19 Sep PH4160 Research Methods and Technical Writing for Public Health

PH4160 Research Methods and Technical Writing for Public Health

Week 4 Written Assignment

Answer all questions below and be prepared to share your answers and discuss them during the next class. Do NOT copy and paste sentences from the textbook or any other sources. Always paraphrase your answers and write in full sentences with proper grammar and spelling. Only complete answers will earn credit.

1. Chapter 11: Cohort Studies

First, read Chapter 11 sections 11.1 and 11.2 (textbook 2nd edition). Next, review Figures 11-3 and 11-4.

Now read the following description:

“From January 2022 through December 2022, a researcher collects baseline data on all newborn infants born at Dignity Health (CA Hospital Medical Center). This means that the researcher utilizes rolling admission for recruitment of participants into this study. The baseline data that are collected include birth weight, blood spot screening, pulse oximetry screening, and hearing screening*. When each of the infants turn one year old (i.e., 12 months from their baseline timepoint), they will return to the hospital for follow-up health screening, during which the researcher will collect follow up data on the infants’ health.”

Question 1.A. : Based on the description above, which type of cohort study was it (retrospective, prospective or longitudinal)? Explain why you think so.

Question 1.B. : Based on the description above, is the cohort of Dignity Health infants considered a fixed population or a dynamic population? Explain why you think so.

*For more information on newborn screening, see Newborn Screening Process | Newborn Screening (hrsa.gov)

2. Chapter 12: Experimental Studies

You have been tasked with designing the randomization of participants for a clinical trial. This study will test the effect of a new drug versus a placebo. You have a pool of 100 participants (60 women and 40 men).

For block randomization and stratified randomization, come up with an idea on how you would randomize the 100 participants into either the drug or placebo groups. You can design any hypothetical scenario. Explain your reasoning for each of your idea based on your understanding of the different types of randomization (see textbook Chapter 12.6 and Figure 12-7). The example for simple randomization is provided below.

3. Chapter 13: Qualitative Studies

The following is an Abstract from a study published in the journal BMC Health Services Research. Read the abstract and answer the question below it.

Background

Smoking is strongly associated with disadvantage and is an important contributor to inequalities in health. Smoking cessation services have been implemented in the UK targeting disadvantaged smokers, but there is little evidence available on how to design services to attract this priority group.

Methods

We conducted focus groups with 39 smokers aged 21–75 from the most socio-economically deprived areas of Nottingham UK who had made an unsuccessful attempt to quit within the last year without using smoking cessation services, to identify specific barriers or motivators to gaining access to these services.

Results

Barriers to use of existing services related to fear of being judged, fear of failure, a perceived lack of knowledge about existing services, a perception that available interventions – particularly Nicotine Replacement Therapy – are expensive and ineffective, and negative media publicity about bupropion. Participants expressed a preference for a personalized, non-judgmental approach combining counselling with affordable, accessible and effective pharmacological therapies; convenient and flexible timing of service delivery, and the possibility of subsidized complementary therapies.

Conclusion

We conclude that smokers from these deprived areas generally had low awareness of the services available to help them, and misconceptions about their availability and effectiveness. A more personalized approach to promoting services that are non-judgmental, and with free pharmacotherapy and flexible support may encourage more deprived smokers to quit smoking.

Roddy, E., Antoniak, M., Britton, J., Molyneux, A., & Lewis, S. (2006). Barriers and motivators to gaining access to smoking cessation services amongst deprived smokers–a qualitative study.  BMC Health Services Research,  6(1), 147. Available from: https://bmchealthservres.biomedcentral.com/articles/ 10.1186/1472-6963-6-147

Question : If you are a researcher on this study, what would be two questions that you would ask the participants of the focus groups in this study? Remember, this is a qualitative study, which means that the questions would be open-ended in format. Ask your questions such that they solicit the best possible answers from your participants that would help you reach the goals of this study.