Cross-Section Studies Flashcards
What is the red flag/ key word that should make you think cross-sectional design?
National data
Represents all of the US
Cross-sectional study is also called a _______ study.
Prevalence
Cross-sectional study definition
Collecting data across a LARGE population looking at whats going on at that particular time in that population
- acquired without regard to exposure or dz/outcome status
- snap shot in time of all elements
Cross sectional studies focus _______ on dz and _____ characteristics, including exposures, health status, etc.
- Simultaneously
- population
they seek associations
What are the 2 Cross-sectional approaches?
1) Collect data on each member of the popln ( ex - city of KC - use everyone. ex) pregnancy smoking data from KC health department)
2) Take a sample of the popln and draw inferences to the remainder
- generalizable
- more common
What are the two common approaches for collection of data/info?
1) Questionnaires or surveys (new or existing databases)
- either directly from pt’s/caregivers or their medical records
2) Physical assessments (labs, clinical or psych tests)
What does NCHS stand for?
National Center for Health Statistics
- where many survey-based products come from
What are strengths of Cross-Sectional studies?
- quicker, easier, and cheaper for the RESEARCHER bc data is already collected
- can be analyzed for group allocation and comparison groups (this is secondary)
- estimate PREVALENCE rates
- answers research Qs about many exposures and dz using same data
What are weaknesses of Cross-Sectional studies?
- prevalent cases may represent survivors
- hard to study dz’s with low frequency
- unable to generate incidence rates bc just taking a snap shot
- problem in determining temporal relationship
NHANES: name and what it does
National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey
- assesses health and nutritional status of adults and children ****
- medical, dental, physiological measurements, and labs
- combines interviews and PEs
- ex = mobile bus
NHIS: name and what it does
National Health Interview Study
- principle source of info on health of the civilian, non institutionalized popln ****
- represents US popln of all ages
- collected via personal household interview
- set of core questions that are unchanged and a set of supplements used to respond to PH data needs
- avoids VA and military system
NAMCS: name and what it does
National Ambulatory Medical Care Survey
- info on ambulatory medical care services in US
- Outpatient**** = doc office, urgent care, non hospitalized ER visits
NHCS: name and what it does
National Hospital Care Survey
- info about health-care patterns in non-federal hospital based settings
- Inpatient
BRFSS: name and what it does
Behavioral Risk Factor Surveillence System
- info on health-risk behaviors, preventative health practices, and health care access ***
- state-based, telephone surveys
- youth get questionnaires
