewing in an adult and elderly population of a city in the southern region of Brazil.

METHODS

This was a cross-sectional study based on a population home-based inquiry (DCH-POP) in southern Brazil. Individuals were interviewed by trained interviewers to create a standardized procedure. In a pilot study, the Questionnaire of Human Communication Disorders (DCH-POP) was created and validated to identify self-reported speech and language, swallowing and hearing disorders. The outcome was dichotomized into either having adequate chewing or not, as assessed by a series of questions about chewing ability. Analyses of absolute and relative frequencies were measured according to the studied variables. A Poisson regression was applied at a significance level of 5%.

RESULTS

A total of 1,246 people were interviewed. Inadequate chewing was found in 52 (5.6%) individuals, with a higher prevalence in the elderly (11.8%) than in adults (5.2%). In the final model, the following factors were associated with inadequate chewing: being 61 years of age or older (prevalence ratio or PR=9.03; 95% CI: 1.20-67.91), loss of teeth and use of unadjusted prosthesis (PR=3.50; 95% CI: 1.54-7.95), preference for foods of soft consistency (PR=9.34; 95% CI:4.66-8.70) and difficulty in nasal breathing (PR=2.82; 95% CI: 1.31-6.06).

CONCLUSION

Age, oral health status through dental prosthesis, preference for foods of soft consistency and difficulty breathing through the nose were factors associated with chewing inability in adults and the elderly.

Effect of the inclusion of mobile phone interviews to Vigitel

OBJECTIVE

To evaluate the impact on the prevalence changes of risk factors for chronic diseases, published in the Surveillance System of Risk and Protection Factors for Chronic Diseases by Telephone Survey (Vigitel), after the inclusion of data from the population only with mobile phone.

METHODS

Our study used data from the 26 State capitals and Federal District of Brazil obtained by the National Survey on Health (PNS) and Vigitel, both held in 2013. In each capital, we added a subsample of 200 adults living in households with only mobile phones, extracted from PNS, to the Vigitel 2013 database, with approximately 1,900 households, named Vigitel dual frame.

RESULTS

Vigitel results showed absolute relative biases between 0.18% and 14.85%. The system underestimated the frequency of adult smokers (10.77%), whole milk consumption (52.82%), and soft drink consumption (22.22%). Additionally, it overestimated the prevalence of hypertension (25.46%). In the simulations using Vigitel dual frame, with inclusion of the sample of adults living in households with only mobile phones, the bias of estimates was reduced in five out of eight analyzed indicators, with greater effects in regions with lower rates of landline coverage. In comparing regions, we observed negative correlation (ρ = -0.91) between the percentage of indicators with presence of bias and the percentage of households with only mobile phone.

CONCLUSIONS

The results of this study indicate the benefits of including a subsample of 200 adults with only mobile phone on the Vigitel sample, especially in the capitals of the North and Northeast regions.

OBJETIVO

Avaliar o impacto nas mudanças das prevalências de fatores de risco de doenças crônicas, divulgadas no Vigitel, após a inclusão de dados provenientes da população com somente telefone celular.

MÉTODOS

O estudo utilizou os dados das capitais obtidos da Pesquisa Nacional de Saúde e do Vigitel, que foram realizados em 2013. Em cada capital, acrescentou-se uma subamostra de 200 adultos residentes em domicílios com somente celular, extraída da PNS, à base de dados do Vigitel 2013, com aproximadamente 1.900 domicílios, denominado Vigitel cadastro duplo.

RESULTADOS

Os resultados do Vigitel mostraram vícios relativos absolutos entre 0,18% e 14,85%. O sistema subestimou a frequência de adultos fumantes (10,77%), o consumo de leite com teor integral de gordura (52,82%) e o consumo de refrigerante (22,22%). Adicionalmente, superestimou a prevalência de hipertensão (25,46%). Nas simulações utilizando o Vigitel cadastro duplo, com inclusão da amostra de adultos residentes em domicílios com somente celular, o vício das estimativas foi reduzido em cinco de oito indicadores analisados, com maiores efeitos nas regiões com menores taxas de cobertura de telefonia fixa. Na comparação entre as regiões, observa-se correlação negativa (ρ = -0,91) entre o percentual de indicadores com presença de vício e o percentual de cobertura de domicílios com somente celular.

CONCLUSÕES

Os resultados do presente estudo indicam os benefícios da inclusão de uma subamostra de 200 adultos com somente celular na amostra do Vigitel, especialmente nas capitais das regiões Norte e Nordeste.

Mobile Phone Surveys for Collecting Population-Level Estimates in Low- and Middle-Income Countries: A Literature Review

Background

National and subnational level surveys are important for monitoring disease burden, prioritizing resource allocation, and evaluating public health policies. As mobile phone access and ownership become more common globally, mobile phone surveys (MPSs) offer an opportunity to supplement traditional public health household surveys.

Objective

The objective of this study was to systematically review the current landscape of MPSs to collect population-level estimates in low- and middle-income countries (LMICs).

Methods

Primary and gray literature from 7 online databases were systematically searched for studies that deployed MPSs to collect population-level estimates. Titles and abstracts were screened on primary inclusion and exclusion criteria by two research assistants. Articles that met primary screening requirements were read in full and screened for secondary eligibility criteria. Articles included in review were grouped into the following three categories by their survey modality: (1) interactive voice response (IVR), (2) short message service (SMS), and (3) human operator or computer-assisted telephone interviews (CATI). Data were abstracted by two research assistants. The conduct and reporting of the review conformed to the Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic Reviews and Meta-Analyses (PRISMA) statement.

Results

A total of 6625 articles were identified through the literature review. Overall, 11 articles were identified that contained 19 MPS (CATI, IVR, or SMS) surveys to collect population-level estimates across a range of topics. MPSs were used in Latin America (n=8), the Middle East (n=1), South Asia (n=2), and sub-Saharan Africa (n=8). Nine articles presented results for 10 CATI surveys (10/19, 53%). Two articles discussed the findings of 6 IVR surveys (6/19, 32%). Three SMS surveys were identified from 2 articles (3/19, 16%). Approximately 63% (12/19) of MPS were delivered to mobile phone numbers collected from previously administered household surveys. The majority of MPS (11/19, 58%) were panel surveys where a cohort of participants, who often were provided a mobile phone upon a face-to-face enrollment, were surveyed multiple times.

Conclusions

Very few reports of population-level MPS were identified. Of the MPS that were identified, the majority of surveys were conducted using CATI. Due to the limited number of identified IVR and SMS surveys, the relative advantages and disadvantages among the three survey modalities cannot be adequately assessed. The majority of MPS were sent to mobile phone numbers that were collected from a previously administered household survey. There is limited evidence on whether a random digit dialing (RDD) approach or a simple random sample of mobile network provided list of numbers can produce a population representative survey.

Building the Evidence Base for Remote Data Collection in Low- and Middle-Income Countries: Comparing Reliability and Accuracy Across Survey Modalities

Background

Given the growing interest in mobile data collection due to the proliferation of mobile phone ownership and network coverage in low- and middle-income countries (LMICs), we synthesized the evidence comparing estimates of health outcomes from multiple modes of data collection. In particular, we reviewed studies that compared a mode of remote data collection with at least one other mode of data collection to identify mode effects and areas for further research.

Objective

The study systematically reviewed and summarized the findings from articles and reports that compare a mode of remote data collection to at least one other mode. The aim of this synthesis was to assess the reliability and accuracy of results.

Methods

Seven online databases were systematically searched for primary and grey literature pertaining to remote data collection in LMICs. Remote data collection included interactive voice response (IVR), computer-assisted telephone interviews (CATI), short message service (SMS), self-administered questionnaires (SAQ), and Web surveys. Two authors of this study reviewed the abstracts to identify articles which met the primary inclusion criteria. These criteria required that the survey collected the data from the respondent via mobile phone or landline. Articles that met the primary screening criteria were read in full and were screened using secondary inclusion criteria. The four secondary inclusion criteria were that two or more modes of data collection were compared, at least one mode of data collection in the study was a mobile phone survey, the study had to be conducted in a LMIC, and finally, the study should include a health component.

Results

Of the 11,568 articles screened, 10 articles were included in this study. Seven distinct modes of remote data collection were identified: CATI, SMS (singular sitting and modular design), IVR, SAQ, and Web surveys (mobile phone and personal computer). CATI was the most frequent remote mode (n=5 articles). Of the three in-person modes (face-to-face [FTF], in-person SAQ, and in-person IVR), FTF was the most common (n=11) mode. The 10 articles made 25 mode comparisons, of which 12 comparisons were from a single article. Six of the 10 articles included sensitive questions.

Conclusions

This literature review summarizes the existing research about remote data collection in LMICs. Due to both heterogeneity of outcomes and the limited number of comparisons, this literature review is best positioned to present the current evidence and knowledge gaps rather than attempt to draw conclusions. In order to advance the field of remote data collection, studies that employ standardized sampling methodologies and study designs are necessary to evaluate the potential for differences by survey modality.

Prevalence of diabetes in Brazil over time: a systematic review with meta-analysis

Diabetes is one of the most important epidemic diseases of this century and the number of people with diabetes has more than doubled over the past three decades. Our aim was to estimate the prevalence of diabetes in the adult Brazilian population and analyze the trends for the last three decades through a systematic review with meta-analysis. This review included observational studies published between 1980 and 2015, which were independently identified by two reviewers in five databases. Random effect models were used to estimate the prevalence and trends of diabetes. In total, 50 articles were included in this review. Three different patterns for diabetes diagnosis were identified: self-report (36 studies), fasting glucose (7 studies), and complex diagnosis (fasting glucose, oral glucose tolerance test, and self-report; 7 studies). The prevalence of diabetes was 5.6 % (95 % CI 5.0-6.3; I(2) = 100 %) by self-report, 6.6 % (95 % CI 4.8-8.9; I(2) = 94 %) by fasting glucose, and 11.9 % (95 % CI 7.7-17.8 I(2) = 100 %) by complex diagnosis. In trend analyses, we observed an increase in the prevalence of diabetes over time. The biggest increase was detected in studies using complex diagnosis: 7.4 % (95 % CI 7.1-7.7) in the 1980s to 15.7 % (95 % CI 9.8-24.3) in the 2010s. In conclusion, despite high heterogeneity, this study observed a high prevalence of diabetes in Brazilian adults over time and with a progressive increase in the last 35 years.

High Blood Pressure and Self-Reported Systemic Hypertension in Elderly Enrolled in the Family Health Strategy Program

OBJECTIVE

This study aimed to determine the prevalence of high blood pressure (HBP), self-reported hypertension, and associated factors among in elderly enrolled in the Family Health Strategy (FHS) Program.

METHOD

This is a cross-sectional study with in elderly enrolled in the FHS Program of Campina Grande/Paraíba/Brazil. This study determined the prevalence of HBP and self-reported hypertension and their associations with demographic, socioeconomic variables, lifestyle, and number of self-reported morbidities. Three blood pressure measurements were performed, and the average value was used for analysis. To control possible confounding factors, data were modeled by the method of linear models generalized with Poisson log modeling to determine prevalence ratios and confidence intervals. The SPSS 22.0 statistical application was used, and 5% significance level was adopted.

RESULTS

High prevalence of HBP (80.9%) was observed, which was associated with the number of self-reported morbidities, both in the univariate and multivariate analyses. High prevalence of self-reported hypertension (66.4%) was also observed. In the final model, positive association between hypertension and demographic and socioeconomic variables and lifestyle was verified.

DISCUSSION

Monitor hypertension should be a priority action given its association with genetic, social and behavioral conditions presented by individuals.

Trends in the prevalence of self-reported diabetes in Brazilian capital cities and the Federal District, 2006-2014

BACKGROUND

Diabetes is increasing globally, particularly in low and middle income countries, posing a great challenge to health systems. Brazil is currently ranked 4th in the world in terms of the absolute number of persons with diabetes. Our aim was to analyze the trend in self-reported diabetes prevalence between 2006 and 2014 in Brazilian adults.

METHODS

We used data from the national telephone survey-VIGITEL. Over 40,000 individuals from probabilistic sample of subjects ≥18 years old residing in 26 state capitals and the Federal District were interviewed per year in each location. Estimates were weighted to represent the surveyed population. We analyzed trends with a linear regression model. We adjusted prevalence with a probability predictive margins model, using as reference categories: men, 18-24 years, ≥12 years of schooling and lean/normal weight.

RESULTS

From 2006 to 2014, the overall prevalence increased from 5.5 to 8.0 %, a net rise of 0.26 %/year (P = 0.001). After adjustment for sex, age, schooling and BMI categories, the trend decreased only slightly to 0.25 %/year. Relatively greater adjusted increases were present in men (0.28 %/year), in those ≥65 years (0.52 %/year), with ≤8 years of schooling (0.33 %/year) and in those overweight (0.24 %/year). The most consistent upward trends were observed among men (coefficient of determination, R² = 0.93), those with educational attainment of 0-8 years (R² = 0.81), those > 65 years (R² = 0.79) and those who were overweight (R² = 0.75). There was no significant trend in diabetes prevalence for the obese. As expected, the prevalence of self-reported diabetes was always higher among those with greater age, less schooling, in women, and in those with obesity. Being obese was associated with having more than twice the prevalence of diabetes of those normal/underweight.

CONCLUSIONS

Prevalence of self-reported diabetes in Brazilian adults has risen between 2006 and 2014, especially among those 65 years or older, even after taking into account the sociodemographic and nutritional changes during the period. Regardless of possible causes (higher incidence, increased diagnosis or decreased mortality), this increase in prevalence has enormous implications for the health system, representing >300,000 newly diagnosed cases of diabetes yearly requiring health care.

Prevalence, correlates, and description of self-reported diabetes in brazilian capitals - results from a telephone survey

INTRODUCTION

The prevalence of diabetes is increasing worldwide. The objective of this study is to estimate the prevalence of self-reported diabetes in Brazilian adults and to describe its population correlates as well as the clinical characteristics of the reported cases.

METHODS

We analyzed basic and supplementary data of 54.144 subjects participating in VIGITEL 2011 (Surveillance System for Risk and Protective Factors for Chronic Diseases), a telephone survey based on a probabilistic sample of subjects ≥ 18 years old residing in Brazilian state capitals and the Federal District. Estimates reported are weighted so as to represent the surveyed population.

RESULTS

The prevalence of self-reported diabetes was 6.3% (95% CI 5.9-6.7), increasing markedly with age and nutritional status, and decreasing with level of education. Prevalence was higher among those self-declaring their race/color as black. Most cases (90%) reported the diagnosis being made at 35 years or older. The vast majority (99.8%) of self-reported cases informed having previously performed at least one glucose test, and 76% of those not reporting diabetes also informed having previously performed glucose testing. Most cases (92.6%) reported following some form of diabetes treatment, 79% taking medication.

CONCLUSION

The estimated prevalence of known diabetes found, 6.3%, is consistent with estimates given by international summaries. The additional data collected in VIGITEL 2011 regarding previous glucose testing and current treatment support the use of telephone-based information to monitor the prevalence of known diabetes in Brazilian capitals.

Physical activity indicators in adults from a state capital in the South of Brazil: a comparison between telephone and face-to-face surveys

The aim of this study was to compare estimates of prevalence of physical activity indicators and associated sociodemographic factors obtained from telephone and face-to-face interviews with adults. Data from a cross-sectional populationbased survey of adults living in Florianópolis, Santa Catarina State, Brazil was compared to data collected through the telephonic system VIGITEL. There was no significant difference between the results from telephone interviews (n = 1,475) and face-to-face interviews (n = 1,720) with respect to prevalence of sufficient leisure time physical activity (19.3% versus 15.5%, respectively), sufficient leisure time and/or commuting physical activity (35.1% versus 29.1%, respectively) and physical inactivity (16.2% versus 12.6%, respectively). Some differences were observed with respect to the sociodemographic factors associated with leisure time and/or commuting physical activity and physical inactivity. The two techniques yielded generally similar results with respect to prevalence and sociodemographic factors associated to physical activity indicators.

[National Health Survey in Brazil: design and methodology of application]

The National Health Survey is a household-based nationwide survey carried out by the Ministry of Health in partnership with the Brazilian Institute of Geography and Statistics. The scope of the survey is to establish the health status and lifestyles of the population - as well as how they look after their health - with regard to access and use of services, preventive actions, continuity of care, and health care financing. The sample size is 80,000 households and enables the calculation of some indicators at different geographic levels, namely states, capitals, metropolitan and rural areas. The questionnaire is divided into three parts. The first two are answered by one resident and include questions on the household characteristics and on the social and economic level and health status of all inhabitants. The individual questionnaire is answered by an adult (aged 18 years or more), selected with equal probability among the adult residents, and focuses on morbidity and lifestyle. For this individual, measurements of weight, height, waist circumference and blood pressure are taken, as well as laboratory exams to characterize the lipid profile and blood glucose level, as well as determine the urine sodium content. The laboratory exams are taken in a subsample of 25% of the census sectors selected.

Seasonal influenza vaccination coverage rate of target groups in selected cities and provinces in China by season (2009/10 to 2011/12)

Background

The objectives of the survey were to identify the level of influenza vaccination coverage in China in three influenza seasons 2009/10 to 2011/12, and to find out potential predictors for seasonal influenza vaccination.

Methods

In September and October 2011, representative urban household telephone surveys were conducted in five provinces in China with a response rate of 6%. Four target groups were defined for analysis: 1) children ≤5 years old; 2) elderly persons aged ≥60 years old; 3) health care workers (persons working in the medical field) and 4) chronically ill persons.

Results

The overall mean vaccination rate was 9.0%. Among the four target groups, the rate of vaccination of children aged ≤5 years old (mean = 26%) was highest and the rate of elderly people aged ≥60 years old (mean = 7.4%) was the lowest, while the rates of persons who suffer from a chronic illness (mean = 9.4%) and health care workers (9.5%) were similar. A subsidy for influenza vaccination, age group, health care workers, suffering from a chronic illness and living in Eastern China were independent significant predictors for influenza vaccination.

Conclusions

The seasonal influenza vaccination coverage rates among urban populations in selected cities and provinces in China were far below previously reported rates in developed countries. Influenza vaccination coverage rates differed widely between different target groups and provinces in China. Subsidy policy might have a positive effect on influenza vaccination rate, but further cost-effectiveness studies, as well as the vaccination rate associated factors studies are still needed to inform strategies to increase coverage.

Comparação das estimativas de prevalência de indicadores de saúde no Município de Campinas, São Paulo, Brasil, nos anos de 2001/2002 (ISA-SP) e 2008/2009 (ISA-Camp)

O objetivo do estudo foi comparar estimativas da prevalência de indicadores de saúde para adultos residentes em Campinas, São Paulo, Brasil, utilizando dados de inquéritos domiciliares realizados em diferentes períodos de tempo (ISA-SP 2001/2002 e ISA-Camp 2008/2009), com amostras de 941 e 2.637 indivíduos de 18 anos e mais, respectivamente. Variáveis sociodemográficas caracterizaram a população estudada. Foram estimadas prevalências e seus respectivos intervalos de 95% de confiança e as comparações foram realizadas pelas razões de prevalência ajustadas por sexo, idade e escolaridade, obtidas pela regressão de Poisson com variância robusta. Diferenças estatisticamente significantes foram observadas para as prevalências de: morbidade referida, uso de medicamentos, percentual dos que nunca fumaram, realização dos exames de Papanicolaou e de mamografia, alguma vez na vida. O acompanhamento de indicadores de saúde por inquéritos repetidos em uma mesma população pode facilitar o monitoramento de objetivos e metas fornecendo subsídios ao planejamento de ações em saúde.

Comparison of estimates of population-based surveys

OBJECTIVE

To compare estimates obtained through household and telephone surveys for monitoring, intervention and development of health policies.

METHODS

The study analyzed data from 2,526 and 1,900 individuals aged 18 and over, living in Campinas, SP, interviewed by the household survey (ISACamp) and by the telephone survey (Vigitel), respectively. Sex, age and schooling were used to characterize the studied population. Prevalence estimates and 95% confidence intervals were utilized in the analysis. The estimates of the sociodemographic characteristics of the population were compared by t-test for two independent samples and the comparison of the other estimates, according to the type of survey, was performed using Poisson regression.

RESULTS

No statistically significant differences were found between the estimates obtained by the two surveys analyzed for overall prevalence of: overweight/obesity, smoking status, mammography in the prior year and Pap smear at least once in life. However, for the estimates of worse perceived health status, health plan affiliation, mammography at least once in life and Pap smear in the prior year, significant differences were found, with a tendency to overestimate data from the telephone survey, except in the case of worse perceived health status.

CONCLUSIONS

These findings point to the need for further studies, which may contribute to a better understanding of the differences, given that telephone surveys can provide quick and essential information for monitoring modifiable risk factors for the assessment of interventions and to develop policies promoting health in Brazil.