Non-response did not affect prevalence estimates of asthma and respiratory symptoms - results from a postal questionnaire survey of the general population.
Adult
Aged
Asthma
/ epidemiology
Conjunctivitis, Allergic
/ epidemiology
Female
Humans
Male
Middle Aged
Patient Participation
/ statistics & numerical data
Postal Service
Prevalence
Rhinitis, Allergic
/ epidemiology
Risk Factors
Smoking
/ epidemiology
Surveys and Questionnaires
/ statistics & numerical data
Sweden
/ epidemiology
Young Adult
Non-response
Participation rate
Population survey
Respiratory epidemiology
Journal
Respiratory medicine
ISSN: 1532-3064
Titre abrégé: Respir Med
Pays: England
ID NLM: 8908438
Informations de publication
Date de publication:
11 2020
11 2020
Historique:
received:
14
02
2020
revised:
06
05
2020
accepted:
08
05
2020
entrez:
16
11
2020
pubmed:
17
11
2020
medline:
9
6
2021
Statut:
ppublish
Résumé
A high participation rate is warranted in order to ensure validity in surveys of the general population. However, participation rates in such studies have declined during the last decades. To evaluate the reasons for and potential effects of non-response in a large population-based survey about asthma and respiratory symptoms in Northern Sweden. Within the Obstructive Lung Disease In Norrbotten (OLIN) studies, a random sample of 12,000 adults aged 20-79 was invited to a postal questionnaire survey about asthma, allergic rhino-conjunctivitis and respiratory symptoms in 2016. Three reminders were sent. A random sample of 500 non-responders was invited to a telephone interview. The participation rate in the initial mailing was 41.4%, and 9.2%, 5.0%, and 2.6% in the subsequent three reminders and totally 58.3% (n = 6854) responded. Of 500 non-responders selected for telephone interviews, 320 were possible to reach and 272 participated. Male sex, younger age, and current smoking were associated with both late and non-response. The prevalence of asthma and most respiratory symptoms did not differ significantly between responders and non-responders while allergic rhino-conjunctivitis and smoking was more common among non-responders. Reminders increased the participation rate but did not alter risk ratios for smoking and occupational exposures. Reasons for non-response were mainly lack of time and having forgotten to answer. With a response rate of 58.3%, neither the prevalence estimates of asthma, respiratory symptoms nor the associations to risk factors were affected by non-response, while allergic rhino-conjunctivitis and smoking was underestimated in this Swedish population.
Sections du résumé
BACKGROUND
A high participation rate is warranted in order to ensure validity in surveys of the general population. However, participation rates in such studies have declined during the last decades.
OBJECTIVE
To evaluate the reasons for and potential effects of non-response in a large population-based survey about asthma and respiratory symptoms in Northern Sweden.
METHODS
Within the Obstructive Lung Disease In Norrbotten (OLIN) studies, a random sample of 12,000 adults aged 20-79 was invited to a postal questionnaire survey about asthma, allergic rhino-conjunctivitis and respiratory symptoms in 2016. Three reminders were sent. A random sample of 500 non-responders was invited to a telephone interview.
RESULTS
The participation rate in the initial mailing was 41.4%, and 9.2%, 5.0%, and 2.6% in the subsequent three reminders and totally 58.3% (n = 6854) responded. Of 500 non-responders selected for telephone interviews, 320 were possible to reach and 272 participated. Male sex, younger age, and current smoking were associated with both late and non-response. The prevalence of asthma and most respiratory symptoms did not differ significantly between responders and non-responders while allergic rhino-conjunctivitis and smoking was more common among non-responders. Reminders increased the participation rate but did not alter risk ratios for smoking and occupational exposures. Reasons for non-response were mainly lack of time and having forgotten to answer.
CONCLUSIONS
With a response rate of 58.3%, neither the prevalence estimates of asthma, respiratory symptoms nor the associations to risk factors were affected by non-response, while allergic rhino-conjunctivitis and smoking was underestimated in this Swedish population.
Identifiants
pubmed: 33190739
pii: S0954-6111(20)30157-8
doi: 10.1016/j.rmed.2020.106017
pii:
doi:
Types de publication
Journal Article
Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't
Langues
eng
Sous-ensembles de citation
IM
Pagination
106017Informations de copyright
Copyright © 2020 Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.