Aplicación de encuestas a escolares para la vigilancia de factores de riesgo: experiencia operativa

Surveillance and risk factor monitoring are essential components of chronic diseases control. We present the experience of the Colombian National Cancer Institute with the application of two school-based surveys: The Global Youth Tobacco Survey -GYTS- and The Global School Health Survey -GSHS-. The surveys were conducted in five cities: Bogotá, Bucaramanga, Cali, Manizales and Valledupar. We describe operative topics aimed at evaluating the viability of surveys to be established as the basis of a regular chronic disease surveillance system. A self-administered questionnaire in schools is a feasible method for surveillance systems given their low costs, simple application, and reproducibility.