[Assessment of answer repeatability in a questionnaire evaluation of respiratory tract symptoms in children].

Repeatability of parental answers to questions concerning respiratory symptoms and environmental exposure was examined in 250 children. Repeatability of answers, given two times with a 6 week interval, in 250 questionnaires was assessed with two methods: by accounting the percentage of the same answers and with the use of the Kappa test. It was demonstrated that answers concerning respiratory tract symptoms were characterized by the agreement rate of 77-99% and the Kappa values ranging from 0.44 to 0.76. The answers to questions concerning environmental factors were more satisfactory, with the agreement rate: 89-95% and the Kappa values: 0.68-0.93. The above results correspond to the literature data on repeatability of results of the standard questionnaire investigation; this testifies to credibility of the questionnaire investigation of the prevalence and risk factors in respiratory disorders in children.