Assessing the Observational Analytical Studies Published in Thai Health Journals Based on STROBE Guideline

Abstract

This descriptive study aimed to assess observational analytical studies of cohort, case-control and cross-sectional analytical studies published between January 2014 and December 2014 in Thai health journals based on the Strengthening the Reporting of Observational Studies in Epidemiology (STROBE) guideline. We selected 10 Thai health journals with the average highest Thai journal impact factor during 2011 - 2013 by Thai-Journal Citation Index Centre. We also selected the two Thai journals following the International Committee of Medical Journal Editors Recommendations within December 31, 2014. The eligible articles were downloaded from online or electronic journals. Frequencies were used to describe the articles reported each of STROBE suggested items. Mean percents and 95%CI of items reported per article were also presented. A total of 129 articles including 121 cross-sectional studies, 3 cohort studies and 5 case-control studies were evaluated. The mean overall compliance with STROBE statement was 59.9% (95%CI=57.7-62.1). The most frequently reported items of the checklist were stated specific objectives (98.4%), descriptive characteristics of study participants (97.7%) and outcome data of cross-sectional analytical studies (94.2%), all of cohort and case-control studies. The low reported items of the checklist were flow diagram of participants (0.8%) and bias (2.3%). In conclusion, less than three quarters of the suggested STROBE items was reported in the studied Thai articles. The Thai health journals should have STROBE guideline in the author instructions.