title: How well do adolescents recall use of mobile telephones? Results of a validation study.
abstract: BACKGROUND
  In the last decade mobile telephone use has become more widespread among children. Concerns expressed about possible health risks have led to epidemiological studies investigating adverse health outcomes associated with mobile telephone use. Most epidemiological studies have relied on self reported questionnaire responses to determine individual exposure. We sought to validate the accuracy of self reported adolescent mobile telephone use.
  
  
  METHODS
  Participants were recruited from year 7 secondary school students in Melbourne, Australia. Adolescent recall of mobile telephone use was assessed using a self administered questionnaire which asked about number and average duration of calls per week. Validation of self reports was undertaken using Software Modified Phones (SMPs) which logged exposure details such as number and duration of calls.
  
  
  RESULTS
  A total of 59 adolescents participated (39% boys, 61% girls). Overall a modest but significant rank correlation was found between self and validated number of voice calls (rho = 0.3, P = 0.04) with a sensitivity of 57% and specificity of 66%. Agreement between SMP measured and self reported duration of calls was poorer (rho = 0.1, P = 0.37). Participants whose parents belonged to the 4th socioeconomic stratum recalled mobile phone use better than others (rho = 0.6, P = 0.01).
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  Adolescent recall of mobile telephone use was only modestly accurate. Caution is warranted in interpreting results of epidemiological studies investigating health effects of mobile phone use in this age group.
authors.affiliation: Department of Epidemiology & Preventive Medicine, School of Public Health & Preventive Medicine, Monash University, Melbourne, Australia. Imo.Inyang@med.monash.edu.au
authors.forename: Imo
authors.initials: I
authors.lastname: Inyang
authors.forename: Geza
authors.initials: G
authors.lastname: Benke
authors.forename: Joseph
authors.initials: J
authors.lastname: Morrissey
authors.forename: Ray
authors.initials: R
authors.lastname: McKenzie
authors.forename: Michael
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Abramson
mesh_terms: D000293:Adolescent; D000294:Adolescent Behavior; D040421:Cell Phone / Q000706:statistics & numerical data*; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D011939:Mental Recall; D015203:Reproducibility of Results; D012680:Sensitivity and Specificity