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Updated: Jul 23, 2026
05:37
An R-Based Landscape Validation of a Competing Risk Model
Published on: September 16, 2022
Measuring injury risk factors: question reliability in a statewide sample
J Koziol-McLain1, D Brand, D Morgan
1School of Nursing, Johns Hopkins University, Baltimore, MD 21205-2110, USA. jkoziol-mclain@son.jhmi.edu
Summary
The Behavioral Risk Factor Surveillance System (BRFSS) injury questions in Colorado show high reliability. These questions accurately measure injury risks and behaviors for public health surveillance.
Area of Science:
- Public Health
- Epidemiology
- Behavioral Science
Background:
- Colorado integrated 15 injury-related questions into the Behavioral Risk Factor Surveillance System (BRFSS) between 1996-1998.
- These questions covered critical areas including bicycle safety, traffic incidents, violence exposure, suicidal ideation, and firearm storage.
Purpose of the Study:
- To assess the test-retest reliability of newly implemented injury-related questions within the BRFSS.
- To validate the consistency of data collected on injury risks and behaviors.
Main Methods:
- A subset of 229 participants from the initial 330 BRFSS respondents were re-interviewed.
- Nine selected injury-related questions were re-administered to assess reliability.
- Retest interviews were conducted within a 7 to 28-day interval following the initial survey.
Main Results:
- Excellent test-retest agreement (kappa >0.80) was observed for questions on bicycle helmet use, domestic violence incidents requiring police intervention, and gun ownership.
- Substantial agreement (kappa >0.60) was found for the remaining injury risk and behavior questions.
Conclusions:
- The injury-related questions incorporated into the Colorado BRFSS demonstrate high test-retest reliability.
- These validated questions are suitable for ongoing public health surveillance of injury risks and behaviors.
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