Submitted by Rosivalda Pereira (mrs.pereira@ufma.br) on 2017-05-19T19:02:41Z No. of bitstreams: 1 SilviaMariaCostaAmorim.pdf: 957239 bytes, checksum: b98502fdc52522d7a931ae44f18b1454 (MD5) / Made available in DSpace on 2017-05-19T19:02:41Z (GMT). No. of bitstreams: 1 SilviaMariaCostaAmorim.pdf: 957239 bytes, checksum: b98502fdc52522d7a931ae44f18b1454 (MD5) Previous issue date: 2016-12-01 / Introduction: The More Health Program (Programa Mais Médicos – PMM) for Brazil was created in order to reduce professional shortage in the regions with the greatest need and vulnerability and invest in training and qualification of all the professionals involved. In Maranhão, the program included 558 professionals until the 8th cycle in nineteen regions of health. Objective: analyze the evolution of health indicators with the implementation of PMM to Brazil in Maranhão municipalities. Methods: This was an ecological study, temporal, descriptive and analytical series. Secondary data will be analyzed, aggregated to the municipal level, through means (± standard deviations) if the variables have normal distribution, or median (± interquartile deviations) for variables with asymmetric distribution. To assess the normality of the distribution will be considered histograms, box-plots, skewness coefficient, kurtosis and the Kolmogorov-Smirnov test. Correlations between the n° of PMM physicians and the study variables were estimated by Spearman correlation coefficient (R). To test differences in health indicators with the implementation of PMM were estimated regression coefficients (β) in linear regression analysis of mixed effects, with hierarchical modeling (alpha = 5%). Results: 214 municipalities have received at least one doctor from PMM until the eighth cycle. Of these, seven in Special Indigenous Health District. The majority received from 1-4 physicians. Maranhão went from 0.58 to 0.67 physicians / 100 inhabitants. Most benefited municipalities had poverty profile (74.67%) and were between 10,000 and 50,000 inhabitants. There was a significant correlation between the number of PMM doctors deployed in municipalities with the following structure variables: Numbers of Basic Health Units (BHU) in construction (R = 0.115), average doctors / staff (R = 0.475), doctors in Primary Health Care (PHC) / 3000 inhabitants (R = 0.194), % BHU opening in minimum time (R = 0.127), % BHU that supply ≥75% of vaccines of the basic calendar (R = 0298), % BHU to offer rapid tests (R = 0.137) and % BHU that has minimal structure for Telehealth (R = 0491). There was no correlation with the working process variables (P> 0.05). There was also correlation with three variables expressing outcome – prenatal exam in pregnant women (R = 0.134). After adjustment of the models, remained associated with the number of implanted in PMM only one structure variable (number of BHU under construction: β = 0.188, P = 0.035) and one indicator of work process (% of family health team with access to telehealth in the city (β = 0.175, P = 0.008). Conclusion. Despite advances harmonized by the program, such as increased physician / inhabitant ratio and distribution of physicians to locations with greater vulnerability, remain the shortage of professionals and care empty. It is noticeable impact on rehabilitation of BHU and improving access to telehealth. / Introdução. O Programa Mais Médicos (PMM) foi criado com objetivo de diminuir a carência profissional nas regiões com maior necessidade e vulnerabilidade com o provimento de médicos e investimento na formação e na qualificação do conjunto dos profissionais envolvidos. No Maranhão, foram incluídos pelo programa 419 profissionais, até o 4º ciclo, nas dezenove regiões de saúde. Objetivo. Analisar a evolução de indicadores de estrutura, processo de trabalho e resultados com a implantação do PMM em municípios maranhenses. Métodos. Trata-se de um estudo ecológico, de série temporal, descritivo e analítico. Foram analisados dados secundários, agregados para o nível do município, por meio de médias (± desvios padrão), caso as variáveis tenham distribuição normal, ou mediana (± desvios interquartílicos), para variáveis com distribuição assimétrica. Para avaliar a normalidade da distribuição foram considerados histogramas, box-plots, coeficiente de assimetria, curtose e o teste de Kolmogorov-Smirnov. Correlações o nº de médicos do PMM e as variáveis do estudo foram estimadas pelo coeficiente de correlação de Spearman (R). Para testar diferenças nos indicadores de saúde com a implantação do PMMB, foram estimados coeficientes de regressão (β) em análises de regressão linear de efeitos mistos, com modelagem hierarquizada (Alpha=5%). Resultados. 214 municípios receberam pelo menos um médico do PMM. Destes, sete em Distritos Especiais de Saúde Indígena. A maior parte recebeu entre 1-4 médicos. O Maranhão passou de 0,58 para 0,67 médicos/1000 habitantes. Municípios mais beneficiados possuíam perfil de pobreza (74,67%) e tinham entre 10.000 e 50.000 habitantes. Houve correlação significativa entre o número de médicos do PMM implantados nos municípios com as seguintes variáveis de estrutura: nº de Unidades Básicas de Saúde (UBS) em reforma (R=0,115), média de médicos/equipe (R=0,475), médicos da Ateção Básica em Saúde (ABS) / 3000 hab. (R=0,194), %UBS que abre em horário mínimo (R=0,127), %UBS que oferta ≥75% das vacinas do calendário básico (R=0,298), %UBS que oferta os testes rápidos (R=0,137) e %UBS que possui estrutura mínima p/Telessaúde (R=0,491). Não houve correlação com as variáveis de processo de trabalho (P>0,05). Houve ainda correlação com três variáveis que expressam resultado/impacto: Exame de pré-natal em gestantes (R=0,134), Nº de óbitos infantis (R=0,209) e Nº de óbitos maternos (R=0,193). Após ajuste dos modelos, permaneceram associadas com o número de médicos implantados no PMM apenas uma variável de estrutura (Nº de UBS em construção: β=0,188; P=0,035); uma de processo de trabalho (% de equipes de saúde da família com acesso ao Telessaúde no município: β=0,175; P=0,008) e uma de resultado (Nº de óbitos infantis: β=0,354; P=0,013). Conclusão. Apesar dos avanços harmonizados pelo Programa, como o aumento da razão médico/habitante e a distribuição dos médicos para localidades com maior vulnerabilidade, permanecem a escassez de profissionais e os vazios assistenciais. É perceptível o impacto na requalificação das UBS e a melhoria do acesso ao Telessaúde.

<p>Prema literaturnim podacima poslednjih godina velika pažnja je usmerena ka operativnom riziku i mortalitetu koji su postali najvažniji kriterijumi u ocenama rezultata rada hirur&scaron;kih ustanova, ali i svakog hirurga posebno. Zahvaljujući kompleksnom profilu pacijenata koji se podvrgavaju hirur&scaron;kim intervencijama, precizna procena operativnog rizika postaje sve teža. Predikcija ishoda intervencije u najvećoj meri zavisi od preoperativnih faktora rizika. Ipak, neminovno je da i faktori koji su vezani za samu operaciju u određenom stepenu utiču na ishod hirur&scaron;ke intervencije. Shodno tome, dobar model za procenu rizika treba da obuhvati faktore koji će imati najbolju prediktivnu vrednost. Thoracoscore je prvi bodovni sistem razvijen od strane Francuskog udruženja grudnih i vaskularinih hiruga. Zbog nedovoljne primene tokom poslednje decenije i nekonzistentnih rezultata nije do&scaron;lo do &scaron;irokog međunarodnog prihvatanja ovog modela i njegove rutinske upotrebe. Ova činjenica ukazuje na nedostake samog modela i potrebu za rekalibracijom u cilju postizanja bolje saglasnosti između predikcije operativnog rizika i kliničkog stanja bolesnika. Cilj rada je bio da se ustanovi realna vrednost Thoracoscore bodovnog sistema u proceni operativnog rizika i mortaliteta nakon anatomskih i neanatomskih resekcija pluća u na&scaron;im uslovima, i da se utvrdi prediktivna vrednost faktora rizika koji nisu obuhvaćeni Thoracoscore bodovnim sistemom na ishod grudno-hirur&scaron;kih operacija. Istraživanje je sprovedeno po tipu prospektivne kliničke studije i obuhvatilo je 957 bolesnika operisanih na Klinici za grudnu hirurgiju Instituta za plućne bolesti Vojvodine. Izvr&scaron;ene hirur&scaron;ke procedure bile su anatomske resekcije (lobektomija, bilobektomija, pneumonektomija, Sleeve resekcija, segmentektomija) i neanatomske resekcije pluća (Wedge resekcija i druge atipične resekcije). Thoracoscore je izračunat za svakog bolesnika na osnovu devet parametara: godine starosti, pol, ASA skor, dispnea skor, procena op&scaron;teg stanja bolesnika, dijagnostička grupa, hitnost operacije, vrsta operacije i broj komorbiditeta. S obzirom da prediktivna vrednost Thoracoscore bodovnog sistema u proceni operativnog rizika nije bila adekvatna realnom stanju, regresionom analizom je evaluiran značaj tri nova faktora: forsirani ekspiratorni volumen u prvoj sekundi (FEV1), reoperacija i hirur&scaron;ki pristup (torakotomija, video-asistirana torakoskopija &ndash; VATS). Nakon &scaron;to je univarijantnom analizom potvrđeno da su ovi faktori nezavisni prediktori operativnog ishoda, originalni Thoracoscore model je rekalibrisan. Multivarijantnom analizom putem logističke regresije izračunati su novi beta koeficijenti za originalnih devet faktora, kao i za tri nova, te je kreiran lokalni model za procenu operativnog rizika koji je prilagođen na&scaron;oj populaciji. Prosečna starosti bolesnika bila je 62 &plusmn; 7,52 godina. Većinu uzorka (60,7%) činili su pripadnici mu&scaron;kog pola. Najveći broj resekcija činile su lobektomije (61,4%). Malignitet je bio najučestalija indikacija za operaciju (90,3%). Najveći broj bolesnika imao je 1-2 komorbiditeta (64,3%). Prosečna stopa operativnog rizika na osnovu Thoracoscore-a (4,7% ) bila je veća je od stvarnog (2,9%) intrahospitalnog mortalita (p&lt;0,01). Ovaj model je pokazao zadovoljavajuće rezultate jedino u grupi niskog rizika. Predikcija mortaliteta lokalnim modelom za procenu operativnog rizika u grudnoj hirurgiji se, u statističkom smislu, ne razlikuje od stvarnog mortaliteta (p = NS). Thoracoscore ima dobru diskriminativnu moć, ali nezadovoljavajuću kalibrisanost. Shodno tome, Thoracoscore model se može koristiti za stratifikaciju rizika, ali ne i za predikciju mortaliteta. Za razliku, lokalni model je pokazao dobru diskriminaciju i kalibrisanost u na&scaron;im uslovima. Interni model za procenu rizika bi bio od velike koristi u svakodnevnom kliničkom radu, budući da bi oslikavao realno stanje populacije u kojoj je razvijen i vr&scaron;io preciznu predikciju operativnog rizika.</p> / <p>According to the literature data, over the past several years, great attention has been focused on operative risk and mortality which have become the most important criteria in evaluating the results from surgical departments and individual surgeons, as well. Because of complex profiles of patients undergoing surgical interventions, it is becoming more difficult to assess the risk precisely. Prediction of surgical outcomes mostly depends on the preoperative risk factors. However, factors related to the procedure itself effect the surgical outcome to a certain degree. Therefore, a good risk assessment model must contain factors which will have the best predictive value. Thoracoscore is the first scoring system developed by the French Association of Thoracic and Vascular Surgeons. Due to insufficient utilization over the past decade and inconsistent results, this model has not been widely accepted for routine use. This fact indicates that the model lacks certain aspects and needs to be recalibrated in order to achieve better concordance between the predicted operative risk and the clinical state of the patient. The aim of this study was to determine real value of Thoracoscore scoring system for estimation of operative risk and mortality following anatomic and non-anatomic lung resections in our settings, and to determine predictive value of factors not included in Thoracoscore on the outcome of thoracic surgeries. This prospective study included 957 patients who underwent lung resections at the Thoracic surgery clinic of Institute for Lung Diseases of Vojvodina. Performed surgical procedures were anatomic lung resections (lobectomy, bilobectomy, pneumonectomy, Sleeve resection, segmentectomy) and non-anatomic lung resections (Wedge resection and other atypical resections). Thoracoscore was calculated for each patient based on the following nine parameters: age, gender, ASA score, dyspnea score, performance status classification, diagnostic group, urgency of surgery, surgical procedure and number of comorbidities. Because predictive value of Thoracoscore did not correspond to the actual results, regression analysis was used to evaluate the significance of three new risk factors: forced expiratory volume in the first second (FEV1), reoperation, and surgical approach (thoracotomy, video-assisted thoracoscopy &ndash; VATS). After univariate analysis confirmed that these three factors are independent predictors of operative risk, the original Thoracoscore model was recalibrated. With the use of multivariate analysis by logistic regression, new beta coefficients were calculated for the original nine parameters, as well as for the new three, and consequently a local model for surgical risk assessment that is adapted to our population was created. Average age of patients was 62 &plusmn; 7.52 years. Most of the patients were males (60.7%). Lobectomies constituted the largest number (61.4%) of performed surgeries. The most common indications for surgery were malignant causes (90.3%). Most frequently, patients had 1-2 comorbidities (64.3%). Mean operative risk based on Thoracoscore (4.7%) was greater than the actual intrahospital mortality (2.9%) (p&lt;0.01). This model had adequate results only in the low risk group of patients. Predicted mortality by the local model was not statistically different from the actual mortality (p = NS). Thoracoscore had good discriminative ability, but inadequate calibration. Because of this, Thoracoscore model can be used for risk stratification, but not for mortality prediction. On the other hand, local model showed good discrimination and calibration in our population. Therefore, an internal model for risk assessment would be of great use in everyday clinical practice because it would reflect the real state of the population in which it was developed, predicting the risk more precisely.</p>

The oldest-old (people aged 80 or older) constituted 5 % of the population in Sweden in 2000, an increase from 1.5 % fifty years earlier. The immune system undergoes dramatic changes at high age, sometimes referred to as “immunosenescence”. However, the natures of these changes, and in particular, their clinical consequences are incompletely understood. In a previous longitudinal study, a set of immune parameters were identified and termed immune risk phenotype (IRP) because of an association with increased mortality. The IRP consists of changes in the T lymphocyte compartment, in particular an inverted CD4/CD8 ratio. The IRP was found to be associated with cytomegalovirus (CMV) infection, which through expansions of cytolytic anti-viral CD8 cell responses was ascribed a role in the development of IRP. The general aim of this thesis was to increase the knowledge of changes in the immune system and their clinical consequences in the oldest-old. The population-based random sample of the longitudinal NONA-Immune Study (n = 138, mean age 90 years at baseline) was used for all investigations. In paper I, the effects on sample size of various exclusion protocols for immune studies of the elderly was examined. The commonly used SENIEUR protocol, selecting individuals representing ‘normal ageing’, excluded 90 % of nonagenarians. Based on different protocol criteria, individuals were grouped into ‘very healthy’, ‘moderately healthy’ or ‘frail’. The prevalence of CMV was similar across the groups. Further, differentiated CD8 populations associated with CMV, i.e. those expressing CD56, CD57 and CD45RA while lacking expression of CD27 and CD28, were equally distributed across the groups of the oldest-old, but were, as expected, significantly increased in the elderly compared to a middle aged control group. The findings showed that lymphocyte subsets associated with IRP might serve as significant biomarkers of ageing independent of the overall health status, also supporting the notion that immunological studies of the oldest-old should be done in population-based non-selected populations. The IRP and the presence of low-grade inflammation, for example increase of   IL-6 in plasma, constitute major predictors of 2-year mortality in the oldest-old. In paper II, the CD4/CD8 ratio and IL-6 were found to predict 97 % of observed survival and 57 % of deaths over 2 years. The impact of IRP and IL-6 on 2-year survival was independent of age, sex and several diseases. The longitudinal design allowed temporal evaluations, suggesting a sequence of events starting with IRP and leading to inflammation in the decline state.                                      Four-year mortality in the oldest-old (paper III) was found to be mainly related to markers of inflammation and IRP. Individuals with both inverted CD4/CD8 ratio and high IL-6 level had significantly higher 4 year mortality (82 %) compared to individuals with CD4/CD8 ratio ³ 1 and low IL-6 level (29 %) at baseline. The presence of IRP and increased IL-6 level showed some associations with presence of diseases; in particular, IL6 was associated with the presence of cognitive impairment. However, despite being strong predictors of mortality, IRP and IL-6 could not be linked to any specific cause of death, probably due to the multi-factorial nature of these factors.                                                                                                                             The prevalence of antinuclear antibodies (ANA) in the oldest-old was higher compared to younger controls (paper IV). The difference across age was most pronounced in men, showing low levels at younger age, whereas the prevalence among the oldest-old men reached a similar level as in women. There was no association between the presence of ANA and IRP, CMV status or health status in the oldest-old.

Aquesta tesi avalua l'existència de diferencies per gènere en la relació entre discapacitat i mortalitat, i aspectes metodològics en l'anàlisi de supervivènciad'estudis de gent gran. Es van utilitzar les dades provinents d'una cohort de 1.315 subjectes amb edats superiors o iguals a 65 anys que van ser seguits durant un periode de 8 anys. La discapacitat es va mesurar mitjançant la capacitat que declarava l'individu per dur a terme activitats de la vida diària bàsiques. La discapacitat va evolucionar al llarg del temps empitjorant amb l'edat, però una proporció no menyspreable va ser capaç de recuperar-se. Es van observar diferències per gènere en l'evolució de la discapacitat: les dones tenien més dificultats en recuperar la seva capacitat funcional un cop esdevenien discapacitades. La força de l'associació entre la discapacitat i la mortalitat disminuia a edats avançades. Es van trobar diferencies per sexe: les dones depenents mostraven un risc de morir més alt que el homes depenents. Polítiques de salut dirigides a dones discapacitades haurien de ser implementades degut a la proporció més elevada de dones discapacitades, la probabilitat menor que tenen de recuperar la capacitat funcional, i el risc de morir més elevat que presenten comparat amb homes dicapacitats. / This thesis evaluates the existence of gender differences in the relationship between disability and mortality, as well as methodological aspects of the survival analysis for elderly studies. Data from a cohort of 1,315 subjects aged 65 years and older followed-up 8 years was used. Disability was assessed by self-reported difficulty to perform basic activities of daily living. Disability evolved over time worsening with age, but a non-negligible proportion was able to recover. There were gender differences in the evolution of disability: women were less able to regain functional capacity once they become disabled. The strength of the association between disability and mortality decreased in the older ages. But differences by gender were found: dependent elderly women showed a higher risk of dying compared to dependent men. Health policies focusing on disabled women should be implemented, due to the higher proportion of disabled women, the lower probability of regaining functional capacity, and their higher risk of dying compared to disabled men.

Introduction The beggars are one the most vulnerable and stigmatized groups in the European society and are determined to live in substandard conditions, characterized by lack of sanitation and overcrowdings, and bare the harsh weather conditions to earn their living. Often, they have limited access to healthcare and their lifestyle has a great impact upon their health. However, little is known about their own perceptions of their health and their strategies to keep it. Aim The aim was to explore the Romanian beggars’ perceptions of their health prior to and during begging, the perceived consequences of begging on their health, and their coping strategies to maintain health while begging in Uppsala, Sweden. Method Data was collected from 8 semi-structured interviews in Uppsala, Sweden during March 2015. The collected data was then analysed using manifest qualitative content analysis. Findings The Romanian beggars in Uppsala perceived their health status to be affected through their activity. Physical consequences involved developing new illnesses and conditions, but also aggravating previous health conditions, and mental consequences included degrading and marginalizing effects of begging, but also harassment from passersby. Access to healthcare in Sweden was limited and determined the beggars to develop alternative strategies for health management or to return to Romania for treatment.     Conclusion The health status was found to be both negatively and positively affected through complex interactions between the individual and the surrounding levels: social network, community, institutions and society. More attention should be given to this group from all levels to improve their health status.

Objective: To determine whether continuity of care (COC) reduces emergency department (ED) visits and/or readmission in adolescents with psychiatric disorders. Methods: A retrospective cohort of adolescents discharged with psychiatric disorder between April 1, 2002 and March 1, 2004 was identified using hospital administrative databases. Good COC was defined as at least one aftercare contact in 30 days. Confounding by patient characteristics was adjusted for by propensity-score-matching of good and poor COC adolescents. Cox PH was used to analyze time to outcome. Results: 48.77% of adolescents had good COC. 38.39% of adolescents had ED visit or readmission in the year post-discharge. Good COC increased risk of readmission (HR = 1.38 (1.14 – 1.66)), but not of ED visits (HR = 1.14 (0.95 – 1.37)). Conclusions: COC increased risk of readmission by 38% but did not increase risk of ED visits. These findings are contextualized. Implications to adolescent mental health service delivery are discussed.

Objective: To determine whether continuity of care (COC) reduces emergency department (ED) visits and/or readmission in adolescents with psychiatric disorders. Methods: A retrospective cohort of adolescents discharged with psychiatric disorder between April 1, 2002 and March 1, 2004 was identified using hospital administrative databases. Good COC was defined as at least one aftercare contact in 30 days. Confounding by patient characteristics was adjusted for by propensity-score-matching of good and poor COC adolescents. Cox PH was used to analyze time to outcome. Results: 48.77% of adolescents had good COC. 38.39% of adolescents had ED visit or readmission in the year post-discharge. Good COC increased risk of readmission (HR = 1.38 (1.14 – 1.66)), but not of ED visits (HR = 1.14 (0.95 – 1.37)). Conclusions: COC increased risk of readmission by 38% but did not increase risk of ED visits. These findings are contextualized. Implications to adolescent mental health service delivery are discussed.

Measuring socioeconomic position (SEP) in population chronic disease and risk factor surveillance systems is essential for monitoring changes in socioeconomic inequities in health over time. A life course approach in epidemiology considers the long-term effects of physical and social exposures during gestation, childhood, adolescence, and later adult life on health. Previous studies provide evidence that socioeconomic factors at different stages of the life course influence current health status. Measures of SEP during early life to supplement existing indicators of current SEP are required to more adequately explain the contribution of socioeconomic factors to health status and monitor health inequities. The aim of this thesis was to examine how a life course perspective could enhance the monitoring of SEP in chronic disease and risk factor surveillance systems. The thesis reviewed indicators of early life SEP used in previous research, determined indicators of early life SEP that may be useful in South Australian surveillance systems, and examined the association of SEP over the life course and self-rated health in adulthood across different population groups to demonstrate that inclusion of indicators of early life SEP in surveillance systems could allow health inequities to be monitored among socially mobile and stable groups. A variety of indicators, such as parents’ education level and occupation, and financial circumstances and living conditions during childhood, have been used in different study designs in many countries. Indicators of early life SEP used to monitor trends in the health and SEP of populations over time, and to analyse long-term effects of policies on the changing health of populations, need to be feasible to measure retrospectively, and relevant to the historical, geographical and sociocultural context in which the surveillance system is operating. Retrospective recall of various indicators of early life SEP was examined in a telephone survey of a representative South Australian sample of adults. The highest proportions of missing data were observed for maternal grandfather’s occupation, and mother’s and father’s highest education level. Family structure, housing tenure, and family financial situation when the respondent was aged ten, and mother and father’s main occupation had lower item non-response. Respondents with missing data on early life SEP indicators were disadvantaged in terms of current SEP compared to those who provided this information. The differential response to early life SEP questions according to current circumstances has implications for chronic disease surveillance examining the life course impact of socioeconomic disadvantage. While face-to-face surveys are considered the gold standard of interviewing techniques, computer-assisted telephone interviewing is often preferred for cost and convenience. Recall of father’s and mother’s highest education level in the telephone survey was compared to that obtained in a face-to-face interview survey. The proportion of respondents who provided information about their father’s and mother’s highest education level was significantly higher in the face-to-face interview than in the telephone interview. Survey mode, however, did not influence the finding that respondents with missing data for parents’ education were more likely to be socioeconomically disadvantaged. Alternative indicators of early life SEP, such as material and financial circumstances, are likely to be more appropriate than parents’ education for life course analyses of health inequities using surveillance data. Questions about family financial situation and housing tenure during childhood and adulthood asked in the cross-sectional telephone survey were used to examine the association of SEP over the life course with self-rated health in adulthood. Disadvantaged SEP during both childhood and adulthood and upward social mobility in financial situation were associated with a reduced prevalence of excellent or very good health, although this relationship varied across gender, rurality, and country of birth groups. Trend data from a chronic disease and risk factor surveillance system indicated that socioeconomic disadvantage in adulthood was associated with poorer self-rated health. The surveillance system, however, does not currently contain any measures of early life SEP. Overlaying the social mobility variables on the surveillance data indicated how inequities in health could be differentiated in greater detail if early life SEP was measured in addition to current SEP. Inclusion of life course SEP measures in surveillance will enable monitoring of health inequities trends among socially mobile and stable groups. Life course measures are an innovative way to supplement other SEP indicators in surveillance systems. Considerable information can be gained with the addition of a few questions. This will provide further insight into the determinants of health and illness and enable improved monitoring of the effects of policies and interventions on health inequities and intergenerational disadvantage. / http://proxy.library.adelaide.edu.au/login?url= http://library.adelaide.edu.au/cgi-bin/Pwebrecon.cgi?BBID=1367190 / Thesis (Ph.D.) - University of Adelaide, School of Population Health and Clinical Practice, 2009

Measuring socioeconomic position (SEP) in population chronic disease and risk factor surveillance systems is essential for monitoring changes in socioeconomic inequities in health over time. A life course approach in epidemiology considers the long-term effects of physical and social exposures during gestation, childhood, adolescence, and later adult life on health. Previous studies provide evidence that socioeconomic factors at different stages of the life course influence current health status. Measures of SEP during early life to supplement existing indicators of current SEP are required to more adequately explain the contribution of socioeconomic factors to health status and monitor health inequities. The aim of this thesis was to examine how a life course perspective could enhance the monitoring of SEP in chronic disease and risk factor surveillance systems. The thesis reviewed indicators of early life SEP used in previous research, determined indicators of early life SEP that may be useful in South Australian surveillance systems, and examined the association of SEP over the life course and self-rated health in adulthood across different population groups to demonstrate that inclusion of indicators of early life SEP in surveillance systems could allow health inequities to be monitored among socially mobile and stable groups. A variety of indicators, such as parents’ education level and occupation, and financial circumstances and living conditions during childhood, have been used in different study designs in many countries. Indicators of early life SEP used to monitor trends in the health and SEP of populations over time, and to analyse long-term effects of policies on the changing health of populations, need to be feasible to measure retrospectively, and relevant to the historical, geographical and sociocultural context in which the surveillance system is operating. Retrospective recall of various indicators of early life SEP was examined in a telephone survey of a representative South Australian sample of adults. The highest proportions of missing data were observed for maternal grandfather’s occupation, and mother’s and father’s highest education level. Family structure, housing tenure, and family financial situation when the respondent was aged ten, and mother and father’s main occupation had lower item non-response. Respondents with missing data on early life SEP indicators were disadvantaged in terms of current SEP compared to those who provided this information. The differential response to early life SEP questions according to current circumstances has implications for chronic disease surveillance examining the life course impact of socioeconomic disadvantage. While face-to-face surveys are considered the gold standard of interviewing techniques, computer-assisted telephone interviewing is often preferred for cost and convenience. Recall of father’s and mother’s highest education level in the telephone survey was compared to that obtained in a face-to-face interview survey. The proportion of respondents who provided information about their father’s and mother’s highest education level was significantly higher in the face-to-face interview than in the telephone interview. Survey mode, however, did not influence the finding that respondents with missing data for parents’ education were more likely to be socioeconomically disadvantaged. Alternative indicators of early life SEP, such as material and financial circumstances, are likely to be more appropriate than parents’ education for life course analyses of health inequities using surveillance data. Questions about family financial situation and housing tenure during childhood and adulthood asked in the cross-sectional telephone survey were used to examine the association of SEP over the life course with self-rated health in adulthood. Disadvantaged SEP during both childhood and adulthood and upward social mobility in financial situation were associated with a reduced prevalence of excellent or very good health, although this relationship varied across gender, rurality, and country of birth groups. Trend data from a chronic disease and risk factor surveillance system indicated that socioeconomic disadvantage in adulthood was associated with poorer self-rated health. The surveillance system, however, does not currently contain any measures of early life SEP. Overlaying the social mobility variables on the surveillance data indicated how inequities in health could be differentiated in greater detail if early life SEP was measured in addition to current SEP. Inclusion of life course SEP measures in surveillance will enable monitoring of health inequities trends among socially mobile and stable groups. Life course measures are an innovative way to supplement other SEP indicators in surveillance systems. Considerable information can be gained with the addition of a few questions. This will provide further insight into the determinants of health and illness and enable improved monitoring of the effects of policies and interventions on health inequities and intergenerational disadvantage. / http://proxy.library.adelaide.edu.au/login?url= http://library.adelaide.edu.au/cgi-bin/Pwebrecon.cgi?BBID=1367190 / Thesis (Ph.D.) - University of Adelaide, School of Population Health and Clinical Practice, 2009

Measuring socioeconomic position (SEP) in population chronic disease and risk factor surveillance systems is essential for monitoring changes in socioeconomic inequities in health over time. A life course approach in epidemiology considers the long-term effects of physical and social exposures during gestation, childhood, adolescence, and later adult life on health. Previous studies provide evidence that socioeconomic factors at different stages of the life course influence current health status. Measures of SEP during early life to supplement existing indicators of current SEP are required to more adequately explain the contribution of socioeconomic factors to health status and monitor health inequities. The aim of this thesis was to examine how a life course perspective could enhance the monitoring of SEP in chronic disease and risk factor surveillance systems. The thesis reviewed indicators of early life SEP used in previous research, determined indicators of early life SEP that may be useful in South Australian surveillance systems, and examined the association of SEP over the life course and self-rated health in adulthood across different population groups to demonstrate that inclusion of indicators of early life SEP in surveillance systems could allow health inequities to be monitored among socially mobile and stable groups. A variety of indicators, such as parents’ education level and occupation, and financial circumstances and living conditions during childhood, have been used in different study designs in many countries. Indicators of early life SEP used to monitor trends in the health and SEP of populations over time, and to analyse long-term effects of policies on the changing health of populations, need to be feasible to measure retrospectively, and relevant to the historical, geographical and sociocultural context in which the surveillance system is operating. Retrospective recall of various indicators of early life SEP was examined in a telephone survey of a representative South Australian sample of adults. The highest proportions of missing data were observed for maternal grandfather’s occupation, and mother’s and father’s highest education level. Family structure, housing tenure, and family financial situation when the respondent was aged ten, and mother and father’s main occupation had lower item non-response. Respondents with missing data on early life SEP indicators were disadvantaged in terms of current SEP compared to those who provided this information. The differential response to early life SEP questions according to current circumstances has implications for chronic disease surveillance examining the life course impact of socioeconomic disadvantage. While face-to-face surveys are considered the gold standard of interviewing techniques, computer-assisted telephone interviewing is often preferred for cost and convenience. Recall of father’s and mother’s highest education level in the telephone survey was compared to that obtained in a face-to-face interview survey. The proportion of respondents who provided information about their father’s and mother’s highest education level was significantly higher in the face-to-face interview than in the telephone interview. Survey mode, however, did not influence the finding that respondents with missing data for parents’ education were more likely to be socioeconomically disadvantaged. Alternative indicators of early life SEP, such as material and financial circumstances, are likely to be more appropriate than parents’ education for life course analyses of health inequities using surveillance data. Questions about family financial situation and housing tenure during childhood and adulthood asked in the cross-sectional telephone survey were used to examine the association of SEP over the life course with self-rated health in adulthood. Disadvantaged SEP during both childhood and adulthood and upward social mobility in financial situation were associated with a reduced prevalence of excellent or very good health, although this relationship varied across gender, rurality, and country of birth groups. Trend data from a chronic disease and risk factor surveillance system indicated that socioeconomic disadvantage in adulthood was associated with poorer self-rated health. The surveillance system, however, does not currently contain any measures of early life SEP. Overlaying the social mobility variables on the surveillance data indicated how inequities in health could be differentiated in greater detail if early life SEP was measured in addition to current SEP. Inclusion of life course SEP measures in surveillance will enable monitoring of health inequities trends among socially mobile and stable groups. Life course measures are an innovative way to supplement other SEP indicators in surveillance systems. Considerable information can be gained with the addition of a few questions. This will provide further insight into the determinants of health and illness and enable improved monitoring of the effects of policies and interventions on health inequities and intergenerational disadvantage. / http://proxy.library.adelaide.edu.au/login?url= http://library.adelaide.edu.au/cgi-bin/Pwebrecon.cgi?BBID=1367190 / Thesis (Ph.D.) - University of Adelaide, School of Population Health and Clinical Practice, 2009