The use of a videotaped questionnaire for studying asthma prevalence. A pilot study among New Zealand adolescents.
OBJECTIVE
To examine the feasibility of measuring asthma prevalence by means of an audio-visual presentation of asthma symptoms and signs (video questionnaire) and to compare this technique with a standard written questionnaire for predicting bronchial hyperresponsiveness.


METHODS
A cross-sectional study comparing the ability of a video questionnaire and a written, interviewer administered questionnaire to predict bronchial hyperresponsiveness. Bronchial responsiveness was measured with hand held nebulisers.


METHODS
Community survey of a New Zealand rural secondary school.


METHODS
A total of 456 adolescent school children aged 12-19 years (mean 15.5 years).


METHODS
Comparison of the sensitivity and specificity of a standard questionnaire versus a video questionnaire for bronchial hyperresponsiveness.


RESULTS
The technique was easy to administer in the community setting. Overall sensitivity and specificity for the prediction of bronchial hyperresponsiveness were similar for the video and interviewer administered questionnaires.


CONCLUSIONS
This new technique is easily used in the community setting, and gives predictions of bronchial hyperresponsiveness similar to those of a standard interviewer administered questionnaire. Further examination of the technique in comparisons of asthma prevalence among different populations is planned.
Shaw
R A
RA
Wellington School of Medicine, New Zealand.
Crane
J
J
O'Donnell
T V
TV
Lewis
M E
ME
Stewart
B
B
Beasley
R
R
D000293:Adolescent; D001249:Asthma / Q000453:epidemiology* / Q000503:physiopathology; D016535:Bronchial Hyperreactivity / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000453:epidemiology; D001985:Bronchial Provocation Tests; D003430:Cross-Sectional Studies; D005006:Ethnicity; D005240:Feasibility Studies; D006801:Humans; D009520:New Zealand / Q000453:epidemiology; D010865:Pilot Projects; D015995:Prevalence; D012680:Sensitivity and Specificity; D011795:Surveys and Questionnaires; D014743:Videotape Recording