Malte Langeheine1, Hermann Pohlabeln1, Wolfgang Ahrens1,2, Stefan Rach1. 1. Leibniz Institute for Prevention Research and Epidemiology - BIPS, Bremen, Germany. 2. Institute of Statistics, Faculty of Mathematics and Computer Science, University Bremen, Bremen, Germany.
Abstract
BACKGROUND: Declining response proportions in population-based studies are often countered by extended recruitment efforts at baseline that may, however, result in higher attrition in a subsequent follow-up. This study analysed the effect of extended recruitment efforts on attrition at the first follow-up of a child cohort. METHODS: We used paradata (i.e. information about the process of data collection) from the German IDEFICS cohort investigating dietary- and life style-induced health effects on children to quantify recruitment effort and classify respondents as completing the recruitment early vs. late for baseline and follow-up separately. Multilevel logistic regression models were used to investigate the association between recruitment effort and attrition at follow-up (loss to follow-up) adjusted for sociodemographic and health related variables. RESULTS: Individuals who were late respondents at baseline and early respondents at the follow-up had a higher chance of attrition (odds ratio 1.65, 95% confidence interval (CI) 1.19, 2.28) as compared to other groups. An investigation of reasons for non-participation revealed that members of this group were more likely to be not reachable by phone. CONCLUSIONS: An extended recruitment effort at baseline of a child cohort study is not per se associated with a higher chance of attrition at follow-up. Much care should be taken to collect valid telephone numbers.
BACKGROUND: Declining response proportions in population-based studies are often countered by extended recruitment efforts at baseline that may, however, result in higher attrition in a subsequent follow-up. This study analysed the effect of extended recruitment efforts on attrition at the first follow-up of a child cohort. METHODS: We used paradata (i.e. information about the process of data collection) from the German IDEFICS cohort investigating dietary- and life style-induced health effects on children to quantify recruitment effort and classify respondents as completing the recruitment early vs. late for baseline and follow-up separately. Multilevel logistic regression models were used to investigate the association between recruitment effort and attrition at follow-up (loss to follow-up) adjusted for sociodemographic and health related variables. RESULTS: Individuals who were late respondents at baseline and early respondents at the follow-up had a higher chance of attrition (odds ratio 1.65, 95% confidence interval (CI) 1.19, 2.28) as compared to other groups. An investigation of reasons for non-participation revealed that members of this group were more likely to be not reachable by phone. CONCLUSIONS: An extended recruitment effort at baseline of a child cohort study is not per se associated with a higher chance of attrition at follow-up. Much care should be taken to collect valid telephone numbers.
Authors: Malte Langeheine; Hermann Pohlabeln; Fabio Lauria; Toomas Veidebaum; Michael Tornaritis; Denes Molnar; Gabriele Eiben; Stefaan de Henauw; Luis A Moreno; Garrath Williams; Wolfgang Ahrens; Stefan Rach Journal: Front Pediatr Date: 2018-08-15 Impact factor: 3.418
Authors: Joy E Lawn; Hannah Blencowe; Vladimir Sergeevich Gordeev; Joseph Akuze; Angela Baschieri; Sanne M Thysen; Francis Dzabeng; M Moinuddin Haider; Melanie Smuk; Michael Wild; Michael M Lokshin; Temesgen Azemeraw Yitayew; Solomon Mokonnen Abebe; Davis Natukwatsa; Collins Gyezaho; Seeba Amenga-Etego Journal: Popul Health Metr Date: 2021-02-08