Start date
Approval date: 2015/10/28
Starting date: 2015/10/09
Goals
This study aimed to determine cumulative incidence/incidence rates of non-communicable (NCDs) diseases and/or other outcomes amongst the population of the Zahedan district located in South-East of Iran. The second aim of the study is to identify all-causes and cause-specific mortality rates.
Study population
The populations of interest are men and women aged 35-70 years who are living in Zahedan and being of Iranian descent.
Sampling method and sample size
At first, three areas of the study site were chosen to include persons from different socioeconomic levels of the city inhabitants. Then, a population census of the aforementioned areas generated. Accordingly, trained personnel’s referred directly to the selected households and invited eligible subjects to take part in the study. Having used this approach, a total of 10,000 individuals were included in the study.
Data Collection
Upon arrival at the cohort center, written informed consent obtained from each individual. Then, participants were registered and a unique barcode given to each of them which used to label all biological samples and documentations. Afterwards, the biological samples such as blood, urine, hair, and nail samples were collected and stored in freezers (−70°C). In addition, blood and urine analysis performed and results of all tests stored in the database and also given to the participants as an incentive. Anthropometric characteristics including height, weight, and waist, hip, and wrist circumferences were measured.
Breakfast or a snack is then provided to the participant before proceeding to the next step. Consequently, Cohort questionnaires consist of 482 items divided into 3 major parts: general, medical, and nutrition filled out by trained interviewers.
Follow up Methods
The present study plans to follow up participants for at least 10 years after enrollment. During this time, participants will receive annual phone calls through which follow-up questionnaires will be completed regarding the occurrence of death or the incidence of any medical events, hospitalizations, or diagnostic/therapeutic care. If a participant dies or has been diagnosed with a major NCD, investigators will follow the phone call with a house/hospital visit to perform a more thorough follow-up and to collect copies of pertinent medical documents for further evaluation and recording.
Main Exposures
Major exposures in the current study are general, medical and nutrition factors including demographic factors, socioeconomic status, lifestyle, personal habits (i.e. smoking, alcohol and drug use), cell phone use, dietary habits, food frequency questionnaire (130 items), physical activity, food preparation and storage technique, genetic factors, medical history, family medical history, blood pressure, reproductive history, oral and dental health, physical examination, environmental and occupational exposures, fuel exposures, toxin and pesticide exposure.
Outcomes
The outcomes of interest include:
About The Zahedan Adult Cohort Study (ZACS)
ZACS Documentation
RATIONALE AND DESIGN Papers
Questionnaires
Metadata Dictionary
Gallery
News
Selected Publications
