title: Validation of self-reported pneumococcal vaccination in behavioral risk factor surveillance surveys: experience from the sickness prevention achieved through regional collaboration (SPARC) program.
abstract: Behavioral risk factor surveillance system (BRFSS) is the primary surveillance tool for the ongoing measurement of state-specific delivery of pneumococcal polysaccharide vaccine. This study is the first validity assessment of self-reported pneumococcal vaccination status in a population-wide BRFSS survey. A subset of respondents to the sickness prevention achieved through regional collaboration (SPARC) BRFSS survey, which was conducted from June to September 1997 in a four-county area were assessed. Self-reporting of pneumococcal vaccination status was validated either by matching to Medicare claims or by reviewing of medical records. Self-reporting of pneumococcal vaccination had a sensitivity of 75% and a specificity of 83%. We conclude that self-reporting of pneumococcal immunization is a moderately sensitive and specific measure and that population-based surveys in the community can be validated when undertaken in collaboration with a local health care agency.
authors.affiliation: Sickness Prevention Achieved through Regional Collaboration, Lakeville, CT, USA. dshenson@earthlink.net
authors.forename: Douglas
authors.initials: D
authors.lastname: Shenson
authors.forename: Donna
authors.initials: D
authors.lastname: Dimartino
authors.forename: Julie
authors.initials: J
authors.lastname: Bolen
authors.forename: Miriam
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Campbell
authors.forename: Peng-Jun
authors.initials: PJ
authors.lastname: Lu
authors.forename: James A
authors.initials: JA
authors.lastname: Singleton
mesh_terms: D000368:Aged; D016009:Chi-Square Distribution; D016001:Confidence Intervals; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D011008:Pneumococcal Infections / Q000453:epidemiology* / Q000517:prevention & control*; D022242:Pneumococcal Vaccines; D011159:Population Surveillance / Q000379:methods*; D012309:Risk-Taking
chemical_list: D022242:Pneumococcal Vaccines