P Räisänen1, L Hedman2, M Andersson3, C Stridsman3, A Lindberg4, B Lundbäck5, E Rönmark3, H Backman2. 1. Department of Public Health and Clinical Medicine, Section of Sustainable Health/the OLIN Unit, Umeå University, Umeå, Sweden. Electronic address: petri.raisanen@norrbotten.se. 2. Department of Public Health and Clinical Medicine, Section of Sustainable Health/the OLIN Unit, Umeå University, Umeå, Sweden; Department of Health Sciences, Luleå University, Luleå, Sweden. 3. Department of Public Health and Clinical Medicine, Section of Sustainable Health/the OLIN Unit, Umeå University, Umeå, Sweden. 4. Department of Public Health and Clinical Medicine, Section of Medicine/the OLIN Unit, Umeå University, Umeå, Sweden. 5. Department of Public Health and Clinical Medicine, Section of Sustainable Health/the OLIN Unit, Umeå University, Umeå, Sweden; Krefting Research Centre, Institute of Medicine, University of Gothenburg, Gothenburg, Sweden.
Abstract
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.
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.
Authors: Johanna Callhoff; Hannes Jacobs; Katinka Albrecht; Joachim Saam; Angela Zink; Falk Hoffmann Journal: Int J Environ Res Public Health Date: 2020-12-09 Impact factor: 3.390
Authors: Heidi Andersén; Pinja Ilmarinen; Jasmin Honkamäki; Leena E Tuomisto; Hanna Hisinger-Mölkänen; Helena Backman; Bo Lundbäck; Eva Rönmark; Tari Haahtela; Anssi Sovijärvi; Lauri Lehtimäki; Päivi Piirilä; Hannu Kankaanranta Journal: ERJ Open Res Date: 2022-01-24
Authors: Heidi Andersén; Pinja Ilmarinen; Jasmin Honkamäki; Leena E Tuomisto; Hanna Hisinger-Mölkänen; Helena Backman; Bo Lundbäck; Eva Rönmark; Lauri Lehtimäki; Anssi Sovijärvi; Päivi Piirilä; Hannu Kankaanranta Journal: J Asthma Allergy Date: 2021-09-07