 | The 131st Annual Meeting (November 15-19, 2003) of APHA |
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| The 131st Annual Meeting (November 15-19, 2003) of APHA |
Kathryn L. Tippy, MPH, Division of Family Health/Applied Medical Sciences, Maine Bureau of Health/University of Southern Maine, 11 SHS, Key Bank Plaza, 4th floor, Augusta, ME 04333, (207) 287-4102, ktippy@gwi.net, Nancy Sonnenfeld, PhD, Department of Family Practice, University of New England College of Osteopathic Medicine, 11 Hills Beach Rd, Stella Maris Hall, Biddeford, ME 04005-9599, Katie A. Meyer, PhD, Division of Community Health/Applied Medical Sciences, Maine Bureau of Health/University of Southern Maine, 11 SHS, Key Bank Plaza, 4th floor, Augusta, ME 04333-0011, and Barbara Poirier, MS, Muskie School of Public Policy, University of Southern Maine, Olde Federal Building, Water Street, Augusta, ME 04033.
Surveillance is a critical but often overlooked aspect of public health programs particularly in the elementary school population. The Maine Child Health Survey (MCHS) was developed to assess the prevalence of multiple health outcomes and provide data for research. The MCHS was a collaboration between Maine’s Bureau of Health and Department of Education, as well as other professional organizations. A stratified multi-stage design was used; public schools were the primary sampling units within six geographic regions that covered the entire state. Schools were chosen based on probability proportionate to their class size. All kindergarten students at selected schools were invited to participate. The MCHS provided information on asthma prevalence, access to care, lead poisoning risk, healthcare utilization, environmental exposures, special health needs, oral health, and BMI. The child’s caregiver completed the questionnaire. School personnel were trained in height/weight measurement and dental screening. 917 children responded to the questionnaire, representing an overall participation rate of 39.8 percent. The prevalence of asthma was similar using the CSTE (9.0 percent) and the ISAAC (8.1 percent) definitions. Roughly 32 percent of children sampled were considered at risk of overweight or overweight. Untreated caries were found in 20 percent of the children. The Maine Child Health Survey is a model for gaining critical information that is not readily available from other data sources, and serves as a collaborative opportunity among multiple state entities for assessment, planning and policy development.
Learning Objectives:
Keywords: Asthma, Surveillance
Presenting author's disclosure statement:
I do not have any significant financial interest/arrangement or affiliation with any organization/institution whose products or services are being discussed in this session.