Developing a cooperative multicenter study in Latin America: Lessons learned from the Latin American Study of Nutrition and Health Project
Rev Panam Salud Publica
; 41, dic. 2017
Article
em En
| PAHOIRIS
| ID: phr-34571
Biblioteca responsável:
US1.1
ABSTRACT
[ABSTRACT]. This report examines the challenges of conducting a multicenter, cross-sectional study of countries with diverse cultures, and shares the lessons learned. The Latin American Study of Nutrition and Health (ELANS) was used as a feasibility study involving the most populous cities of eight countries in Latin America (Argentina, Brazil, Chile, Colombia, Costa Rica, Ecuador, Peru, and Venezuela) in 2014–2015, about 40% of the population of the Americas. The target sample included 9 000 individuals, 15–65 years of age, and was stratified by geographic location (only urban areas), gender, age, and socioeconomic status. Six principal challenges were identified team structuring and site selections; developing a single protocol; obtaining ethic approvals; completing simultaneous fieldwork; ensuring data quality; and extracting data and maintaining consistency across databases. Lessons learned show that harmonization, pilot study, uniformity of procedures, high data quality control, and communication and collaboration across sites are imperative. Barriers included organizational complexity, recruitment of collaborators and research staff, institutional cooperation, development of infrastructure, and identification of resources. Consensus on uniform measures and outcomes and data collection methodology, as well as a plan for data management and analysis, communication, publication, and dissemination of study results should be in place prior to beginning fieldwork. While challenging, such studies offer great potential for building a scientific base for studies on nutrition, physical activity, and other health topics, while facilitating comparisons among countries.
Texto completo:
1
Coleções:
04-international_org
Base de dados:
PAHOIRIS
Assunto principal:
Vigilância Alimentar e Nutricional
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Inquéritos Nutricionais
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Estudo Multicêntrico
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América Latina
Tipo de estudo:
Clinical_trials
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Guideline
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Observational_studies
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Prevalence_studies
Aspecto:
Ethics
Idioma:
En
Ano de publicação:
2017
Tipo de documento:
Article