Ethnic Differences in Reported Smoking Behaviors in Face-to-Face and Telephone Interviews

Different modes of gathering data on self-reported health measures and self-reported risk factors are used frequently in research. However, data on the influence of the mode of collection of data on self-reporting are limited. The aim of the study was to identify associations between the mode of data collection and self-reported smoking in two distinct ethnic groups, Jews and Arabs in Israel. During the last 2 years, data were collected in two national surveys regarding the smoking behaviors of Jews and Arabs in Israel. In the telephone surveys 4713 Israeli residents were interviewed and in the face-to-face interviewees 3239 people were interviewed. The interviewees were between the ages 25 and 64. There was no significant difference in smoking rates between face-to-face interviews and telephone interviews among Jewish men or women after adjusting for other variables associated with smoking. However, there was a difference between the two methods of data collection in the Arab population also after the adjustment. In this group, respondents tended to report more often being a smoker in the face-to-face interviews. This was especially apparent in Arab women. There was no significant difference in the reported number of cigarettes smoked in the two modes of data collection. In Arabs compared to Jews there is a significant difference between reporting smoking during a telephone interview and a face-to-face interview. The mode of data collection can affect comparisons between different groups.     

Comparing Costs of Telephone vs Face-to-Face Extended-Care Programs for the Management of Obesity in Rural Settings

BackgroundA major challenge after successful weight loss is continuing the behaviors required for long-term weight maintenance. This challenge can be exacerbated in rural areas with limited local support resources.ObjectiveThis study describes and compares program costs and cost effectiveness for 12-month extended-care lifestyle maintenance programs after an initial 6-month weight-loss program.DesignWe conducted a 1-year prospective randomized controlled clinical trial.Participants/settingThe study included 215 female participants age 50 years or older from rural areas who completed an initial 6-month lifestyle program for weight loss. The study was conducted from June 1, 2003 to May 31, 2007.InterventionThe intervention was delivered through local Cooperative Extension Service offices in rural Florida. Participants were randomly assigned to a 12-month extended-care program using either individual telephone counseling (n=67), group face-to-face counseling (n=74), or a mail/control group (n=74).Main outcome measuresProgram delivery costs, weight loss, and self-reported health status were directly assessed through questionnaires and program activity logs. Costs were estimated across a range of enrollment sizes to allow inferences beyond the study sample.Statistical analyses performedNonparametric and parametric tests of differences across groups for program outcomes were combined with direct program cost estimates and expected value calculations to determine which scales of operation favored alternative formats for lifestyle maintenance.ResultsMedian weight regain during the intervention year was 1.7 kg for participants in the face-to-face format, 2.1 kg for the telephone format, and 3.1 kg for the mail/control format. For a typical group size of 13 participants, the face-to-face format had higher fixed costs, which translated into higher overall program costs ($420 per participant) when compared with individual telephone counseling ($268 per participant) and control ($226 per participant) programs. Although the net weight lost after the 12-month maintenance program was higher for the face-to-face and telephone programs compared with the control group, the average cost per expected kilogram of weight lost was higher for the face-to-face program ($47/kg) compared with the other two programs (approximately $33/kg for telephone and control).ConclusionsBoth the scale of operations and local demand for programs are important considerations in selecting a delivery format for lifestyle maintenance. In this study, the telephone format had a lower cost but similar outcomes compared with the face-to-face format.     

Validation of Two Food Frequency Questionnaires for Dietary Calcium Assessment

Easily utilized questionnaires estimating dietary calcium intake would be a valuable asset to promoting skeletal health as well as a helpful research tool. Two calcium questionnaires, one online and one printed, were each compared with dietary calcium intake measured by a 3-day diet record. Women completed the questionnaires in a randomized order and kept a 3-day food record at home, returning it by mail. The ethnicity of the 140 female study participants was 102 white, 12 African American, 16 Asian, and 10 Latina. The mean age (±standard deviation) was 49±15 years, with a range of 22.7 to 89.9 years. Measures used included an online calcium quiz, a printed calcium food frequency questionnaire, and one 3-day diet record. Data analysis was done using Pearson correlation coefficients. Sub-analyses were conducted by ethnicity. The correlation between each questionnaire and the daily calcium intake from the diet records was 0.37, P<0.001. Among the ethnic subgroups, the correlations were highest for African-American women, followed by white women. There was also a trend toward higher correlations in younger women. These simple calcium assessment tools, taking fewer than 5 minutes to complete, have correlation values with diet records similar to more complex food frequency questionnaires reported in the literature. These questionnaires may provide valuable tools to estimate calcium intake in research, clinical, and community settings.     

Self-Administered Questionnaires versus Face-to-Face Interviews in Assessing Sexual Behavior in Young Women

Effects of mode of assessment, person, and situational variables on the accuracy of self-reports of sexual behavior remain uncertain. To evaluate these influences, 190 young women completed measures of erotophilia and social desirability and then monitored their health-related behaviors with a diary for 8 weeks. They returned on two occasions to complete either a face-to-face interview (FTFI) or a self-administered questionnaire (SAQ) regarding their behavior over the same interval. To check the apparent accuracy of participants' retrospective self-reports, a difference score was calculated by subtracting responses obtained on the FTFI or SAQ from the diary card. Results indicated that both modes of assessment were reliable; reliability did not differ as a function of mode of assessment. However, SAQs elicited less discrepant responses for protected vaginal sex; SAQ and FTFI reports for unprotected sexual behaviors were equivalent. Situational and person variables did not predict accuracy scores, which were impaired at higher frequencies of behavior. Results suggest that both modes of assessment were reliable and SAQs may be more accurate for some sexual behaviors.     

Survey of the Diet of Pima Indians Using Quantitative Food Frequency Assessment and 24-Hour Recall

Objective A dietary survey was conducted in the Gila River Indian Community in Arizona using two methods of dietary assessment — 24-hour recall and quantitative food frequency (QFF) assessment — to determine the usual intake of the population.Design Interviews were conducted by Pima women who were trained and monitored by a research dietitian. Energy and nutrient intake were calculated using a computerized dietary database that included specific Pima foods.Subjects An age- and sex-stratified sample of 575 Pima Indians (273 men, 302 women) aged 18 to 74 years participated in the study.Statistical analyses Spearman correlations were used to compare the results of the two survey methods for energy and each nutrient. Intraclass correlations were used to measure reproducibility.Results According to the 24-hour recall, mean reported energy intakes within decades of age were 95% to 112% of those in the US population for Pima women, and 76% to 94% of those in the US population for Pima men. Total energy intake assessed using QFF was 30% higher in men and 33% higher in women than the intake assessed using the 24-hour recall method.Conclusions A large dietary survey conducted using lay interviewers in a Native-American community was as reproducible as studies conducted in the general US population. The Pima diet was distributed among the major nutrients in a proportion similar to the US diet. J Am Diet Assoc. 1996; 96:778–784.     

用简化的食物频率询问法进行膳食评价

用简化的食物频率询问法,对河南省南阳市及安徽少年 安庆市的１２２３４名农村４０岁及以上中老年人的膳食进行调查,经过培训的熟练调查员约用８～１０分钟即可地一名对象的询问。所得到的食物及营养素摄入量,能代表调查对象的日常膳食摄入情况。对评价营养与慢性病的关系更有意义。此方法适于大规模的个体膳食调查。但要注意地区聚类食物成分表的编制、数据库的建立、调查员的培训及调查对象的配合等问题。     

对口腔患者进行电话回访的需求及效果观察

目的：探讨对口腔患者进行电话回访的需求及效果.方法：选取 2011 年 9 月 -2012 年 3 月本院的 1200 例 VIP 客户为研究对象,对其对电话回访服务的需求程度进行调查,并对其采用电话服务前后的满意程度和总满意率进行调查研究.结果：所有患者对于跟踪服务、提醒服务及预约服务的需求程度均较高,而采用电话回访服务后的对跟踪服务、提醒服务及预约服务的非常需求率、满意率、按时就诊率、主动咨询率明显高于采用电话回访服务前,差异有统计学意义 （P〈0.05）.结论：口腔患者对电话回访的需求程度较高,进行电话回访后患者的满意率和按时就诊率得到大幅度提升,具有较高的临床价值.     

A Comparison of Audio Computer-Assisted Self-Interviews to Face-to-Face Interviews of Sexual Behavior Among Perinatally HIV-Exposed Youth

Computer-assisted interview methods are increasingly popular in the assessment of sensitive behaviors (e.g., substance abuse and sexual behaviors). It has been suggested that the effect of social desirability is diminished when answering via computer, as compared to an interviewer-administered face-to-face (FTF) interview, although studies exploring this hypothesis among adolescents are rare and yield inconsistent findings. This study compared two interview modes among a sample of urban, ethnic-minority, perinatally HIV-exposed U.S. youth (baseline = 148 HIV+, 126 HIV−, ages 9–16 years; follow-up = 120 HIV+, 110 HIV−, ages 10–19 years). Participants were randomly assigned to receive a sexual behavior interview via either Audio Computer-Assisted Self-Interview (ACASI) or FTF interview. The prevalence of several sexual behaviors and participants’ reactions to the interviews were compared. Although higher rates of sexual behaviors were typically reported in the ACASI condition, the differences rarely reached statistical significance, even when limited to demographic subgroups—except for gender. Boys were significantly more likely to report several sexual behaviors in the ACASI condition compared to FTF, whereas among girls no significant differences were found between the two conditions. ACASI-assigned youth rated the interview process as easier and more enjoyable than did FTF-assigned youth, and this was fairly consistent across subgroup analyses as well. We conclude that these more positive reactions to the ACASI interview give that methodology a slight advantage, and boys may disclose more sexual behavior when using computer-assisted interviews.     

凉果类食物频率问卷的信度和效度研究

目的评价凉果类食物频率问卷(FFQ)的信度和效度,为凉果添加剂暴露的风险评估提供调查工具。方法随机抽取广东省两所大学的1～4年级222名在校女大学生,通过两次凉果FFQ调查(间隔期1年)检验FFQ的重测信度;同时以30天记录法(30-DR)作为参考方法,检验FFQ的效度。结果六类凉果两次月摄入量之间的Spearson相关系数分布在在0.14～0.76之间,合计总信度为0.64;两次年摄入量之间的Spearson相关系数在0.59～0.88之间,合计总信度为0.92。FFQ与30-DR两种方法测量的六类凉果摄入量经Wilcoxon检测均无统计学意义(P>0.05),两种方法所测得的凉果摄入量之间的Pearson相关系数分布在0.75～0.96之间,六类合计为0.83。结论本项目所设计的凉果FFQ具有较好的信度和效度,能作为一种有效的检测工具应用于凉果添加剂的暴露评估。     

Evaluation of a Quantitative Food Frequency Questionnaire for 5-Year-Old Children in an Asian Population

BackgroundFood frequency questionnaires (FFQs) are often used to assess dietary intakes due to their ability to assess intake over extended periods, their low respondent burden, and their cost-effectiveness. A quantitative FFQ that includes locally appropriate food items for 5-year-old children in a multiethnic Asian population was developed, but its validity has not previously been evaluated.ObjectiveTo evaluate the relative validity of a newly developed FFQ as a dietary assessment tool for 5-year-old children in a multiethnic Asian population.DesignThe 112 –food item FFQ was administered by trained interviewers to caregivers of children. Frequency of food items consumed in the previous month and portion size information were collected. The FFQs were evaluated against 3-day nonweighed diet records (DRs) completed by caregivers.Participants/settingThe dietary data of 361 children aged 5 years from the Growing Up in Singapore Towards Healthy Outcomes mother-offspring cohort were collected in 2015-2016.Main outcome measuresNutrients of interest included energy, macronutrients, fiber, cholesterol, vitamin A, beta carotene, calcium, and iron, calculated from the FFQs and DRs.Statistical analyses performedNutrient intakes according to FFQs in relation to DRs were assessed using Pearson’s correlation, Lin’s concordance, Bland-Altman plots, quintile joint classification, and Cohen’s κ statistics.ResultsThe highest energy-adjusted correlation (Pearson’s r=0.71) and concordance (Lin’s concordance=0.69) were observed for calcium. Fiber, saturated fat, polyunsaturated fatty acids (PUFA), cholesterol, and iron also showed correlation coefficients and concordance of at least 0.40. Bland-Altman plots suggested no substantial bias across ranges of intakes for the nutrients with correlations and concordance of 0.40 or above. Quintiles joint classification showed substantial agreement for calcium (κ=0.66), and moderate agreement for iron, fiber, saturated fat, polyunsaturated fat, and beta carotene (κ=0.59, 0.54, 0.49, 0.44, 0.43, respectively).ConclusionsThe newly developed FFQ is in reasonable agreement with DR for estimating intakes of calcium, fiber, saturated fat, PUFA, cholesterol, and iron. In addition, the FFQ is able to classify children according to quintiles of nutrient intakes, with moderate to substantial quintile agreements between FFQ and DR for calcium, iron, fiber, saturated fat, PUFA, and beta carotene. To assess the remaining nutrients, DR method is recommended instead of the FFQ.     

电话回访式健康教育对脑卒中患者预后的影响

目的探讨电话回访式健康教育对脑卒中患者预后的影响。方法对我院确诊的120例脑卒中患者出院后随机分为对照组和试验组。对60例试验组患者及其家属出院后一周至6个月实施有目的、有计划、有组织的回访式健康教育,并对完成回访的患者进行复发情况分析。结果出院后6个月试验组60例中22例得到有效控制,总有效率95%,明显高于对照组76.7%,两组预后具有差异性(P<0.01)。结论电话回访式健康教育能显著提高脑卒中患者的依从性,使病人增进健康知识,消除或减少危险因素,降低发病率、伤残率和病死率,提高生活质量,并加深了护患之间的感情,如遇到不适便能主动咨询。电话回访是一种开放式健康教育的良好模式,其方式经济、快捷、方便,特别是对于居住在偏僻地区的人群,患者更加乐于接受。     

Evidence-Based Development of a Mobile Telephone Food Record

Mobile telephones with an integrated camera can provide a unique mechanism for collecting dietary information that reduces burden on record-keepers. Objectives for this study were to test whether participant's proficiency with the mobile telephone food record improved after training and repeated use and to measure changes in perceptions regarding use of the mobile telephone food record after training and repeated use. Seventy-eight adolescents (26 males, 52 females) ages 11 to 18 years were recruited to use the mobile telephone food record for one or two meals. Proficiency with the mobile telephone food record was defined as capturing a useful image for image analysis and self-reported ease of use. Positive changes in perceptions regarding use of the mobile telephone food record were assumed to equate to potentially improved proficiency with the mobile telephone food record. Participants received instruction for using the mobile telephone food record prior to their first meal, and captured an image of their meals before and after eating. Following the first meal, participants took part in an interactive session where they received additional training on capturing images in various snacking situations and responded to questions about user preferences. Changes in the participants' abilities to capture useful images and perceptions about the usability of the mobile telephone food record were examined using McNemar, Wilcoxon rank-sum test, and paired t test. After using the mobile telephone food record, the majority of participants (79%) agreed that the software was easy to use. Eleven percent of participants agreed taking images before snacking would be easy. After additional training, the percent increased significantly to 32% (P<0.0001). For taking images after snacking, there was also improvement (21% before training and 43% after; P<0.0001). Adolescents readily adopt new technologies; however, the mobile telephone food record design needs to accommodate the lifestyles of its users to ensure useful images and continuous use. Further, these results suggest that additional training in using a new technology may improve the accuracy among users.     

Assessment of Pre-Pregnancy Dietary Intake with a Food Frequency Questionnaire in Alberta Women

Purpose: Pre-pregnancy is an under-examined and potentially important time to optimize dietary intake to support fetal growth and development as well as maternal health. The purpose of the study was to determine the extent to which dietary intake reported by non-pregnant women is similar to pre-pregnancy dietary intake reported by pregnant women using the same assessment tool. Methods: The self-administered, semi-quantitative food frequency questionnaire (FFQ) was adapted from the Canadian version of the Diet History Questionnaire, originally developed by the National Cancer Institute in the United States. Pregnant women (n = 98) completed the FFQ which assessed dietary intake for the year prior to pregnancy. Non-pregnant women (n = 103) completed the same FFQ which assessed dietary intake for the previous year. Energy, macronutrients, and key micronutrients: long-chain omega-3 fatty acids, folate, vitamin B₆, vitamin B₁₂, calcium, vitamin D and iron were examined. Results: Dietary intake between groups; reported with the FFQ; was similar except for saturated fat; trans fat; calcium; and alcohol. Pregnant women reported significantly higher intakes of saturated fat; trans fat; and calcium and lower intake of alcohol in the year prior to pregnancy compared to non-pregnant women who reported intake in the previous year. Conclusions: Despite limitations; a FFQ may be used to assist with retrospective assessment of pre-pregnancy dietary intake.     

Telephone vs face-to-face interviewing in a community psychiatric survey.

This study compared telephone with face-to-face interviewing in a community psychiatric survey. Two groups of women were investigated, Holocaust survivors and Europe-born respondents who were in prestate Israel during World War II. Both were administered the Psychiatric Research Interview Demoralization Scale and a short item scale investigating World War II experiences. Results showed a high compliance rate to the telephone mode. The subjects' scores in the two modes were highly correlated. Telephone interviewing seems to be a reliable and efficient method in areas with a well-developed network of subscribers.     

Food security vs. nutrition security

This article presents the status of food security versus nutrition security in India. Food security is defined as the availability and the access of food to all people; whereas nutrition security demands the intake of a wide range of foods which provides the essential needed nutrients. It is estimated that the average dietary intake in India is 2280 calories. In 9 major states, the average was less than 2400 calories, suggesting poverty. In a 1988-90 survey, only 10% of the children, and about 50% of the adults, were considered to have a normal nutritional status. The rest suffered from different levels of Chronic Energy Deficiency. In addition, contradictions have also developed within policies in India that seek to address these issues. Recognizing that agriculture is the key to poverty eradication, India recently drafted the Agriculture Policy. The Policy focuses on rain-fed farming, unemployment, and malnutrition in rural areas, revitalizing the cooperatives, and increasing the involvement of nongovernmental organizations. However, there are certain issues of concern in the Policy with the most damaging aspect seen in the promotion of existing inequalities in the rural sector.