National Health Survey (national + health_survey)

Distribution by Scientific Domains

Kinds of National Health Survey

  • spanish national health survey


  • Selected Abstracts


    Ethnic differences and determinants of diabetes and central obesity among South Asians of Pakistan

    DIABETIC MEDICINE, Issue 7 2004
    T. H. Jafar
    Abstract Aims To study the within ethnic subgroup variations in diabetes and central obesity among South Asians. Methods Data from 9442 individuals age , 15 years from the National Health Survey of Pakistan (NHSP) (1990,1994) were analysed. Diabetes was defined as non-fasting blood glucose , 7.8 mmol/l, or known history of diabetes. Central obesity was measured at the waist circumference. Distinct ethnic subgroups Muhajir, Punjabi, Sindhi, Pashtun, and Baluchi were defined by mother tongue. Results The age-standardized prevalence of diabetes varied among ethnic subgroups (P = 0.002), being highest among the Muhajirs (men 5.7%, women 7.9%), then Punjabis (men 4.6%, women 7.2%), Sindhis (men 5.1%, women 4.8%), Pashtuns (men 3.0%, women 3.8%), and lowest among the Baluchis (men 2.9%, women 2.6%). While diabetes was more prevalent in urban vs. rural dwellers [odds ratio (OR) 1.50, 95% confidence interval (CI) 1.24, 1.82], this difference was no longer significant after adjusting for central obesity (OR 1.15, 95% CI 0.95, 1.42). However, the ethnic differences persisted after adjusting for major sociodemographic risk factors (unadjusted OR for Pashtun vs. Punjabi 0.59, 95% CI 0.42, 0.84, adjusted OR 0.54, 95% CI 0.37, 0.78). Ethnic variation was also observed in central obesity, which varied with gender, and did not necessarily track with ethnic differences in diabetes. Conclusions Unmeasured environmental or genetic factors account for ethnic variations in diabetes and central obesity, and deserve further study. [source]


    The Impact of Private Insurance Coverage on Veterans' Use of VA Care: Insurance and Selection Effects

    HEALTH SERVICES RESEARCH, Issue 1p1 2008
    Yujing Shen
    Objective. To examine private insurance coverage and its impact on use of Veterans Health Administration (VA) care among VA enrollees without Medicare coverage. Data Sources. The 1999 National Health Survey of Veteran Enrollees merged with VA administrative data, with other information drawn from American Hospital Association data and the Area Resource File. Study Design. We modeled VA enrollees' decision of having private insurance coverage and its impact on use of VA care controlling for sociodemographic information, patients' health status, VA priority status and access to VA and non-VA alternatives. We estimated the true impact of insurance on the use of VA care by teasing out potential selection bias. Bias came from two sources: a security selection effect (sicker enrollees purchase private insurance for extra security and use more VA and non-VA care) and a preference selection effect (VA enrollees who prefer non-VA care may purchase private insurance and use less VA care). Principal Findings. VA enrollees with private insurance coverage were less likely to use VA care. Security selection dominated preference selection and naďve models that did not control for selection effects consistently underestimated the insurance effect. Conclusions. Our results indicate that prior research, which has not controlled for insurance selection effects, may have underestimated the potential impact of any private insurance policy change, which may in turn affect VA enrollees' private insurance coverage and consequently their use of VA care. From the decline in private insurance coverage from 1999 to 2002, we projected an increase of 29,400 patients and 158 million dollars for VA health care services. [source]


    Dental visits by Australian preschool children

    JOURNAL OF PAEDIATRICS AND CHILD HEALTH, Issue 6 2003
    LM Slack-Smith
    Objective: To provide population-based data on dental visits in preschool children, to assist in the planning of such services and preventive programs. Methodology: Dental visits in young children are described and associated factors are investigated using data from the 1995 National Health Survey. Results: Thirty-eight per cent of children aged 3,4 years had ever visited a dental professional with 31% having visited a dental professional in the previous 12 months (total n = 1596). Factors associated with having ever visited a dental professional included age in years (,2 = 74.16, P < 0.0001), state of residence (,2 = 25.81, P= 0.0005) and private health insurance (,2 = 7.96, P= 0.005). Similar factors were associated with visits in last 12 months. Western Australia had the lowest proportion of preschool children aged 3,4 years having ever visited a dental professional (29%) while South Australia had the highest proportion (48%). The major reasons given for dental visits were check-up and fillings. Conclusion: Data regarding children not as likely to attend dental services can be used to target services and assist in ensuring preschool children receive appropriate dental care. [source]


    Rates of breastfeeding in Australia by State and socio-economic status: Evidence from the 1995 National Health Survey

    JOURNAL OF PAEDIATRICS AND CHILD HEALTH, Issue 2 2000
    S Donath
    Objective: To estimate rates of breastfeeding in the first year of life in Australia, according to state and socio-economic status. Methodology: Analysis of data from the 1995 Australian National Health Survey. Results: Estimated breastfeeding rates are 81.8% on discharge from hospital, 57.1% fully breastfed at 3 months and 62.6% fully or partially breastfed at 3 months. At 6 months, it is estimated that 18.6% of babies are fully breastfed and 46.2% fully or partially breastfed. At 1 year, 21.2% of infants are receiving some breast milk. Comparison between states demonstrates that there is considerable variation in breastfeeding practice within Australia. Rates of breastfeeding also vary according to the socio-economic status of the geographic area in which the child is living, with a strong inverse relationship between rates of breastfeeding and socio-economic status. Conclusion: Australia's target for breastfeeding in the year 2000 is to have 80% of babies at least partially breastfed for the first 6 months of life. Although Australia has good rates of initiation of breastfeeding, these levels are not maintained over time, and it seems unlikely that we will reach the year 2000 targets. [source]


    Patterns of medication use in the immigrant population resident in Spain: associated factors

    PHARMACOEPIDEMIOLOGY AND DRUG SAFETY, Issue 8 2009
    P. Carrasco-Garrido PhD
    Abstract Purpose This study mainly aimed at to ascertain to ascertain the prevalence of the consumption of medications, prescribed and self-medicated, among the immigrant population (economic immigrants and not economic immigrants) resident in Spain, and to identify the factors associated with such consumption in this population. Methods We have worked with individualized secondary data, collected in the Spanish National Health Survey carried out in 2006 and 2007 (SNHS-06), from the Ministry of Health and Consumer Affairs. A total of 2055 subjects born outside Spain, aged 16 years or over, were analysed. The independent variables were sociodemographic and health-related, and the dependent variable was medication use. Using logistic multivariate regression models we have estimated the independent effect of each of these variables on the medication consumption. Results The 55.8% of immigrant population responded affirmatively to having consumed some type of medication. The drugs that registered the highest consumption prevalence were analgesics (53.09%). It should be stressed here that 8.75% of the not economic immigrant population has consumed antibiotics. The variables that were independently and significantly associated with a greater probability of medication consumption were: sex, age, presence of chronic disease, use of alternative medicines and a negative perception of health. The most strongly associated variable is medical consultation. Conclusions The prevalence of medication use higher among economic immigrant women. In our population, the use of alternative medicines use and medical visits to the physician are associated with higher consumption. Copyright © 2009 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd. [source]


    Predictive factors of self-medicated drug use among the Spanish adult population

    PHARMACOEPIDEMIOLOGY AND DRUG SAFETY, Issue 2 2008
    P. Carrasco-Garrido PhD
    Abstract Purpose Our study aimed at describing the prevalence of self-medicated drug use among the Spanish adult population and to identify the predictive factors of such self-medication in Spain. Methods Descriptive, cross-sectional study covering the Spanish adult population, using data drawn from the 2003 Spanish National Health Survey (ENSS). A total of 19,514 subjects were analysed. The independent variables were socio-demographic and health-related, and the dependent variable was self-medicated drug use. Using logistic multivariate regression models we have estimated the independent effect of each of these variables on the self-medicated consumption. Results The 18.1% of all Spaniards indulge in self-medication. Our study shows that 45% of all cold and influenza medication and 39.4% of analgesics consumed by the population involve self-medication. It should be stressed here that 17.7% of persons who took antibiotics did so in the form of self-medication. The variables that were independently and significantly associated with a greater probability of self-medicated consumption were: sex; lower age; higher educational level; consumption of alcohol; smoking habit; use of alternative medical products; absence of chronic disease and a positive perception of health. Conclusions In Spain, the prevalence of self-medicated drug use is higher in women than men. In our population, the influence of unhealthy lifestyles, such as alcohol and tobacco consumption, is related to a higher likelihood of self-medication. Copyright © 2007 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd. [source]


    Mental Health and Wellbeing and Unemployment

    THE AUSTRALIAN ECONOMIC REVIEW, Issue 2 2000
    Paul Flatau
    This article examines the relationship between mental health and wellbeing and unemployment utilising the 1995 National Health Survey (1995 NHS) and the 1997 National Survey of Mental Health and Wellbeing of Adults (1997 SMHWB) data sets. Three indicators of mental health and wellbeing are adopted. The first is a psychological wellbeing measure derived from responses to questions included in the 1995 NHS on time felt down, happy, peaceful, and nervous (the SF-36 mental health scale). The second indicator relates to diagnoses of mental disorders including substance use disorders, affective disorders and anxiety disorders. Our final indicator relates to suicidal thoughts and plans and (unsuccessful) suicide attempts. On the basis of these measures, unemployed persons exhibit poorer mental health and wellbeing outcomes than the full-time employed. [source]


    Comedication related to comorbidities: a study in 1203 hospitalized patients with severe psoriasis

    BRITISH JOURNAL OF DERMATOLOGY, Issue 5 2008
    S. Gerdes
    Summary Background, Psoriasis is a common dermatological disorder characterized by an immune-mediated chronic inflammation which is associated with a variety of other diseases commonly referred to as comorbidities. The treatments for these diseases may interfere with the course and the treatment of psoriasis. Little is known on the general drug intake of patients with psoriasis. Objectives, To gain more insight into the general drug intake of patients with severe psoriasis. A correlation of comedication to respective diseases could lead to a better knowledge of comorbidities. Methods, Data on demographics, comedication and comorbidities from 1203 patients with severe psoriasis in Germany were analysed. As a control group data from 7099 subjects from the German National Health Survey 1998 were used. Results, Patients with severe psoriasis are receiving significantly more different systemic drugs on average than the general population, with the most prominent difference in multidrug treatment. Drugs used in the treatment of arterial hypertension, diabetes mellitus and other diseases of the metabolic syndrome as well as oral anticoagulants and anticonvulsant agents showed the greatest differences. Special characteristics of antihypertensive drug treatments could be determined. Conclusions, The data obtained in this study provide the basis for an improved management of patients with psoriasis. Knowledge of existing comedication and comorbidities may lead to the ability to treat psoriasis and comorbidities at the same time more safely and to use possible synergistic effects. [source]


    Age-period-cohort analysis of dentist use in Spain from 1987 to 1997.

    EUROPEAN JOURNAL OF ORAL SCIENCES, Issue 3 2001
    An analysis based on the Spanish National Health Interview Surveys
    The aim was to determine whether the effects of age, period (from 1987 to 1997), or cohort (birth-cohort) are the most plausible explanations for the variation in dentist utilisation over time in Spain. On the basis of three sequential Spanish National Health Surveys, the trend in the percentage of people visiting the dentist within the previous 3 months was analysed by means of a standard cohort table and by the Clayton & Schifflers method. The percent of people visiting the dentist grew from 13.6% in 1987, to 17.2% in 1997. Visual examination of the cohort table, together with the fit of the age-cohort model, indicates that cohort succession may be the best explanation for the increase. The younger the cohort, the higher the dental visit rate; this relationship was strongest for people born after 1977. The model also indicates that the rates of dental visiting tend to increase up to middle age, and then tend to decrease with age. [source]


    Changes in the demand for private medical insurance following a shift in tax incentives

    HEALTH ECONOMICS, Issue 2 2008
    Marisol Rodríguez
    Abstract The 1998 Spanish reform of the Personal Income Tax eliminated the 15% deduction for private medical expenditures including payments on private health insurance (PHI) policies. To avoid an undesired increase in the demand for publicly funded health care, tax incentives to buy PHI were not completely removed but basically shifted from individual to group employer-paid policies. In a unique fiscal experiment, at the same time that the tax relief for individually purchased policies was abolished, the government provided for tax allowances on policies taken out through employment. Using a bivariate probit model on data from National Health Surveys, we estimate the impact of said reform on the demand for PHI and the changes occurred within it. Our findings indicate that the total probability of buying PHI was not significantly affected by the reform. Indeed, the fall in the demand for individual policies (by 10% between 1997 and 2001) was offset by an increase in the demand for group employer-paid ones. We also briefly discuss the welfare effects on the state budget, the industry and society at large. Copyright © 2007 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd. [source]


    Trends and Determinants of Alcohol Consumption in Portugal: Results From the National Health Surveys 1995 to 1996 and 1998 to 1999

    ALCOHOLISM, Issue 1 2005
    Pedro Marques-Vidal
    Background: There is very little information on trends and determinants of alcohol consumption in the Portuguese population, which is usually characterized by high wine consumption. Methods: A cross-sectional studies was conducted in 1995/1996 and 1998/1999 in a representative sample of 0.5% of the mainland Portuguese population (49,768 participants in 1995/1996 and 48,606 in 1998/1999), aged 15 years or more. Alcohol consumption was assessed by asking whether the participants had consumed alcohol in the previous week and how many drinks of wine/beer/whiskey/Port wine they consumed on average during that week. Results: Prevalence of reported alcohol consumption decreased slightly between 1995/1996 and 1998/1999 (men: 65.7 vs. 64.0%, p < 0.001; women: 26.9 vs. 26.0%, p < 0.001). Among drinkers, the most frequently consumed alcoholic beverage was wine, followed by beer, whiskey, and Port wine. The amount of alcohol and wine consumed decreased in both sexes, whereas the amount of beer, whiskey, and Port wine consumed increased in men and the increase in beer consumption was borderline significant in women (p= 0.056). In both sexes, participants <50 years of age tended to consume less wine and more beer, whiskey, and Port wine than their older counterparts. Also, higher education was related to a higher frequency of alcohol consumption, whereas smoking was related to a lower consumption of wine odds ratio (OR): 0.69 (95% confidence interval CI: 0.62,0.77) for men and OR: 0.76 (95% CI: 0.61,0.95) for women and a higher consumption of beer OR: 1.43 (95% CI: 1.33,1.54) for men and OR: 2.13 (95% CI: 1.84,2.42) for women and whiskey OR: 1.28 (95% CI: 1.21,1.35) for men and OR: 2.61 (95% CI: 2.25,3.02) for women. Conclusions: The pattern of alcohol consumption is changing in Portugal: the prevalence of drinkers is decreasing, and younger generations are shifting from wine to beer and spirits. Educational level seems to be a powerful mediator in the choice of alcoholic beverage. [source]


    Quantitative assessment of the gastrointestinal and cardiovascular risk-benefit of celecoxib compared to individual NSAIDs at the population level,,

    PHARMACOEPIDEMIOLOGY AND DRUG SAFETY, Issue 4 2007
    Cristina Varas-Lorenzo MD
    Abstract Purpose To estimate the net cardiovascular (CV) (coronary heart disease, stroke, congestive heart failure), and gastrointestinal (GI) (peptic ulcer complications) risk-benefit public health impact of the use of celecoxib compared to non-selective NSAIDs in the arthritis population. Methods We applied discrete event simulation models to data from the US National Health Surveys, CV risk-prediction models from the Framingham Heart Study, and population-based studies. Models took into account the multifactorial effect of risk factors, comorbidity, and competing risk of mortality. We simulated the natural history of CV and GI disease in the U.S. arthritis population over 1 year, through the individual baseline cardiovascular and gastrointestinal risk profile. This model was modified with relative risks associated with the use of each treatment. The mean number of events was estimated for each end-point in each model: natural history, celecoxib, diclofenac, ibuprofen, naproxen. The number of events for celecoxib was compared with each NSAID. Results The evaluation included 1% of the U.S. population with arthritis. Celecoxib, when applied to 100,000 patients over 1 year, resulted in 570 (range from sensitivity analysis: 440,691), 226 (124,313), and 746 (612,868) fewer ulcer complications than diclofenac, ibuprofen, and naproxen, respectively. There were 20 (16,25), 8 (4,12), and 27 (22,32) fewer deaths from ulcer complications, respectively. No increase in cardiovascular events or all cause mortality was observed for celecoxib versus the other individual NSAIDs. Conclusion Results from these simulations suggest a gastrointestinal benefit for celecoxib not offset by increased cardiovascular events or mortality. The methodology used here provides a risk-benefit assessment framework for evaluating the public heath impact of drugs. Copyright © 2006 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd. [source]


    Psychotropics use in the Spanish elderly: predictors and evolution between years 1993 and 2003,

    PHARMACOEPIDEMIOLOGY AND DRUG SAFETY, Issue 4 2007
    P. Carrasco-Garrido PhD
    Abstract Purpose This study mainly aimed at describing the prevalence of psychotropic medication consumption in the Spanish elderly population between the years 1993 and 2003. Methods Descriptive, cross-sectional study covering the Spanish population aged 65 years and over, using data drawn from the 1993 and 2003 Spanish National Health Surveys (ENSS). A total of 9570 interviews were analysed (3436 from 1993 and 6134 from 2003). The independent variables were sociodemographic and health-related, and the dependent variable was total consumption of psychotropic medication. Using logistic multivariate regression models, we have analysed the temporal evolution of psychotropic medication consumption between 1993 and 2003. Results The prevalence of consumption was significantly higher in women (6.7% from 1993 and 26.4 % from 2003) versus men (2.4% from 1993 and 10.6% from 2003) (p,<,0.001). Multivariate analysis, highlighted the association between increased psychoactive drug intake and sex, nervous, depressive, sleep disorders and negative perception of health, displayed a strong association with consumption of psychoactive drugs across the 2 years. Conclusions In Spain, the prevalence of psychoactive drug consumption is higher among elderly women than men, and increases with negative perception of health. The prevalence of consumption was significantly higher in the year 2003. Copyright © 2006 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd. [source]


    National and Regional Prevalence of Self-reported Epilepsy in Canada

    EPILEPSIA, Issue 12 2004
    José F. Tellez-Zenteno
    Summary:,Purpose: To assess the point prevalence of self-described epilepsy in the general population nationally, provincially, and in different groups of interest. Methods: We analyzed data from two national health surveys, the National Population Health Survey (NPHS, N = 49,000) and the Community Health Survey (CHS, N = 130,882). Both surveys captured sociodemographic information, as well as age, sex, education, ethnicity, household income, and labor force status of participants. Epilepsy was ascertained with only one question in both surveys. "Do you have epilepsy diagnosed by a health professional?" (NPHS) and "Do you have epilepsy?" (CHS). Prevalences were age-adjusted by using national standard populations at the time of each survey. Exact 95% confidence intervals were obtained. Results: In the NPHS, 241 of 49,026 subjects described themselves as having been diagnosed with epilepsy, yielding a weighted point prevalence of 5.2 per 1,000 [95% confidence interval (CI), 4.9,5.4]. In the CHS, 835 of 130,822 subjects described themselves as having epilepsy, yielding a weighted point prevalence of 5.6 per 1,000 (95% CI, 5.1,6.0). Trends in differences in prevalence among some Canadian provinces were observed. Prevalence was statistically significantly higher in groups with the lowest educational level, lowest income, and in those unemployed in the previous year. Prevalence also was higher in nonimmigrants than in immigrants. Conclusions: The overall and group-specific results are in keeping with those obtained in other developed countries by using different ascertainment methods. We discuss methodologic aspects related to the ascertainment of epilepsy in both surveys, and to the validity and implications of our findings. [source]


    Dental health status of liver transplant candidates

    LIVER TRANSPLANTATION, Issue 2 2007
    James Guggenheimer
    A prerequisite dental evaluation is usually recommended for potential organ transplant candidates. This is based on the premise that untreated dental disease may pose a risk for infection and sepsis, although there is no evidence that this has occurred in organ transplant candidates or recipients. The purpose of this study was to assess the prevalence of dental disease and oral health behaviors in a sample of liver transplant candidates (LTCs). Oral examinations were conducted on 300 LTCs for the presence of gingivitis, dental plaque, dental caries, periodontal disease, edentulism, and xerostomia. The prevalence of these conditions was compared with oral health data from national health surveys and examined for possible associations with most recent dental visit, smoking, and type of liver disease. Significant risk factors for plaque-related gingivitis included intervals of more than 1 yr since the last dental visit (P = 0.004), smoking (P = 0.03), and diuretic therapy (P = 0.005). Dental caries and periodontal disease were also significantly associated with intervals of more than 1 yr since the last dental visit (P = 0.004). LTCs with viral hepatitis or alcoholic cirrhosis had the highest smoking rate (78.8%). Higher rates of edentulism occurred among older LTCs who were less likely to have had a recent dental evaluation (mean 88 months). In conclusion, intervals of more than 1 yr since the last dental visit, smoking, and diuretic therapy appear to be the most significant determinants of dental disease and the need for a pretransplantation dental screening evaluation in LTCs. Edentulous patients should have periodic examinations for oral cancer. Liver Transpl 13:280,286, 2007. © 2007 AASLD. [source]


    Health Assimilation Patterns Amongst Australian Immigrants*

    THE ECONOMIC RECORD, Issue 260 2007
    NICHOLAS BIDDLE
    This paper compares the health of Australian immigrants with that of the Australian-born population and examines the extent to which differences vary with time since migration. Health is measured using self-reports of chronic diseases from three national health surveys. Probit models are used to estimate the health effects of immigrant arrival cohorts, years since migration and country of birth. We find that the health of Australian immigrants is better than the Australian-born population, but the longer immigrants spend in Australia, the closer their health approximates that of the Australian-born population. There are variations for different immigrant groups and for particular chronic diseases. [source]