Health Status of Filipino Children: Biologic and Subjective Measures Used in the Quality Improvement Demonstration Study

John Peabody, University of California, San Francisco
Orville Solon, University of the Philippines
Stella Quimbo, University of the Philippines
Elizabeth Butrick, University of California, San Francisco

Health status measurements in large population-based surveys have traditionally relied on self-reported health measures. Concern has often been raised that these are subjective and may not be as reliable as more objective biomarkers. Collecting biomarker data, however, has been particularly challenged by the logistics and feasibility in developing countries. Moreover the most vulnerable populations are children and the poor who typically live in the most remote settings, furthest from environmental standards necessary to do bioassays. This paper describes how we identified the tests to include in a large population survey we are undertaking, determined a sample frame from a general population, then collected and assayed the biologic data. We also describe the steps taken to ensure the reliability and the validity of four tests. We compare the results of our four bioassays with self-reported health status measures. We conclude by evaluating the contribution of objective biologic data in population-based surveys.