Display options
Cite
Moeller S, Berger L, Salvador JG, et al. How old is that child? Validating the accuracy of age assignments in observational surveys of vehicle restraint use. Inj Prev. 2002;8(3):248-51doi: 10.1136/ip.8.3.248.
Moeller, S., Berger, L., Salvador, J. G., & Helitzer, D. (2002). How old is that child? Validating the accuracy of age assignments in observational surveys of vehicle restraint use. Injury prevention : journal of the International Society for Child and Adolescent Injury Prevention, 8(3), 248-51. https://doi.org/10.1136/ip.8.3.248
Moeller, S, et al. "How old is that child? Validating the accuracy of age assignments in observational surveys of vehicle restraint use." Injury prevention : journal of the International Society for Child and Adolescent Injury Prevention vol. 8,3 (2002): 248-51. doi: https://doi.org/10.1136/ip.8.3.248
Moeller S, Berger L, Salvador JG, Helitzer D. How old is that child? Validating the accuracy of age assignments in observational surveys of vehicle restraint use. Inj Prev. 2002 Sep;8(3):248-51. doi: 10.1136/ip.8.3.248. PMID: 12226127; PMCID: PMC1730877.
Copy Download .nbib Format: NLM
Share it on

Inj Prev. 2002 Sep;8(3):248-51. doi: 10.1136/ip.8.3.248.

How old is that child? Validating the accuracy of age assignments in observational surveys of vehicle restraint use.

Injury prevention : journal of the International Society for Child and Adolescent Injury Prevention

S Moeller, L Berger, J G Salvador, D Helitzer

Affiliations

  1. Office of Evaluation, Department of Family and Community Medicine, University of New Mexico School of Medicine, Albuquerque, New Mexico 87131, USA.

PMID: 12226127 PMCID: PMC1730877 DOI: 10.1136/ip.8.3.248

Abstract

OBJECTIVES: Many large scale observational studies of child restraint usage require observers to estimate the ages of the vehicle occupants. The accuracy of age assignments were assessed and possible methods to improve observational accuracy in research and field studies of child restraint use were identified.

METHODS: The validation study was performed at fast food restaurants in a metropolitan area. Three, two person teams observed 449 occupants of vehicles with at least one child passenger. The drivers were then interviewed to obtain the actual ages of the vehicle occupants. The primary outcome measure was the per cent of age assignments that were correct by age category (infant, toddler, school age, teen, adult). The observers had previously conducted a statewide child restraint observation study and were trained in estimating age categories.

RESULTS: A total of 391 (87%) of the 449 occupants were assigned to their correct age categories. Incorrect assignments were more common among infants (22% incorrect), but few infants (nine) were observed. The most frequent error was classifying adults (19 years and older) as teenagers (13-18 years).

CONCLUSION: Trained, experienced observers approached 90% accuracy in their assignment of children to specific age categories. Additional study is required to determine whether these results are applicable to different age categories and observers. It is recommended that the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration, the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, state and local agencies, and other sponsors of observational surveys consider observer competence as an important variable. The validity of age assignments can be assessed by randomly interviewing a sample of drivers. More accurate age estimates will improve decisions regarding prevention programs, funding, and policies.

References

  1. J Med Assoc Thai. 2000 Apr;83(4):333-41 - PubMed
  2. JAMA. 1999 Jun 9;281(22):2070-2 - PubMed
  3. Am J Public Health. 2001 Feb;91(2):311-3 - PubMed
  4. Accid Anal Prev. 2001 Nov;33(6):793-7 - PubMed
  5. JAMA. 2001 Oct 3;286(13):1593-8 - PubMed
  6. Inj Prev. 2001 Dec;7(4):286-91 - PubMed
  7. Inj Prev. 2001 Dec;7(4):292-6 - PubMed
  8. Am J Public Health. 1981 Feb;71(2):163-5 - PubMed
  9. Am J Public Health. 1981 Jul;71(7):742-3 - PubMed
  10. N Z Med J. 1982 Oct 27;95(718):740-2 - PubMed
  11. Can J Public Health. 1986 Jan-Feb;77(1):28-32 - PubMed
  12. Pediatrics. 1986 Dec;78(6):1079-84 - PubMed
  13. Accid Anal Prev. 1988 Apr;20(2):109-15 - PubMed
  14. Public Health. 1993 Nov;107(6):429-35 - PubMed
  15. Accid Anal Prev. 1994 Oct;26(5):667-73 - PubMed
  16. Perception. 1995;24(9):1059-73 - PubMed
  17. Accid Anal Prev. 1996 May;28(3):403-7 - PubMed
  18. Accid Anal Prev. 1997 Jan;29(1):125-32 - PubMed
  19. Inj Prev. 1997 Mar;3(1):17-22 - PubMed
  20. Ir Med J. 1997 Apr-May;90(3):103-4 - PubMed
  21. Inj Prev. 1996 Mar;2(1):67-9 - PubMed
  22. Arch Dis Child. 1998 Apr;78(4):335-9 - PubMed
  23. MMWR Morb Mortal Wkly Rep. 1998 Jul 10;47(26):541-4 - PubMed
  24. Perception. 1998;27(3):295-312 - PubMed
  25. Am J Prev Med. 1999 Jan;16(1 Suppl):12-22 - PubMed
  26. Am J Prev Med. 1999 Jan;16(1 Suppl):23-9 - PubMed
  27. Pediatrics. 2000 Jun;105(6):1179-83 - PubMed

MeSH terms

Publication Types