How We Conduct Research

What is a Cohort Study?

Born in Bradford is a cohort study, this is a study where researchers look at data collected from a group of people who share something in common; for the Born in Bradford study this means being recruited whilst expecting a child, at Bradford Royal Infirmary, between 2007-2010.

The strength of a cohort study lies in the way that data and biological samples can be collected from a large number of people at repeated time points in their lives. All the data collected is being used by researchers to understand what happens to people from the womb onwards and how this is associated with well-being or ill health in later childhood and adulthood.

How the Project Works

Participants gave us a huge amount of detailed information at recruitment (from 2007-2010); also at the recruitment stage mothers gave us consent to access information from their and their children’s medical records and their children’s education records. A quarter of a million blood and urine samples taken at recruitment are kept in a bio bank in huge freezers.

Since recruitment finished at the end of 2010 we have collected many more bio samples, height, weight and skinfold measurements and, via many questionnaires, more information from all those families involved in sub studies. Born in Bradford families have worked with us in their homes, in the clinical research facility, in playgrounds, in schools and in children’s centres. This means that we now have a huge database of information about the health and wellbeing of people in Bradford across the course of their lives.

We store all this information anonymously for researchers to use as far into the future as possible, which may be tens, or even hundreds, of years. This will give researchers huge resources to work with to make new discoveries. All the research projects we undertake are about understanding causes of ill health and benefitting society by making positive changes to health systems and to health advice.

The science behind the Born in Bradford cohort study is called epidemiology: exploring patterns of health and illness and what causes them. Our role is to observe, not to influence, so we give very little feedback to individual participants. By finding out what increases the risks of certain diseases, we can help the whole community to reduce those risks in the future.

How information is secured

• Born in Bradford studies are regularly reviewed and approved by the independent NHS Research Ethics Committee.
• The study is overseen by the Born in Bradford Scientific Steering Group and Executive Group.
• Any researchers wishing to use data from Born in Bradford participants must have permission from the Born in Bradford Executive Committee. This is done to ensure that only high quality research is undertaken that will not cause harm to participants.
• Researchers are given access to the data only after it has had all personal identification removed and is identified only by a study ID number.
• Researchers receive only the data necessary to answer their research question.
• All researchers sign a further form to ensure that any data is stored securely whilst in use and destroyed after the project is finished. All the data is held securely on computers based at Bradford Royal Infirmary using the same high quality security methods as used throughout the NHS.
• All researchers sign a further form to ensure that any data is stored securely whilst in use and destroyed after the project is finished. All the data is held securely on computers based at Bradford Royal Infirmary using the same high quality security methods as used throughout the NHS.

The process for giving consent

All mothers are provided with an information sheet before recruitment which explains the importance of linking the data Born in Bradford collects to their NHS records in order to capture these health outcomes. It is further explained in detail by the research administrators at the time of recruitment. Written consent is then obtained from the mothers on behalf of themselves and their children. Born in Bradford staff also undertake regular focus group discussions with mothers to discuss their understanding of the consent they have given and to confirm their original decision.

Linking BiB data with information collected by other agencies

The most effective way for Born in Bradford to collect information on the health and wellbeing outcomes for mothers and children, and the educational outcomes for children, is to link with existing systems that routinely collect health data from hospitals and general practices and the Council systems that record educational progress.

To access primary care data we work with Systmone which is used by almost all general practices within the Bradford area. This will provide the Born in Bradford project with annual data about all current Born in Bradford participants and means that we can easily follow your health and your child’s health over the next 20 years.

To access education data we will be working with local Councils, primarily Bradford, to link to each child’s Unique Pupil Reference number.

You can find ‘In a Nutshell’ summaries of completed and on-going research here.

Examples of data collected from different sources

Maternity Notes

Data collected on both mother and child, such as weight at booking and blood pressure at booking.

Maternity Records

Data collected on both mother and child, such as how given birth and gender of your child.

Health Visitor

Data collected on child, such as height and weight and vaccinations received.

Primary Care

Data collected on both mother and child, such as the date that you visited the doctor or practice nurse and what the doctor or nurse prescribed for you.

Hospital

Data collected on both mother and child, such as how long you have stayed in hospital and what operation or procedure you had.

Education

Data collected on both child, such as SATs results.