[Types of studies published in the journal Atencion Primaria between 1984-1990].
OBJECTIVE
To determine the frequency and the main methodological characteristics of the epidemiological designs used in the research studies published in the journal Atencion Primaria between 1984 and 1990.


METHODS
A descriptive study.


METHODS
Included are all the articles presenting data produced by the authors themselves in the context of a research study and published in the sections of original articles, special contributions or clinical notes in the issues of the journal Atencion Primaria between 1984 and 1990.


RESULTS
A data-gathering questionnaire was used, whose concordance was previously assessed blindly by two observers. There were 324 articles included. Of these, 93% were descriptive studies, out of which 27% were prevalence studies. Of these prevalence studies, 15.7% were conducted among the population as a whole. A questionnaire, which had been previously validated in 47.7% of cases, was used in 13.5% of the studies. Experimental research accounted for 21 studies (6.5%), of which 85% had an explicit control group.


CONCLUSIONS
Only a small proportion are analytical studies. The majority of descriptive studies are carried out among the population attending for treatment.
Jiménez Villa
J
J
Unidad Docente de Medicina Familiar y Comunitaria de Barcelona.
Carré Llopis
M C
MC
Argimon Pallás
J M
JM
D004812:Epidemiologic Methods; D010506:Periodicals as Topic; D012107:Research Design / Q000706:statistics & numerical data
Tipos de estudio publicados en la revista Ateención primaria (1984-1990).