Difficulties encountered in a community-based study of acute respiratory infections in Uruguay

Abstract

A cohort study on acute respiratory infections, involving 270 children observed by pediatricians in their homes every 10 days over a period of 32 months, gave the opportunity to experience logistic and methodological problems seldom described in the literature. The purpose of this article is to alert researchers as to the difficulties faced when performing community-based studies in developing countries. Although a carefully planned project was undertaken, problem areas included the establishment of the target population, population dynamics, field related problems, laboratory aspects and data management. It is hoped that other investigators may benefit from the extensive experience gained from our program in foreseeing and coping with the difficulties involved.

Community Economic Development and Acute Lower Respiratory Infection in Children

“…To date, studies of the relationship of SES to ALRI in developed and developing countries have yielded conflicting results. Although ALRI is more frequent in less educated families in developed countries (Gardner, Frank, and Taber,1984;Margolis et al, 1992) studies in developing countries have found a less consistent relationship (Hortal et al, 1990;Vathanophas et al, 1990;Smith et al, 1991;Kartasasmita et al, 1992). The specific measure of SES used may have influenced the results observed (Cruz et al, 1990).…”