Cross-sectional studies Flashcards
Cross sectional studies are _____ studies that capture ____ and ____ at the same time from an ENTIRE population
observational
health/disease status
exposure
What is a slang term that describes the perspective that cross sectional study’s data provides on a population? is there any way to use this study type to gain more insight into a population?
cross sectional studies provide a “snapshot” at a moment in time with the data they collect from a population
conduct several cross sectional studies (annually)
What is the purpose of cross sectional studies?
Cross sectional studies seek associations and generates test hypotheses (cant determine causation bc it’s observational).
- Describe how a “study population” for a cross-sectional study is determined.
(There are 2 methods to choose from)
- Collect data on each member of the population ; this method is usually used in smaller populations
- Take a sample of the population and draw inferences to the remainder (generalize)
state the advantages of cross sectional studies (2 of them)
Quick, less expensive, and easy for the researcher, especially when all of the data is already gathered
Useful for estimating prevalence rates (by generalizability) and answering research questions about several exposures and diseases
state the disadvantages of cross sectional studies (4 of them)
It is difficult to study low frequency diseases
Incidence rates cannot be calculated from them
Prevalent cases may wrongfully represent surviving cases (bc it’s a snapshot and can include currently dying people as survivors)
There are issues with determining the temporality of the data bc the exposures and disease histories are taken at the same time.
- Cite and delineate common means of collecting new information for cross-sectional studies.
Questionnaires/Surveys
Physical Assessments that could include labs/imaging
State the full name, data collection method, what this test assesses, and the data type of the NHANES cross sectional study
NHANES: National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey
Data Collection Method: Combination of interviews and physical examinations
What it assesses: assesses the health and nutritional status of adults and children
Data Type: survey sample is selected to represent the US pop. By oversampling people over 65 y.o, Blacks, and Hispanics(to be sure those minorities are represented)
State the full name, data collection method, what this test assesses, and the data type of the NHIS cross sectional study
NHIS: National Health Interview Survey
Data Collection Method: a personal household interview with a set of core questions and supplementary questions that address the public health needs as they arise
What it assesses: the health of the civilian, non-institutionalized (not in a hospital) population
Data Type: represents US pop. Of all ages
State the full name, data collection method, and what this test assesses of the NAMCS cross sectional study
NAMCS: National Ambulatory Medical Care Survey
Data Collection Method: collected from non-federal, non-institutional primary care physicians
What it assesses: the provision and use of ambulatory medical care services in the US
State the full name, data collection method, what this test assesses, and the data type of the NHCS cross sectional study
NHCS: National Health Care Survey
Data Collection Method: Integrates 3 previous Cross-sectional surveys (National Hospital Discharge Survey NHDS ; National Hospital Ambulatory Medical Care Survey NHAMCS ; Drug-Abuse Warning Network DAWN)
What it assesses: national patterns of healthcare delivery in non-federal hospital-based settings (including discharges from inpatient/outpatient departments, ED’s, and ambulatory surgery centers)
Data Type: amount, pattern, and locations of discharges
State the full name, data collection method, what this test assesses, and the data type of the BRFSS cross sectional study
BRFSS: Behavioral Risk Factor Surveillance System
Data Collection Method: telephone questionnaire that occurs monthly in all 50 states, and providences (Youth BRFSS is conducted with a questionnaire in schools)
What it assesses: information on health risk behaviors, preventative health practices, and health care access related to chronic disease/injury
Data Type: state-based (within each state) data on adults older than 18 y.o. answering a telephone survey
Explain why cross sectional studies are called “Cross sectional”. How much of the population of interest is actually directly involved in this type of study?
because the data gathered represents what is occurring at a point in time “across” a large population
the entire population or a subset that is selected to represent the entire population is directly involved in the study
The data collected during a cross sectional study is acquired without regard to ______ or _____/______ ________
exposure
disease/outcome status
when conducting several repetitions of cross sectional studies, in an effort to address temporality, describe major change between studies that must be recognized.
you must recognize that each study is NOT likely to evaluated the same individuals year-to-year
they may move or leave the group or die, or a variety of other options
