Related Experiment Videos
Underreporting of AIDS cases in Canada: a record linkage study
L M Calzavara1, R A Coates, K J Craib
1Department of Preventive Medicine and Biostatistics, Faculty of Medicine, University of Toronto, Ont.
Summary
Underreporting of acquired immune deficiency syndrome (AIDS) cases to the Federal Centre for AIDS (FCA) was significant in 1988. Rates varied between studies, suggesting differences in physician reporting responsibilities contributed to undercounting.
Area of Science:
- Epidemiology
- Public Health Surveillance
Background:
- Accurate reporting of acquired immune deficiency syndrome (AIDS) cases is crucial for effective public health surveillance.
- Previous estimates of AIDS underreporting to the Federal Centre for AIDS (FCA) were needed.
Purpose of the Study:
- To estimate the rate of underreporting of AIDS cases to the FCA.
- To investigate factors influencing underreporting rates.
Main Methods:
- Manual record linkage was used to compare case data from the Toronto Sexual Contact Study (TSCS) and Vancouver Lymphadenopathy-AIDS Study (VLAS) with the national FCA registry.
- Demographic and diagnostic information were used for record matching.
Main Results:
- Underreporting rates were 12% for VLAS and 18% for TSCS.
- The rate of underreporting for the TSCS significantly increased from 0% in 1983-84 to 44% in 1987-88.
- Diagnosis did not correlate with underreporting rates.
Conclusions:
- Significant underreporting of AIDS cases occurred in Canada in 1988.
- Differences in reporting responsibilities among physicians likely explain variations in underreporting rates between studies.
- Ongoing surveillance and reporting system evaluation are essential.