Effect of recall on estimation of non-fatal injury rates: a community based study in Tanzania

Abstract

Study objective: To investigate the effect of recall on estimation of non-fatal injury rates in Tanzania. Design: Retrospective population based survey. Setting: Eight branches in an urban area and six villages in a relatively prosperous rural area in Tanzania. Subjects: Individuals of all ages living in households selected by cluster sampling. Main outcome measures: Estimated non-fatal injury rates calculated at each of the 12 recall periods (one to 12 months before the interview). Results: Out of a population of 15 223 persons, 509 individuals reported 516 injuries during the preceding year. Of these 313 (61.5%) were males and 196 (38.5%) females. The data showed notable declining incidence rates from 72 per 1000 person-years when based on a one month recall period to 32.7 per 1000 person-years for a 12 month recall period (55% decline). The decline was found for injuries resulting in fewer than 30 days of disability whereas rates for severe injuries (disability of 30 days or more) did not show a consistent variation with recall period. Decline in injury rates by recall period was higher in rural than in urban areas. Age, sex, and education did not notably affect recall. Conclusions: Longer recall periods underestimate injury rates compared with shorter recall periods. For severe injuries, a recall period of up to 12 months does not affect the rate estimates. It is essential that a recall period of less than three months be used to calculate injury rates for less severe injuries.

Epidemiology of Road Traffic Injuries in Qassim Region , Saudi Arabia : Consistency of Police and Health Data

“…We used a recall period of three-months to estimate the annual incidence of non-fatal RTI as recall bias is a major limitation for data on non-fatal injuries, and less severe injuries in particular are underestimated with longer recall periods. (20,21) Our data show that the decline in RTI incidence from 3-to 12-months recall period was 51.8%.…”

Self-reported activity level and knee function in amateur football players: the influence of age, gender, history of knee injury and level of competition

“…Recent reports suggest that the recall of injuries is good up to 12 months after injury although minor injuries were most likely underestimated. [9,21] Here, we present the recall of lifetime injuries and thus our findings were likely underestimated. However, the selfreport of severe injuries were more likely to be less underestimated than the frequency of minor knee injuries.…”

Masking in reports of “most serious” events: bias in estimators of sports injury incidence in Canadian children

“…Since memory decay decreases with increasing severity of injuries, [12][13] the "one most serious injury" line of questioning should help reduce recall bias; in addition, the respondent only has to remember and report the contextual variables to do with a single injury event, which could greatly reduce the time needed to complete the questionnaire and increase the accuracy and completeness of response.…”