Table 1.

Risk of Bias (ROB) Items. (a) Adapted from the Joanna Briggs Institute (JBI)s for Cross-Sectional Study

Risk of bias items
SELECTION
1. Selection of Sample
Were the criteria for inclusion in the sample clearly defined?
a) yes, low risk of bias (clear inclusion and exclusion criteria e.g., risk, stage of disease progression)
b) yes, high risk of bias (e.g., not stated in part (a))
c) no description, unclear risk of bias
EXPOSURE
1. Ascertainment of exposure
Was the exposure measured in a valid and reliable way?
a) yes, low risk of bias (clearly describe the method of measurement of exposure, assessing validity requires a ’gold standard’, reliability refers to intra and inter-observed reliability)
b) yes, high risk of bias (e.g., not stated in part (a))
c) no description of source, unclear risk of bias
2. Ascertainment of outcome
Were the outcome measured in the valid and reliable way?
a) yes, low risk of bias (e.g., measurement tools used were validated instruments; e.g., histological proved)
b) yes, high risk of bias (e.g., not stated in part (a))
c) no description of source, unclear risk of bias
3. Confounding factors
Were confounding factors indentified?
a) yes, low risk of bias (strategies to deal with effects of confounding factors e.g., study design or in data analysis (multiple analysis), matching or stratifying sampling of participants
b) yes, high risk of bias (e.g., not stated in part (a))
c) no description of source, unclear risk of bias
4. Non-Response rate
a) yes, low risk of bias (e.g., same rate for both groups)
b) yes, high risk of bias (e.g., non-respondents described; rate different and no designation)
c) no description of source, unclear risk of bias