Health survey in Campinas, Sao Paulo State, Brazil (ISACamp): comparison of estimates according to ownership of a residential telephone line

The study assesses differences in socio-demographic, lifestyle, and health-related characteristics among adults with and without residential telephone lines using data from a health survey in Campinas, Sao Paulo State, Brazil, (2008-2009), through a population-based cross-sectional survey that included 2,637 adults (18 years and older). Descriptive statistics, chi-square tests, prevalence, and 95% confidence intervals were used in the analysis. Estimates were also made of the bias associated with non-coverage of the population without telephones before and after adjusting for post-stratification. The impact of bias on the confidence intervals was assessed by the bias ratio. Some 76% of respondents owned residential telephone lines. Except for marital status, differences were observed in socio-demographic data according to ownership of residential telephones. After post-stratification adjustment, there was a decrease in bias estimates for variables associated with ownership of telephone lines. However, except for osteoporosis, post-stratification adjustment was insufficient to correct the non-coverage bias.27101951196

Factors associated with the prevalence of hypertension and control practices among elderly residents of Sao Paulo city, Brazil

The aim of this study was to analyze the prevalence of hypertension and control practices among the elderly. The survey analyzed data from 872 elderly people in Sao Paulo, Brazil, through a cluster sampling, stratified according to education and income. A Poisson multiple regression model checked for the existence of factors associated with hypertension. The prevalence of self-reported hypertension among the elderly was 46.9%. Variables associated with hypertension were self-rated health, alcohol consumption, gender, and hospitalization in the last year, regardless of age. The three most common measures taken to control hypertension, but only rarely, are oral medication, routine salt-free diet and physical activity. Lifestyle and socioeconomic status did not affect the practice of control, but knowledge about the importance of physical activity was higher among those older people with higher education and greater income. The research suggests that health policies that focus on primary care to encourage lifestyle changes among the elderly are necessary.291122752286Sao Paulo Municipal Mayor's officeMunicipal Health Secretaria

Comparison of prevalence estimates for health indicators in Campinas, Sao Paulo State, Brazil, in 2001-2002 (ISA-SP) and 2008-2009 (ISA-Camp)

The aim of the study was to compare prevalence estimates of health indicators for adults living in Campinas, Sao Paulo State, using data from two household surveys (ISA-SP 2001-2002 and ISA-Camp 2008-2009), analyzing data from 941 and 2,637 individuals 18 years and older, respectively. Socio-demographic variables were used to characterize the study population. Prevalence rates and 95% confidence intervals were estimated, and comparisons were performed by prevalence ratios adjusted for sex, age, and education, obtained by Poisson regression with robust variance. Statistically significant differences were observed for prevalence of morbidity, medication, smoking, and lifetime Pap smear and mammogram. Surveillance of health indicators by repeated surveys in the same population can facilitate monitoring goals and objectives by providing support to plan public health interventions.2961149116