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Validation of self‐reported occupational exposures in meatpacking workers
Author(s) -
Lander Lina,
Sorock Gary,
Stentz Terry L.,
Eisen Ellen A.,
Mittleman Murray,
Hauser Russ,
Perry Melissa J.
Publication year - 2009
Publication title -
american journal of industrial medicine
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 0.7
H-Index - 104
eISSN - 1097-0274
pISSN - 0271-3586
DOI - 10.1002/ajim.20721
Subject(s) - medicine , occupational safety and health , intraclass correlation , occupational medicine , occupational injury , occupational exposure , poison control , injury prevention , environmental health , clinical psychology , psychometrics , pathology
Objective The ability of workers to accurately recall exposures that occur on the day of their injury is considered a potential limitation of case‐crossover studies. This study assessed validity of occupational exposures reported by uninjured workers at a Midwestern meatpacking plant. Methods One hundred thirty‐six workers were observed for 60 min while working and then interviewed within 8 days (median 3 days) about exposures during the observation period. The level of agreement between self‐reports and direct observations was assessed using kappas and intraclass correlation coefficients. Results Excellent agreement was found between observed and reported work location (κ = 0.97, 95% CI: 0.92–1.0), task (κ = 0.83, 95% CI: 0.76–0.91) and tools used (κ = 0.88, 95% CI: 0.81–0.95). Personal protective equipment varied by work type and location, and agreement between observed and reported usage varied from excellent to poor for various items. Excellent agreement was found for tool sharpening (κ = 0.89, 95% CI: 0.82–0.97); good agreement for occurrence of break during the observation period (κ = 0.60, 95% CI: 0.45–0.74); and poor agreement for equipment malfunction, line stoppages, being tired, unusual task, unusual work method, being distracted, rushing, slipping, or falling. Conclusions Agreement between observed and reported occupational exposures varied widely. Self‐reported exposures are utilized in many occupational studies, and future exposure validity assessment studies should continue to improve retrospective study methods. Valid exposures will allow researchers to better understand injury etiology and ultimately prevent injuries from occurring. Am. J. Ind. Med. Am. J. Ind. Med. 52:707–715, 2009. © 2009 Wiley‐Liss, Inc.