External validation of the estimate of prevalence of smokers in small areas by Vigitel, in Belo Horizonte, Minas Gerais, Brazil.

Objective: The study aimed to validate the estimates of adult smokers determined by Vigitel for small areas, defined by the Health Vulnerability Index (IVS).

Methods: The database of the Health Survey of the Metropolitan Region of Belo Horizonte (RMBH) carried out in 2010 and the data from Vigitel in the period from 2010 to 2013 were used to obtain estimates of adult smokers by IVS. With Vigitel, the estimate of smokers by IVS was obtained by the indirect estimation method in small areas.