Non-response did not affect prevalence estimates of asthma and respiratory symptoms - results from a postal questionnaire survey of the general population

• BackgroundA 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.ObjectiveTo evaluate the reasons for and potential effects of non-response in a large population-based survey about asthma and respiratory symptoms in Northern Sweden.MethodsWithin 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.ResultsThe 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.ConclusionsWith 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.

Ämnesord

MEDICIN OCH HÄLSOVETENSKAP  -- Hälsovetenskap -- Omvårdnad (hsv//swe)

MEDICAL AND HEALTH SCIENCES  -- Health Sciences -- Nursing (hsv//eng)

MEDICIN OCH HÄLSOVETENSKAP  -- Klinisk medicin -- Lungmedicin och allergi (hsv//swe)

MEDICAL AND HEALTH SCIENCES  -- Clinical Medicine -- Respiratory Medicine and Allergy (hsv//eng)

Nyckelord

Non-response

Participation rate

Population survey

Respiratory epidemiology

Nursing

Omvårdnad

Non-response

Participation rate

Population survey

Respiratory epidemiology

Publikations- och innehållstyp

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