Assessing non-response to a mailed health survey including self-collection of biological material.
Eur J Public Health
; 21(4): 538-42, 2011 Aug.
Article
en En
| MEDLINE
| ID: mdl-20457781
ABSTRACT
BACKGROUND:
Collection of biological material via mailed health surveys is an emerging trend. This study was conducted to assess non-response bias in a study of sexually transmitted infection utilizing self-collected, home-obtained specimens.METHODS:
Data from a nationwide administrative database on health care utilization together with data from a research study were used. The research study was an outreach screening programme including home-obtained, participant-collected, mail-delivered testing for Chlamydia trachomatis. A random sample of 1690 persons aged 18-35 years from the population registry was selected. Study materials (specimen collection kit, informed consent, questionnaire) were mailed in three waves.RESULTS:
The first mailing yielded a response rate of 18.5% (n = 259), the second 10.1% (n = 141) and the third 11.4% (n = 160). Women were more likely to respond than men, and responders were less likely to have had medical care in the past year and more likely to have had a prior sexually transmitted infection than non-responders. Chlamydia trachomatis infection rates tended to be higher in early responders. Late responders appeared more like non-responders in terms of demographic factors, health care utilization patterns and potential disease status.CONCLUSION:
Non-response in a health survey including biological material self-collection warrants research as it may differ from non-response in general health questionnaires.
Texto completo:
1
Colección:
01-internacional
Banco de datos:
MEDLINE
Asunto principal:
Manejo de Especímenes
/
Infecciones por Chlamydia
/
Chlamydia trachomatis
/
Tamizaje Masivo
/
Encuestas Epidemiológicas
/
Negativa a Participar
Tipo de estudio:
Prognostic_studies
/
Screening_studies
Límite:
Adolescent
/
Adult
/
Female
/
Humans
/
Male
País/Región como asunto:
Europa
Idioma:
En
Revista:
Eur J Public Health
Asunto de la revista:
EPIDEMIOLOGIA
/
SAUDE PUBLICA
Año:
2011
Tipo del documento:
Article
País de afiliación:
Estonia