Objective: To provide a comprehensive review of research on the reliability and validity of measures from the BRFSS within the context of other research on similar measures, and to identify where additional research is needed.
Methods: We reviewed articles on the reliability and validity of BRFSS measures. Reliability refers to repeatability or agreement between respondents’ answers to questions that are asked at two different time periods. Validity refers to whether or not a question measures what it is intended to measure by comparing self-reports to a biological test, observation, or medical records.
Results: Most questions were found to be of moderate or high reliability. We found high validity for smoking status, health status, insurance status, hypertension screening, HIV testing, household smoke detector, influenza immunization, height and weight. Time since having had health insurance, source of health insurance, routine checkup, and child occupant restraint use were of lower validity.
Conclusions: While the goal is to obtain highly reliable and valid data it is rarely possible to use observational or physiological data for general population surveillance because of the high cost and poor timeliness; and for some measures, self-report is the only source of information. Somewhat lower quality measures may provide data that are relevant for good public health practice. For example, when questions remain constant over a period of time, even a measure with lower reliability and validity can adequately describe trends over time and provide useful information.
Learning Objectives: At the conclusion of the session the participant will be able to describe the reliability and validity of various self-reported measures used by the Behavioral Risk Factor Surveillance System Survey (BRFSS)
Keywords: Surveillance, Behavioral Research
Presenting author's disclosure statement:
Organization/institution whose products or services will be discussed: Centers for Disease Control and Prevention
I do not have any significant financial interest/arrangement or affiliation with any organization/institution whose products or services are being discussed in this session.