Examining the sensitivity of an injury surveillance program using population-based estimates.

This study uses population-based estimates to assess the sensitivity and representativeness of an injury surveillance system using a 1-year population-based approach. Data from the Ottawa Canadian Hospitals Injury Reporting and Prevention Program (CHIRPP) site (Children's Hospital of Eastern Ontario) were compared with those from six expansion sites. The overall sensitivity of CHIRPP was 43% of all treated injuries and 57% of injuries treated at emergency departments. CHIRPP was less likely to be representative for older children and more likely to capture children with more severe injuries. The limitations related to using CHIRPP for representing population-based injury remain fairly stable over time. A one-time population-based sample can provide useful information to add to routinely collected injury surveillance.

A summary of cancer screening guidelines.

Guidelines and programs for the early detection of cancer or cancer screening are based on the premise that outcomes are improved if the cancer is diagnosed and treated at the early stages of disease. However, there are also disadvantages to the early detection of cancer that must be considered when evaluating and establishing guidelines and programs. The Cancer Bureau of the Laboratory Centre for Disease Control at Health Canada has compiled a summary of existing guidelines for the early detection of various cancers. Recommendations have been provided by governmental organizations, non-governmental organizations, health agencies and professional associations. Many organizations base their guidelines on current evidence and periodically update them as new evidence becomes available. Therefore, it is our intention to revise this compilation in the future to reflect any updates. Guidelines for the early detection of cancer are listed in the tables that follow for 12 different cancer sites: breast, cervical, prostate, colorectal, ovarian, skin, testicular, gastric, lung, pancreatic, bladder and oral cancers.

Canadian health surveys, 1950 1997.

This paper provides a brief history of Canadian health surveys and a review of health or health-related surveys from the first national household survey in 1950/51 to the present time. Surveys have evolved from collecting information on health care utilization, health status and some risk behaviours to a wider range of health determinants following the 1974 Lalonde report. In addition to the occasional cross-sectional surveys, there are periodic surveys, longitudinal surveys, school-based surveys and surveys based on subgroups in the population or specific topic areas. The survey review is presented in the following four tables: Table 1 summarizes national surveys including such information as the date(s) and frequency of data collection, topic areas, target population, sample size and response rate for each survey; Table 2 provides the same information for provincial surveys; both tables point to Table 3, which supplements the previous information with survey sponsors and contacts; Table 4 provides similar information for commercial surveys. This reference, which will be updated periodically, is intended to act as a source of information and support in the development of new surveys.

Development of an instrument to measure cancer screening knowledge, attitudes and behaviours.

The development of a comprehensive survey instrument to measure the knowledge, attitudes and behaviours of the general public with regard to cancer screening was the goal of this project. A thorough review of the literature was undertaken, and existing survey instruments were identified and organized according to type of cancer screening behaviour being measured; question foci (predisposing, enabling and reinforcing factors); and survey implementation protocol. A comprehensive survey instrument was developed with the intention that, if feasible, the survey of cancer screening behaviours could be implemented nationally by telephone. Separate survey instruments were developed according to sex. Focus groups were held across Canada to determine the comprehensiveness of the survey items; ease of understanding and ability to respond; feasibility with respect to possible sensitivity of some of the question items; and general implementation issues (e.g. length, sex of interviewer). This paper reports on the qualitative portion of the project. Our study supports the use of qualitative methodology for instrument development and implementation.

Knowledge, attitudes and behaviours concerning cancer screening in Canada.

The Advisory Committee on Cancer Control funded a one-day workshop to discuss the surveillance of knowledge, attitudes/beliefs and behaviours concerning early cancer detection in Canada. Participants considered the need for such national surveillance and related methodological issues. Some exploratory work has been conducted in this regard. Results were presented from an inventory of existing survey questions and a summary of established cancer screening guidelines. There was overall agreement on the utility of collecting details of early cancer detection behaviours and their determinants. Explicitly, participants identified a need for site-specific information, highlighting cancers of the prostate and colon/rectum, as well as recognizing a need for qualitative information regarding the determinants that enable early cancer detection behaviours.