Barcelona Health Survey Research Articles

Sociodemographic factors influencing participation in the Barcelona Health Survey study on serum concentrations of persistent organic pollutants

Background Little is known about factors affecting participation in population-based biomonitoring studies. We analyzed socioeconomic factors influencing participation in the Barcelona Health Survey (BHS) study on the distribution of serum concentrations of persistent organic pollutants (POPs). Methods After completing the BHS personal interview at home participants aged ⩾15 years were invited to donate blood. Conducted on a different date and location, the POPs study included additional questions, blood extraction, and a brief physical examination. Factors influencing participation were analyzed by logistic regression. Results Of 523 BHS participants that we contacted to participate in the study, 231 (44%) participated; they were broadly representative of the city population regarding sex, birth place, body mass index (BMI), employment status and occupational social class. Participants in the POPs study had higher educational level and family income. Controlling for confounders, participation was slightly higher among women than men (odds ratio [OR] = 1.38, p = 0.02), and lower among the youngest and oldest subjects ( p = 0.002), with a strong and monotonic trend of increasing participation with increasing educational level ( p < 0.001) (OR for university level vs. no studies = 4.58, 95% CI: 2.3–9.3). Conclusions Although participation was somewhat low, participants were similar to the city population regarding sex, BMI, birth place, employment, and occupational social class. Health surveys that integrate environmental biomarkers should invest specific resources to encourage participation of the youngest and oldest individuals, and of those with more disadvantaged socioeconomic position (particularly, citizens with lowest education).

Versión española del perfil de salud infantil, cuestionario para padres y madres: Child Health and Illness Profile-Child Edition Parent Report Form (CHIP-CE/PRF)

ObjectivesTo analyze the reliability and validity of the domains of the Child Health and Illness Profile-Child Edition Parent Report Form (CHIP-CE/PRF) included in the Barcelona Health Survey conducted in 2000 and to obtain populationbased reference values. MethodsData were obtained from proxy-respondent interviews of children aged 5-14 years old (n = 836) participating in the Barcelona Health Survey 2000. The 4 subdomains of the parent version of the CHIP-PRF included in the health survey were: «satisfaction with health», and physical discomfort, emotional discomfort, and limitation of activities of the «discomfort domain». Internal consistency was assessed using Cronbach's alpha coefficients. An exploratory factor analysis was carried out and analysis of covariance was performed to assess the construct validity of the subdomains. ResultsIn all the subdomains assessed, Cronbach's alpha was above 0.70 (range, 0.76-0.98). In the factorial analysis, almost all the items (31/35) presented the highest load in their corresponding subdomain. Most of the expected mean differences among groups were confirmed. Girls aged 10-14 years old scored the lowest, both in «satisfaction with health» (48.93; 95% confidence interval [CI 95%], 47.40-50.47) and in «discomfort » (48.87; CI 95%, 47.51-50.22). No differences were found according to the social class of the head of the family. ConclusionsThe present study provides a useful measure of perceived health status in a child health survey.

Desigualdades en la salud mental de la población ocupada

ObjectivesTo analyze inequalities in mental health in the working population by gender and professional qualifications and to identify psychosocial risk factors and employment conditions related to the mental health of this population. MethodsWe performed a cross-sectional study using data from the Barcelona Health Survey 2000. The working population aged 16–64 years (2322 men and 1836 women) was included. Mental health was measured with the General Health Questionnaire (GHQ-12). Adjusted odds ratios (aOR) and their 95% confidence intervals (CI) were calculated by means of multivariate logistic regression models separated by job qualifications and gender. ResultsThe prevalence of poor mental health ranged from 8% among men working in non-manual occupations to 19% in women working in manual jobs. Women were more likely to report poor mental health status than men, although sex differences were greater among manual workers (aOR = 2.26; 95%CI, 1.68–3.05 for women compared to men in the same group). Differences according to qualifications were found among women only (aOR = 1.58 [95%CI, 1.22–2.05] for women working in manual jobs compared to those working in non-manual jobs), while no differences were found among men according to qualifications. Psychosocial risk factors were associated with mental health: demand was associated in all groups, autonomy only in non-manual occupations, and social support only in the most highly qualified working women. Employment conditions such as working a split shift (working day with a long lunch break) or having a temporary contract were associated with mental health in manual occupations only. ConclusionsMental health among the working population is related to professional qualifications and gender. Women are at greater risk than men, especially those working in manual occupations. Psychosocial occupational factors are related to mental health status, showing different patterns depending on gender and professional qualifications.

Efecto protector del apoyo social en la mortalidad en población anciana: un estudio longitudinal

The main objective of this study is to analyze the relationship between social support and the mortality among a non-institutionalized population cohort age 60 or above residing in Barcelona studied throughout the 1996-1999 monitoring period for the purpose of analyzing the relationship between the social support and the mortality of this cohort. In 1996, a telephone survey was conducted of 755 individuals (316 males and 439 females) who had been surveyed in the 1992 Barcelona health survey and who, were age 60 or above that year. The questionnaire included socio-demographic, morbility and health condition, social support and social network-related variables. The deaths during the 1996-1999 period were recorded. Logic regression was used for analyzing the social support-mortality relationship. The deaths for the period in question totaled 55 individuals (5.9% of the females and 9.2% of the males). Among the variables reflecting social support, for the males solely the situation of living with someone was found, in the bivariate analysis, to have a significant relationship to the mortality, which was higher for those males who lived with other family members, but not with their wives or female partner (OR = 3.7; IC 95% 1.4-9.6). Among the females, the existence of support from neighbors, the size of the family network, the number of contacts with the community network and the situation of living with someone else were related to the mortality in the bivariate analysis, although in the multivariate logic regression, solely the support of neighbors (OR = 3.6; IC: 1.1-11.1) was found to have a significant relationship. The results are consistent with prior studies revealing a relationship between the social support variables and the mortality. The relationship between the different social support variables and the possible prevention mechanisms should be taken up in future studies.