Geocoding processes in cohort studies: methods applied in the EpiFloripa Aging.

OBJECTIVE: To describe the process and epidemiological implications of georeferencing in EpiFloripa Aging samples (2009-2019). METHOD: The EpiFloripa Aging Cohort Study sought to investigate and monitor the living and health conditions of the older adult population (≥ 60) of Florianópolis in three study waves (2009/2010, 2013/2014, 2017/2019). With an automatic geocoding tool, the residential addresses were spatialized, allowing to investigate the effect of the georeferencing sample losses regarding 19 variables, evaluated in the three waves. The influence of different neighborhood definitions (census tracts, Euclidean buffers, and buffers across the street network) was examined in the results of seven variables: area, income, residential density, mixed land use, connectivity, health unit count, and public open space count. Pearson's correlation coefficients were calculated to evaluate the differences between neighborhood definitions according to three variables: contextual income, residential density, and land use diversity. RESULT: The losses imposed by geocoding (6%, n = 240) caused no statistically significant difference between the total sample and the geocoded sample. The analysis of the study variables suggests that the geocoding process may have included a higher proportion of participants with better income, education, and living conditions. The correlation coefficients showed little correspondence between measures calculated by the three neighborhood definitions (r = 0.37-0.54). The statistical difference between the variables calculated by buffers and census tracts highlights limitations in their use in the description of geospatial attributes. CONCLUSION: Despite the challenges related to geocoding, such as inconsistencies in addresses, adequate correction and verification mechanisms provided a high rate of assignment of geographic coordinates, the findings suggest that adopting buffers, favored by geocoding, represents a potential for spatial epidemiological analyses by improving the representation of environmental attributes and the understanding of health outcomes.

Is Walk Score Associated With Physical Activity and Screen Time in Brazilian Older Adults?

This study aimed to examine the relationship between Walk Score index with walking to commuting, moderate-to-vigorous physical activity, and screen time in older adults. Georeferenced addresses were entered into the Walk Score platform. Walking to commute and moderate-to-vigorous physical activity were assessed using the International Physical Activity Questionnaire and categorized according to the World Health Organization recommendations. Screen time was analyzed through self-reported time watching television/being on the computer. We used binary logistic regression to estimate the association between variables. Older adults who lived in places with higher Walk Score had a higher prevalence of walking to commuting (odds ratio = 1.73; 95% confidence interval [1.18, 2.55]) and engaging in moderate-to-vigorous physical activity (odds ratio = 1.76; 95% confidence interval [1.05, 2.98]). A relationship also was observed between higher Walk Score and more time in screen time (odds ratio = 1.67; 95% confidence interval [1.19, 2.34]). The results showed that residing in a more walkable neighborhood increased the chances of the older adults spending 3 hr or more in front of a screen.

Geocoding processes in cohort studies: methods applied in the EpiFloripa Aging / Processos de geocodificação em estudos de coorte: métodos aplicados no EpiFloripa Idoso

ABSTRACT OBJECTIVE To describe the process and epidemiological implications of georeferencing in EpiFloripa Aging samples (2009-2019). METHOD The EpiFloripa Aging Cohort Study sought to investigate and monitor the living and health conditions of the older adult population (≥ 60) of Florianópolis in three study waves (2009/2010, 2013/2014, 2017/2019). With an automatic geocoding tool, the residential addresses were spatialized, allowing to investigate the effect of the georeferencing sample losses regarding 19 variables, evaluated in the three waves. The influence of different neighborhood definitions (census tracts, Euclidean buffers, and buffers across the street network) was examined in the results of seven variables: area, income, residential density, mixed land use, connectivity, health unit count, and public open space count. Pearson's correlation coefficients were calculated to evaluate the differences between neighborhood definitions according to three variables: contextual income, residential density, and land use diversity. RESULT The losses imposed by geocoding (6%, n = 240) caused no statistically significant difference between the total sample and the geocoded sample. The analysis of the study variables suggests that the geocoding process may have included a higher proportion of participants with better income, education, and living conditions. The correlation coefficients showed little correspondence between measures calculated by the three neighborhood definitions (r = 0.37-0.54). The statistical difference between the variables calculated by buffers and census tracts highlights limitations in their use in the description of geospatial attributes. CONCLUSION Despite the challenges related to geocoding, such as inconsistencies in addresses, adequate correction and verification mechanisms provided a high rate of assignment of geographic coordinates, the findings suggest that adopting buffers, favored by geocoding, represents a potential for spatial epidemiological analyses by improving the representation of environmental attributes and the understanding of health outcomes.

RESUMO OBJETIVO Descrever o processo e as implicações epidemiológicas do georreferenciamento nas amostras do EpiFloripa Idoso (2009-2019). MÉTODO O estudo de coorte EpiFloripa Idoso buscou investigar e acompanhar as condições de vida e saúde da população idosa (≥ 60) de Florianópolis em três ondas de estudo (2009/2010, 2013/2014, 2017/2019). Com uma ferramenta de geocodificação automática, os endereços residenciais foram espacializados, permitindo a investigação do efeito das perdas amostrais do georreferenciamento em relação a 19 variáveis, avaliadas nas três ondas. A influência de diferentes definições de vizinhança (setores censitários, buffers euclidianos e buffers pela rede de ruas) foi examinada nos resultados de sete variáveis: área, renda, densidade residencial, uso misto do solo, conectividade, contagem de unidades de saúde, e contagem de espaços livres públicos. Coeficientes de correlação de Pearson foram calculados para avaliar as diferenças entre as definições de vizinhança de acordo com três variáveis: renda contextual, densidade residencial e diversidade de uso do solo. RESULTADO As perdas impostas pela geocodificação (6%, n = 240) não ocasionaram diferença estatística significativa entre a amostra total e a georreferenciada. A análise das variáveis do estudo sugere que o processo de geocodificação pode ter incluído uma maior proporção de participantes com melhor nível de renda, escolaridade e condições de vida. Os coeficientes de correlação evidenciaram pouca correspondência entre medidas calculadas pelas três definições de vizinhança (r = 0,37-0,54). A diferença estatística entre as variáveis calculadas por buffers e setores censitários ressalta limitações no uso destes na descrição dos atributos geoespaciais. CONCLUSÃO Apesar dos desafios relacionados à geocodificação, como inconsistências nos endereços, adequados mecanismos de correção e verificação propiciaram elevada taxa de atribuição de coordenadas geográficas. Os achados sugerem que a adoção de buffers, favorecida pela geocodificação, representa uma potencialidade para análises epidemiológicas espaciais ao aprimorar a representação dos atributos do ambiente e a compreensão dos desfechos de saúde.

Neighbourhood walkability and mental health in older adults: A cross-sectional analysis from EpiFloripa Aging Study.

This study aims to analyse the association between walkability index and depressive symptoms and cognitive impairment and test the mediating role of moderate-vigorous physical activity (MVPA) in this relationship among older adults from Florianópolis, Brazil. This is cross-sectional research with data from the third wave of the EpiFloripa Aging cohort study, conducted in 2017-2019. Depressive symptoms were assessed using the short version of the Geriatric Depression Scale (GDS), and cognitive impairment, using the Mini-Mental State Examination (MMSE) scales. The neighbourhood environment was assessed using a walkability index, which considered 500-m network buffers around the participants' homes. Binary logistic regression analysis the association between the walkability index (quartile) and mental health outcomes (yes vs. no). Structural equation modelling evaluated the mediation between the walkability index and cognitive impairment by MVPA with an estimator of dichotomous variables. 1,162 people participated in the study (61.5% women, average age = 73.1). Older adults residing in places with a high and highest walkability index were 38% and 44% less likely to have cognitive impairment, respective. There was no association between depressive symptoms and walkability index in crude nor adjusted analysis. Engaging in MVPA had a partial but not significant effect (14%; p = 0.087), showing a tendency for this relationship to be partially explained by the greater engagement in physical activities in places with greater walkability. Policy planning to prevent and reduce the risks of cognitive impairment should consider factors of the physical environment as determinants in older adults.

Geospatial indicators of bikeability index as cycle-friendly city design: a systematic review / Indicadores geoespaciais do índice de bikeability como projeto de cidade amiga da bicicleta: uma revisão sistemática

The aim was to identify the main geospatial indicators used in bikeability index through constructive methodological studies. The study protocol was registered in PROSPERO under the registration number CRD42020166795, following the PRISMA (Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic Reviews and Meta-Analyses) guide. Original studies indexed in the electronic databases Lilacs, Pu-bMed, Science Direct, Scopus, SPORTDiscus, Trid, and Web of Science were selected. The review also included grey literature through Google Scholar, OpenGrey, ProQuest, and a list of references and documents pointed out by experts. After removing duplicates and analyzing titles and abstracts, the review considered only 11 out of the 703 initial papers, which provided 100 environment in-dicators with varied definitions and metrics for estimating the Bikeability index. The census tract was the most used unit of the analysis found in the papers, which used GIS (Geographic Informa-tion System) data besides self-reported information on environmental characteristics. The results indicate that the most usual indicators relate to infrastructure ­ existence and width of bike lanes ­ destination, slope, speed limit, and connectivity and intersections. The creation and maintenance of bicycle-friendly environments could consider the implementation of more infrastructure on flat and connected streets with changes in speed limits in neighborhoods, especially in regions with low density of intersections, to decrease accidents and increase cyclists' perception of safety.

Identificar os principais indicadores geoespaciais sobre a construção do índice de bikeability. O protocolo do estudo foi registrado no PROSPERO, sob o número de registro CRD42020166795, seguiu o guia (PRIS-MA). Foram selecionados estudos originais indexados nas bases de dados eletrônicas Lilacs, PubMed, Science Direct, Scopus, SPORTDiscus, Trid, Web of Science. A revisão também incluiu literatura cinza, além da lista de referências e documentos identificados por especialistas. A busca inicial identificou 703 artigos, após a retirada das duplicatas e análise de títulos, resumos e texto completo, 11 artigos foram incluídos na revisão. Um total de 100 indicadores geoespaciais do ambiente construído foram identificados com diferentes defini-ções e métricas para estimar o índice de bikeability. O setor censitário foi a unidade de análise mais utilizada nos artigos, que utilizaram dados de SIG (Sistema de Informações Geográficas) além de informações autorre-feridas sobre características ambientais. Os resultados indicam que os indicadores mais usuais dizem respeito à infraestrutura ­ existência e largura das ciclovias ­ destino, inclinação, limite de velocidade, conectividade e interseções. A criação e manutenção de ambientes amigos da bicicleta poderia contemplar a implantação de mais infraestrutura em vias planas e conectadas com mudanças nos limites de velocidade nos bairros, principalmente em regiões com baixa densidade de cruzamentos, para diminuir os acidentes e aumentar a percepção de segurança dos ciclistas.

Environmental Factors to Promote the Use of a Public Park in Adults / Fatores ambientais que estimulam o uso de um parque público em adultos

The aim of this study was to describe environmental factors that motivate public park use according to users' sociodemographic characteristics. A cross-sectional study was carried out in 2014/2015 in a park in the city of Florianopolis, Brazil. A face-to-face interview was performed, including sociode-mographic data and environmental factors that stimulate park use. Descriptive analysis, chi-square and Z-tests were used to compare the proportions between groups, adopting a significance level of p < 0,05. The sample included 377 park users, aged 18 years or older (59.7% women). The archi-tectural beauty of structures, geographic location, technological factors, normative policies, values and attitudes were reported as the main factors that motivate park use (p < 0.05). The presence of equipment and public programs in parks were more frequently mentioned as motivational factors for park use among women than men (p > 0.05). Architectural structures and notice boards and posters had higher proportions among users who had an elementary and high school level (p < 0.05). In conclusion, the existing environmental factors seem to have an impact on the motivation for park use, changing according to users' sociodemographic aspects

O objetivo deste estudo foi descrever os fatores ambientais que estimulam o uso de um parque público de acor-do com as características sociodemográficas dos frequentadores. Foi realizado um estudo transversal em um parque público de Florianópolis, em 2014/2015. Foi aplicada uma entrevista face-a-face sobre característi-cas sociodemográficas e sobre fatores ambientais que podem estimular o uso do parque. Utilizou-se a análise descritiva e os testes Qui-quadrado e teste Z para comparar as proporções entre grupos, adotando-se um nível de significância de p < 0,05. Participaram do estudo 377 frequentadores do parque (59,7% mulheres), com 18 ou mais anos de idade. A beleza, localização geográfica, fatores tecnológicos, arquitetônicos, políticas nor-mativas, valores e atitudes foram os fatores ambientais mais relatados como os que estimulam o uso do parque (p < 0,05). A presença de equipamentos e programas públicos no parque foram os fatores mais relatados entre mulheres, quando comparado aos homens (p > 0,05). A beleza arquitetônica das estruturas e a presença de cartazes/quadros informativos foram os fatores com motivadores mais relatados entre aqueles com ensino fundamental e médio (p < 0,05). Os fatores ambientais existentes parecem ter impacto na motivação para o uso do parque e variam de acordo com as variáveis sociodemográficas dos frequentadores