Disease Prevention Multiple Choice Questions Related

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A follow-up study was conducted of 3,000 military troops deployed at an atomic test site in Nevada to detect the occurrence of leukemia. A total of 1,870 persons were successfully traced by the investigators, and an additional 443 contacted the investigators on their own as a result of publicity about the study. Four cases of leukemia occurred among the 1,870 individuals traced by the investigators, and an additional four occurred among those individuals who contacted the investigators on their own. Could interpretation of the study results be subject to bias?

  • A. Yes, due to differential participation rates between the traced group and self-referrals.
  • B. No, because the number of leukemia cases is evenly distributed.
  • C. Yes, but only if the traced group had higher radiation exposure.
  • D. No, because the study design accounts for all possible biases.
Correct Answer: A

Rationale: Differential participation can lead to selection bias, especially if the characteristics of those who self-refer differ systematically from those traced by investigators.