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Population-based cohort development in Alberta, Canada:
A feasibility study - View
Abstract
Heather Bryant, Paula J Robson, Ruth Ullman,
Christine Friedenreich and Ursula Dawe
Patients' opinions on privacy, consent and the
disclosure of health information for medical research -
View Abstract
Stacey A
Page and Ian Mitchell
Statistical disease cluster surveillance of medically
treated self-inflicted injuries in Alberta, Canada -
View Abstract
Rhonda J
Rosychuk, Cynthia Yau, Ian Colman, Don Schopflocher and Brian H
Rowe
The impact of a quit smoking contest on smoking
behaviour in Ontario - View Abstract
Fredrick D Ashbury,
Cathy Cameron, Christine Finlan, Robin Holmes, Ethylene Villareal,
Yves Décoste, Tanya Kulnies, Claudia Swoboda-Geen and Boris
Kralj
Trends in mortality from ischemic heart disease in
Canada, 1986–2000 - View
Abstract
Jinfu Hu, Chris Waters, Ann-Marie Ugnat,
Jonathan Horne, Ian Szuto, Marie Desmeules and Howard Morrison
Chronic Diseases in Canada (CDIC) is a quarterly scientific journal focussing on current evidence relevant to the control and prevention of chronic (i.e. non-communicable) diseases and injuries in Canada. Since 1980 the journal has published a unique blend of peer-reviewed feature articles by authors from the public and private sectors and which may include research from such fields as epidemiology, public/community health, biostatistics, the behavioural sciences, and health services or economics. Only feature articles are peer reviewed. Authors retain responsibility for the content of their articles; the opinions expressed are not necessarily those of the CDIC editorial committee nor of the Public Health Agency of Canada.
Authors: Heather Bryant, Paula J Robson, Ruth Ullman, Christine Friedenreich and Ursula Dawe
Abstract:
In a climate of increasing privacy
concerns, the feasibility of establishing new cohorts to examine
chronic disease etiology has been debated. Our primary aim was to
ascertain the feasibility of enrolling a geographically dispersed,
population-based cohort in Alberta. We also examined whether
enrolees would grant access to provincial health care utilization
data and consider providing blood for future analysis. Using random
digit dialling, 22,652 men and women aged 35 to 69 years, without
diagnosed cancer, were recruited. Of these, 52.4 percent (N=11,865)
enrolled; 84 percent of Alberta communities were represented.
Approximately 97 percent of enrolees consented to linkage with
health care data, and 91 percent indicated willingness to consider
future blood sampling. Comparisons between the cohort and the
Canadian Community Health Survey (Cycle 1.1) for Alberta
demonstrated similarities in marital status and income. However,
the cohort had a smaller proportion who had not finished high
school, a greater proportion of nonsmokers and a higher prevalence
of obesity. These findings indicate that establishment of a
geographically dispersed cohort is feasible in the Canadian
context, and that data linkage and biomarker studies may be
viable.
Authors: Stacey A Page and Ian Mitchell
Abstract:
A structured survey of patients in
three illness groups (acquired immune deficiency syndrome, multiple
sclerosis and mental disorders) was undertaken to describe
patients' perspectives on privacy, consent and the use of their
health information for medical research. The survey was distributed
by mail to subjects in the AIDS and MS groups and was completed in
a clinic waiting room by people in the mental disorders group. Of
the 478 patients approached for participation, 235 returned
completed surveys (response rate 49.2 percent). Most subjects were
concerned about privacy and they valued opportunities to provide
consent for the use of their personal health information for
research. Contextual factors, such as identification, type of
illness and who was conducting the research, were important to
individuals' preferences in granting consent. When health
information was used specifically for research, the majority of
subjects wanted to be asked for their consent unless anonymity was
assured. Privacy and control over personal health information were
important to patients in these groups. Patients prefer to be asked
for research access to their health information.
Authors: Rhonda J Rosychuk, Cynthia Yau, Ian Colman, Don Schopflocher and Brian H Rowe
Abstract:
Routine surveillance of cases of
disease can highlight geographic regions that need further study
and intervention. Statistical disease cluster detection methods are
one way to statistically assess the number of cases in
administrative areas. Traditionally, disease cluster detection
methods are used to monitor the incident cases of disease. We
review a statistical cluster detection method that is applicable
for regions with diverse administrative area population sizes. We
apply the method to assess clustering of self-inflicted injury
presentations to emergency departments in Alberta, Canada. Analyses
focus on the pediatric population and are adjusted by the age and
gender distributions of subregional health authorities. Fifteen
clusters of self-inflicted injuries are identified and, based on
age and gender distributions, the clusters are not likely chance
occurrences. We believe that these clusters represent areas of
excessive self-inflicted injury and that special intervention
programs should be considered.
Authors: Fredrick D Ashbury, Cathy Cameron, Christine Finlan, Robin Holmes, Ethylene Villareal, Yves Décoste, Tanya Kulnies, Claudia Swoboda-Geen and Boris Kralj
Abstract:
Community-based smoking cessation
initiatives target large numbers of people, are highly visible and
have the potential for great impact. Ontario's Quit Smoking
(2002) Contest was evaluated one year after its implementation to
measure behaviour change among adult smokers participating in the
contest. The registration database of 15,521 contest participants
provided the basis for a random sample of 700 participants
throughout Ontario who were contacted for a follow-up telephone
survey. A total of 347 surveys were completed, of which 60 percent
were women. Almost one third (31.4 percent) of the survey
respondents reported that they had not smoked since the start of
the contest. Participation in the contest also may have delayed
relapse by as much as five months for 31.3 percent of respondents
who resumed smoking. Older respondents, men, those who had
previously attempted to quit and people who said their cessation
“buddy” was helpful were more likely to stop
smoking.
Authors: Jinfu Hu, Chris Waters, Ann-Marie Ugnat, Jonathan Horne, Ian Szuto, Marie Desmeules and Howard Morrison
Abstract:
This study examined trends in
ischemic heart disease (IHD) mortality rates in Canada from 1986 to
2000, including analyses at the county level. The study population
comprised Canadians aged 35 and over. Age-standardized mortality
rates (ASMRs) were computed. Linear regression and Poisson
regression were used to calculate average annual percentage change
(AAPC) by age, sex, county and province. A substantial decrease in
mortality rates was observed in those aged 35 and over for both
sexes; the AAPC indicated a decline of 3.44 percent for males and
3.42 percent for females. The ASMRs were plotted for three time
periods; the rates increased with each successive age group and
decreased with each consecutive time period for both sexes. A
significant decline in the IHD mortality rate was found in 47.2
percent and 46.9 percent of the counties among males and females,
respectively; those counties had a statistically significant lower
prevalence of daily smoking in both genders, and obese in females
only. Only two counties showed a significant increase in the ASMRs
of IHD in males and females, respectively. Enhanced prevention and
control strategies should be considered to address IHD in countries
where more modest decreases (or no decrease at all) in IHD
mortality have been observed.