title: [A morbidity information system based on school absenteeism].
abstract: We present a pilot experience about the introduction of a information system designed for the knowledge of infant morbidity (4-15 years) in a 13 school week period in a representative sample of 60 schools of the Valencian Community. We studied school absences that lasted three days or longer. Reports of teachers and parents were the source of information (100% response rate). Medical certification was also requested to the pediatricians and general practitioners of the area of the schools (12.74% response rate). To test the validity of this information system, absences caused by hepatitis were compared with the registry of Notifiable Diseases System (NDS) for the same period. We recorded 3,968 absences, with a cumulative incidence of 100.68 per 1,000 (C.I., alpha = .05, +/- 4.97) for females, and 119.4 (C.I., alpha = .05, +/- 18.36) for males. These differences were statistically significant. There was a concordance of 80.25% of the hepatitis cases between the registry of absenteeism and that of the NDS (chi 2 goodness of fit test = 3.16, p = .754). Although absences shorter than 3 days were not taken into account, the information system provided relevant and valid estimates of morbidity. Moreover, collaboration of teachers was considered very positive, which led us to use this health information system in five health areas of the Valencian Community.
authors: Servei de Vigilància Epidemiològica de la Direcció General de Promoció de la Salut de la Conselleria de Sanitat i Consum, Generalitat Valenciana.
authors: L
authors: L
authors: Mitjans
authors: C
authors: C
authors: Pons
authors: O
authors: O
authors: Zurriaga
authors: H
authors: H
authors: Vanaclocha
authors: C
authors: C
authors: Moya
mesh_terms: D000041:Absenteeism; D000293:Adolescent; D002648:Child; D002675:Child, Preschool; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D007256:Information Systems; D008297:Male; D009017:Morbidity; D010865:Pilot Projects; D013030:Spain / Q000453:epidemiology
vernacular_title: Un sistema de información de morbilidad basado en el absentismo escolar.