Comparação entre moradores com e sem telefone fixo no domicílio, entrevistados em inquérito domiciliar de saúde. São Paulo - 2003 / Comparison between residents with and without telephone, interviewed in a Household-based health survey in São Paulo 2003.

AUTOR(ES)
DATA DE PUBLICAÇÃO

2008

RESUMO

Introduction. Household surveys have been widely used in epidemiologic studies since the beginning of the 20th century. The methods used in interviews have improved and become a more precise way to obtain information. Telephone interviews make the whole process easier, quicker and less expensive. Objective. To compare households with and without telephone living in São Paulo city analyzed by demographic life conditions, life style, health state and access to health services. Methods. Using Stata 9.2 (survey package), the residents were separated in two groups (with and without telephone). The biases created by the non-coverage of nontelephone respondents from the data bank were estimated and a poststratification adjustment was applied with the purpose of reducing this bias. Results. About 77.7% of respondents reported owning a telephone in the city of São Paulo which was statistically associated to region of birth, race, religion, marital status, schooling of household head, income, smoking status, alcoholism, morbidity, hypertension, self-health status, breast and prostate exam, dental care, medicine use, and also the utilization of Brazilian National Health System (SUS) in health exams. Excluding the respondents without telephone from the analysis, prevalence estimates of prenatal and prostate exam, smoking status, alcoholism, self-health status, dental care and the utilization of Brazilian National Health System in prenatal care and Papanicolaou exam were extremely affected by non-coverage bias. Nevertheless after post-stratification adjustment, the bias has been diminished to all variables associated to telephone ownership, but not completely. Conclusion. The exclusion of persons without telephone is one of the main limitations, as well as, is a great source of bias in telephone surveys, even in areas where the coverage is relatively high. However, it should not be considered a barrier, since some precautions are taken in order to reduce bias, improve the estimates and provide correct interpretation of results, the telephone survey is not only important to (get to) know the population health status, but it also contribute to supporting new public health action.

ASSUNTO(S)

health surveys inquéritos via-telefone telephone surveys vicio bias poststratification comparação comparison inquéritos de morbidade pós-estratificação

ACESSO AO ARTIGO

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