Abstract
BackgroundThe aim of the study was to evaluate the agreement between self-reported and operator-derived estimates of call time based on a three-month monitoring period, as well as the consistency of mobile phone use over time. Alternative approaches to improve participation in a cohort study of mobile phone users were also compared.MethodsA total of 5,400 subjects were identified from network operators' subscriber databases for recruitment to the pilot study. Operator and questionnaire data were used to quantify mobile phone use. Operator data were available for a subset of the subjects for a three-month period in three consecutive years. We also evaluated the effect of the length of the questionnaire and one- or two-phase recruitment on participation.ResultsThe average response rate for both questionnaires and recruitment procedures was 12%. The response rate was not affected by the length of the questionnaire or the recruitment method.Operator data were available for 83% of the participants for 2007, the first study year. The agreement between self-reported and operator-derived call times decreased with the level of use among intermediate and heavy mobile phone users. During 2007-2009, mobile phone use increased fairly constantly over time.ConclusionsThe agreement between self-reported mobile phone use and operator databases was moderate and overestimation of the call time by participants was common. A prospective cohort study would be feasible in Finland, although the potentially low participation rate would increase the resources required for recruitment.
Highlights
The aim of the study was to evaluate the agreement between self-reported and operator-derived estimates of call time based on a three-month monitoring period, as well as the consistency of mobile phone use over time
Exposure assessment has been based on self-reported use with only a few exceptions utilizing network operator records [4,5,6]
Our findings indicate overestimation of self-reported mobile phone use in comparison with traffic data obtained from network operators
Summary
The aim of the study was to evaluate the agreement between self-reported and operator-derived estimates of call time based on a three-month monitoring period, as well as the consistency of mobile phone use over time. Retrospective assessment of exposure based on self-report is problematic, since the accuracy of such estimates is poor and most studies have focused on the cancer risk, RF exposure from mobile phone use may cause brain tumors but possibly other diseases and symptoms [14]. As mobile phones are used by more than 90% of the adult population in many industrialized countries, even a minor excess risk would have a major public health impact Due to both methodological advantages and the wider scope of the outcomes, the need for a large, prospective cohort study on the health of mobile phone users has been recognized in several evaluations [15,16,17]. Such effects may be due either to psychological distress because of the perceived risk (nocebo) or neurophysiologic effects, which can be studied in a cohort study
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