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International Journal of Public Health

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01-10-2010 | Original Article

German wide cross sectional survey on health impacts of electromagnetic fields in the view of general practitioners

Authors: Bernd Kowall, Jürgen Breckenkamp, Kristina Heyer, Gabriele Berg-Beckhoff

Published in: International Journal of Public Health | Issue 5/2010

Abstract

Objectives

The proportion of general practitioners (GPs) in Germany who assume health impacts of electromagnetic fields (EMF) is assessed. Moreover, factors associated with this risk perception are examined.

Methods

A 7% random sample was drawn from online lists of all the GPs working in Germany. 1,867 doctors received a long version of a self-administered postal questionnaire about EMF and health (response rate 23.3%), 928 doctors received a short version (response rate 49.1%).

Results

37.3% of responders to the short and 57.5% of responders to the long questionnaire agreed “that there are persons whose health complaints are caused by EMF when legal limit values are met”. A late responder analysis for the survey with the short questionnaire led to a still lower estimate of 29% for GPs believing in health-relevant effects of EMF.

Conclusion

About a third of German GPs associate EMF with health complaints and thus deviate considerably from current scientific knowledge. To avoid a strong selection bias in the surveys of the perception of EMF risks, use of short questionnaires and late responder analysis are recommended.

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Title: German wide cross sectional survey on health impacts of electromagnetic fields in the view of general practitioners
Authors: Bernd Kowall
Jürgen Breckenkamp
Kristina Heyer
Gabriele Berg-Beckhoff
Publication date: 01-10-2010
Publisher: SP Birkhäuser Verlag Basel
Published in: International Journal of Public Health / Issue 5/2010
Print ISSN: 1661-8556
Electronic ISSN: 1661-8564
DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s00038-009-0110-2

At a glance: The ONWARDS insulin icodec trials

Springer Medicine

German wide cross sectional survey on health impacts of electromagnetic fields in the view of general practitioners

Abstract

Objectives

Methods

Results

Conclusion

At a glance: The ONWARDS insulin icodec trials

Springer Medicine

Abstract

Objectives

Methods

Results

Conclusion

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