Cross-sectional studies
observational
descriptive/analytical studies
examine relationships of health/disease to other variables of interest at the same time
Cross- sectional studies are also known as
Prevalence studies
Why are cross-sectional studies named cross-sectional
Represents what is occurring at a point in time or time frame a-cross a large population
“snap-shot” in time
Focuses of Cross-sectional studies
focuses simultaneously on disease and population characteristics, including exposures, health status, health-car utilization, etc.
- seeks associations (not causation)
- Generates and tests hypotheses
- By repetition in different time periods, can be used to measure change/trends
Most cross sectional studies are
surveys or databases related to different aspects of US population
Advantages of cross-sectional studies
fairly quick and easy to perform
useful for-
- determining prevalence of disease and risk factors across the population
- measuring current health status and planning for health services across the population
- Evaluating differences in sub-groups within the population
Disadvantages of cross-sectional studies
prevalent cases may represent survivors
- difficult to study diseases of low frequency
Problems in determining temporal relationship of a presumed cause and effect
Cross-sectional approaches
- collect data on each member of the population
- take a sample of the population and draw inferences to the remainder
Collection of data how
Questionnaires/surveys
Physical assessments
NHANES
National health and Nutrition examination survey
NHIS
National health and interview survey
NAMCS
National Ambulatory Medical Care Survey
NHCS
National Hospital Care Survey
BRFSS
Behavioral Risk Factor Surveillance System
What is the NHANES
National Health and Nutrition examination survey
- assesses the health and nutritional status of adults and children
- Oversamples persons> or equal to 60, African Americans and Hispanics
What is the NHIS
National Health and Interview Survey
- Principle source of information on health of the civilian, non-institutionalized population
- data collected through a personal household interview
What is the NAMCS
National Ambulatory Medical Care Survey
- National survey designed to need the need for objective, reliable information about the provision and use of ambulatory medical care services in the U.S.
National Hospital care Survey
NHCS
A combined national survey designed to describe national patters of healthcare delivery in non-federal hospital-based settings
- integrates 3 previous cross-sectional surveys: NHDS, NHAMS, DAWN (Drug-abuse warning network)
What is BRFSS
Behavioral Risk Factor Surveillance System
- A state-based system of telephone health surveys that collects information on health risk behaviors, preventative health practices, and health care access primarily related to chronic disease and injury
- Larges landline telephone health survey in the world
What is the main limitation of cross-sectional studies
Inability to determine temporality
