BACKGROUND: The European Health Interview Survey (EHIS) provides cross-national data on health status, health care and health determinants. So far, 10 of the 30 member states (MS) opted for web-based questionnaires within mixed-mode designs but none used it as the sole mode. In the context of future EHIS, the response rate and net sample composition of a web-only approach was tested. METHODS: A Belgian study with a target sample size of 1000 (age: 16-85) was organized using the EHIS wave 3 model questionnaire. The sample was selected according to a multistage, clustered sampling procedure with geographical stratification. Field substitution was applied; non-participating households were replaced by similar households regarding statistical sector, sex and age. There was one reminder letter and a €10 conditional incentive. RESULTS: Considering all substitutions, a 16% response rate was obtained after sending one reminder. Elderly, Brussels Capital inhabitants, people living without a partner and those with a non-Belgian nationality were less responding. By design, there were no differences between the initial and final net sample regarding substitution characteristics. Nevertheless, people living without a partner, non-Belgians and lower educated people remain underrepresented. CONCLUSION: There was a low response rate, particularly for some population groups. The response rate was lower than those of MS using mixed-mode designs including web, especially these comprising interviewer-based approaches. Despite the long and complex questionnaire, there was a low break off rate. So far, web-only data collection is not an acceptable strategy for population-based health surveys but efforts to increase the response should be further explored.
BACKGROUND: The European Health Interview Survey (EHIS) provides cross-national data on health status, health care and health determinants. So far, 10 of the 30 member states (MS) opted for web-based questionnaires within mixed-mode designs but none used it as the sole mode. In the context of future EHIS, the response rate and net sample composition of a web-only approach was tested. METHODS: A Belgian study with a target sample size of 1000 (age: 16-85) was organized using the EHIS wave 3 model questionnaire. The sample was selected according to a multistage, clustered sampling procedure with geographical stratification. Field substitution was applied; non-participating households were replaced by similar households regarding statistical sector, sex and age. There was one reminder letter and a €10 conditional incentive. RESULTS: Considering all substitutions, a 16% response rate was obtained after sending one reminder. Elderly, Brussels Capital inhabitants, people living without a partner and those with a non-Belgian nationality were less responding. By design, there were no differences between the initial and final net sample regarding substitution characteristics. Nevertheless, people living without a partner, non-Belgians and lower educated people remain underrepresented. CONCLUSION: There was a low response rate, particularly for some population groups. The response rate was lower than those of MS using mixed-mode designs including web, especially these comprising interviewer-based approaches. Despite the long and complex questionnaire, there was a low break off rate. So far, web-only data collection is not an acceptable strategy for population-based health surveys but efforts to increase the response should be further explored.
Authors: Elise Braekman; Rana Charafeddine; Stefaan Demarest; Sabine Drieskens; Finaba Berete; Lydia Gisle; Johan Van der Heyden; Guido Van Hal Journal: Int J Public Health Date: 2020-01-29 Impact factor: 3.380
Authors: Elise Braekman; Stefaan Demarest; Rana Charafeddine; Sabine Drieskens; Finaba Berete; Lydia Gisle; Johan Van der Heyden; Guido Van Hal Journal: J Med Internet Res Date: 2022-01-07 Impact factor: 5.428
Authors: Nienke Schutte; Marlies Saelaert; Petronille Bogaert; Karin De Ridder; Herman Van Oyen; Johan Van der Heyden; Brecht Devleesschauwer Journal: Arch Public Health Date: 2022-08-11
Authors: Elise Braekman; Sabine Drieskens; Rana Charafeddine; Stefaan Demarest; Finaba Berete; Lydia Gisle; Jean Tafforeau; Johan Van der Heyden; Guido Van Hal Journal: BMC Med Res Methodol Date: 2019-11-21 Impact factor: 4.615