THE EFFECTS OF RECALL ON ESTIMATING ANNUAL NONFATAL INJURY RATES FOR CHILDREN AND ADOLESCENTS

Objectives. This study used a recent national population survey on chi ldhood and adolescent nonfatal injuries to investigate the effects of recall bias on estimating annual injury rates. Strategies to adjust fo r recall bias are recommended. Methods. The 1988 Child Health Suppleme nt to the National Health Interview Survey collected 12-month recall i nformation on injuries that occurred to a national sample of 17 110 ch ildren aged 0 through 17 years. Using information on timing of intervi ews and reported injuries, estimated annual injury rates were calculat ed for 12 accumulative recall periods (from 1 to 12 months). Results. The data show significantly declining rates, from 24.4 per 100 for a 1 -month recall period to 14.7 per 100 for a 12-month recall period. The largest declines were found for the 0- through 4-year-old age group a nd for minor injuries. Rates of injuries that caused a school loss day , a bed day, surgery, or hospitalization showed higher stability throu ghout recall periods. Conclusions. Varying recall periods have profoun d effects on the patterns of childhood injury epidemiology that emerge from the data. Recall periods of between 1 and 3 months are recommend ed for use in similar survey settings.