Selective attrition and bias in a longitudinal health survey among survivors of a disaster

BACKGROUND: Little is known about the response mechanisms among survivors of disasters. We studied the selective attrition and possible bias in a longitudinal study among survivors of a fireworks disaster. METHODS: Survivors completed a questionnaire three weeks (wave 1), 18 months (wave 2) and four years post-disaster (wave 3). Demographic characteristics, disaster-related factors and health problems at wave 1 were compared between respondents and non-respondents at the follow-up surveys. Possible bias as a result of selective response was examined by comparing prevalence estimates resulting from multiple imputation and from complete case analysis. Analysis were stratified according to ethnic background (native Dutch and immigrant survivors). RESULTS: Among both native Dutch and immigrant survivors, female survivors and survivors in the age categories 25–44 and 45–64 years old were more likely to respond to the follow-up surveys. In general, disasters exposure did not differ between respondents and non-respondents at follow-up. Response at follow-up differed between native Dutch and non-western immigrant survivors. For example, native Dutch who responded only to wave 1 reported more depressive feelings at wave 1 (59.7%; 95% CI 51.2–68.2) than Dutch survivors who responded to all three waves (45.4%; 95% CI 41.6–49.2, p < 0.05). Immigrants who responded only to wave 1 had fewer health problems three weeks post-disaster such as depressive feelings (M = 69.3%; 95% CI 60.9–77.6) and intrusions and avoidance reactions (82.7%; 95% CI 75.8–89.5) than immigrants who responded to all three waves (respectively 89.9%; 95% CI 83.4–96.9 and 96.3%; 95% CI 92.3–100, p < .01). Among Dutch survivors, the imputed prevalence estimates of wave 3 health problems tended to be higher than the complete case estimates. The imputed prevalence estimates of wave 3 health problems among immigrants were either unaffected or somewhat lower than the complete case estimates. CONCLUSION: Our results indicate that despite selective response, the complete case prevalence estimates were only somewhat biased. Future studies, both among survivors of disasters and among the general population, should not only examine selective response, but should also investigate whether selective response has biased the complete case prevalence estimates of health problems by using statistical techniques such as multiple imputation

Living with diabetes: rationale, study design and baseline characteristics for an Australian prospective cohort study

Background: Diabetes mellitus is a major global public health threat. In Australia, as elsewhere, it is responsible for a sizeable portion of the overall burden of disease, and significant costs. The psychological and social impact of diabetes on individuals with the disease can be severe, and if not adequately addressed, can lead to the worsening of the overall disease picture. The Living With Diabetes Study aims to contribute to a holistic understanding of the psychological and social aspects of diabetes mellitus

Dificuldades na comunicação entre pessoas com deficiência auditiva e profissionais de saúde: uma questão de saúde pública Communication difficulties between individuals with hearing disability and health professionals: a public health matter

OBJETIVO: Descrever a ocorrência de relatos de pessoas com deficiência auditiva e múltipla (auditiva e visual e/ou mobilidade) quanto às dificuldades para ouvir e entender profissionais de saúde. MÉTODOS: Estudo transversal, do tipo inquérito de saúde, realizado com sujeitos selecionados a partir de outros dois estudos de base populacional. A coleta dos dados ocorreu de forma domiciliar, por meio de entrevistas realizadas por entrevistadores treinados, em São Paulo e região. Foram coletadas informações sobre a dificuldade de ouvir e entender o que os profissionais de saúde disseram no último serviço de saúde usado, além de dados demográficos (idade, gênero e raça), econômicos (renda do chefe da família), tipo de serviço de saúde procurado, uso de plano privado de saúde e necessidade de auxílio para ir ao serviço de saúde. RESULTADOS: Dos entrevistados, 35% relataram problemas para ouvir e entender os profissionais de saúde no último serviço visitado; 30,6% (IC95%: 23,4-37,8) para entender os médicos; 18,1% (IC95%: 12,0-24,1) para entender as enfermeiras; e 21,2% (IC95%: 14,8-27,6) para entender os outros funcionários. Não houve diferenças quando se considerou as variáveis demográficas, a necessidade de auxílio para tomar banho e se vestir, comer, levantar-se e/ou andar, possuir ou não plano privado de saúde e tipo de serviço de saúde visitado. CONCLUSÃO: Do total de pessoas entrevistadas, 35% relataram problemas para ouvir e entender o que foi dito por profissionais de saúde. Do total que relatou alguma dificuldade, 34,74% tinham deficiência auditiva e 35,38% deficiência múltipla.<br>PURPOSE: To describe the occurrence of reports from people with hearing and/or multiple disabilities (hearing and visual and/or mobility) regarding hearing and understanding health professionals. METHODS: Cross-sectional study through health survey, conducted with selected subjects from two population-based studies. Data collection took place at subjects' homes, through interviews conducted by trained interviewers in the area of São Paulo. Information regarding difficulties to hear and understand what health professionals said in the last health service used were collected, besides demographic information (age, gender and race), economic data (head of household income), type of health service sought, use of private health insurance, and need of help when accessing the health service. RESULTS: From the interviewees, 35% reported problems to hear and understand the health professionals in the last service visited; 30.6% (95%CI: 23.4-37.8) to understand the physicians; 18.1% (95%CI: 12.0-24.1) to understand the nurses; and 21.2% (95%CI: 14.8-27.6) to understand the other employees. There were no differences for the demographic variables, the need of help with bathing and dressing, eating, standing and/or walking, having or not private health insurance, and type of health service visited. CONCLUSION: From the total of individuals interviewed, 35% reported problems to hear and understand what was said by health professionals. Among these, 34.74% had hearing disability and 35.38% had multiple disabilities