Original Research
Aging in a rural area in southern Brazil: designing a prospective cohort study
AUTHORS
Rodrigo Dalke Meucci1 PhD, Professor * 
Cid Pinheiro Farias2 MSc, PhD Student
Cristina dos Santos Paludo3 MSc, PhD Student
Giovanna Pagliaro4 Undergraduate Student
Mariane Pergher Soares5 MSc, PhD Student
Simone Heckler de Lima6 Undergraduate Student
Tatiane Nogueira Gonzalez7 MSc, PhD Student
Tchurle Hoffmann8 Undergraduate Student
AFFILIATIONS
1 Postgraduate Program in Public Health and Postgraduate Program in Health Sciences, Federal University of Rio Grande, Rio Grande, Rio Grande do Sul, Brazil
2 Federal University of Pelotas, Postgraduate Program in Epidemiology, Pelotas, Rio Grande do Sul, Brazil
3, 5, 7 Federal University of Rio Grande, Postgraduate Program in Health Sciences, Rio Grande, Rio Grande do Sul, Brazil
4, 6, 8 Federal University of Rio Grande, Faculty of Medicine, Rio Grande, Rio Grande do Sul, Brazil
ACCEPTED: 27 November 2021
early abstract:
Objective: to present the methods used to design a prospective cohort study with older adults from a rural area in the far south of Brazil (EpiRural Cohort Study), as well as to describe the cohort profile
Methods: the cohort study began in 2017 and evaluated older adults (≥60 years) living in rural area. The first follow-up of the cohort was carried out between September 2018 and March 2019. Data collection at baseline and first follow-up was performed through an electronic questionnaire containing demographic, socioeconomic and health-related questions, such as alcohol and cigarette consumption, morbidities and self-perceived health status.
Results: at baseline, 1130 older adults were sampled, 1029 of whom were interviewed (91.1%). Almost 17% were in the ≥80 age group and 55.2% were male. At first follow-up, 862 individuals were followed (83.8%) and the characteristics of the older adults interviewed compared to those not interviewed at follow-up were similar. Between baseline and follow-up, the proportion of individuals aged 70-79 increased as well as the proportion of those who had drunk alcoholic beverages in the last week and that had hypertension. The male/female ratio, those who were living alone, working, smokers, diabetics, who had strokes and that reported their health as being very good/good were comparable between the baseline and follow-up.
Discussion: with a reasonable follow-up rate, it was possible to transform a cross-sectional study into a prospective cohort study. However, new strategies will be needed to help locate participants more successfully and ensure a good response rate in future follow-ups.