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Self-reported flight hours vs. company records for epidemiologic studies of flight attendants.

Authors

Grajewski-B; Atkins-DJ; Whelan-EA

Source

Aviat Space Environ Med 2004 Sep; 75(9):806-810

Link

http://www.ingentaconnect.com/content/asma/asem/2004/00000075/00000009/art00011 

NIOSHTIC No.

20025686 

Abstract

INTRODUCTION: Although there is increased interest in health effects studies of aircrew members, the differences between self-reported work history and company records, including effects on exposure assessment, are poorly characterized. METHODS: We collected both self-reported work history and company records as part of a National Institute for Occupational Safety and Health biomonitoring study of reproductive hormones in 45 female flight attendants. These two sources of work history information were compared to identify differences which might impact the assessment of work exposures. RESULTS: There appeared to be consistent overreporting of self-reported block time and number of flight segments compared with company record-based estimates. Overreporting in turn inflated the assessment of two important exposures: cosmic ionizing radiation estimated dose and time zones crossed. Factors including domicile, block hours per year of work, and length of employment affected the amount and direction of overreporting. Comparison to compensated credit hours, including nonflight hours, did not fully account for the overreporting. DISCUSSION: Self-report of block time may or may not include compensated nonflight hours, resulting in differences when compared to company records. Exposure bias is likely to result if the complexities of self-report are not considered when writing questionnaires. Aircrew members should be asked for additional occupational information, and a comparison of self-report block time to a sample of company records should be considered prior to exposure assessment and epidemiologic analysis.

Keywords

Aircrews; Surveillance-programs; Qualitative-analysis; Statistical-analysis; Exposure-assessment; Epidemiology

Contact

National Institute for Occupational Safety and Health, 4676 Columbia Parkway, Cincinnati, OH 45226

CODEN

ASEMCG

Publication Date

20040901

Document Type

Journal Article

Email Address

bag2@cdc.gov

Fiscal Year

2004

NTIS Accession No.

NTIS Price

Issue of Publication

9

ISSN

0095-6562

NIOSH Division

DSHEFS

Source Name

Aviation, Space, and Environmental Medicine

State

OH