Assessing risk factors for chronic diseases

Area of Science:

• Public Health
• Epidemiology
• Chronic Disease Prevention

Background:

• Chronic diseases pose a significant health burden globally.
• Identifying risk factors in adult male populations is crucial for targeted interventions.
• Pilot studies are essential for assessing the feasibility of large-scale health surveys.

Purpose of the Study:

• To conduct a pilot survey on chronic disease risk factors among men aged 35 and over in Buenos Aires.
• To evaluate the feasibility and cost-effectiveness of different study designs for future research in similar settings.

Main Methods:

• A pilot survey was conducted with men aged 35 and over in Buenos Aires.
• Data collection involved in-person interviews.
• Response rates and per-interview costs were calculated.

Main Results:

• The survey indicated a high prevalence of one or more chronic disease risk factors among participants.
• A low response rate was observed, requiring multiple home visits per obtained interview.
• The cost per interview was approximately US$10.

Conclusions:

• Prospective large-scale investigations are likely unfeasible in many developing countries due to high costs and low response rates.
• Retrospective case-control studies focusing on risk factors like tobacco use are a viable alternative for future research.
• Further research should explore cost-effective methods for chronic disease risk factor assessment in urban male populations.