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Warsaw 2009: Presentations and short courses

Sampling, recruitment and participation in recent health examination surveys in Europe

Session: Health Surveys in Europe

Authors:

Hanna Tolonen; National Institute for Health and Welfare (THL), Finland
Päivikki Koponen; National Institute for Health and Welfare (THL), Finland
Liv Grotvedt; Norwegian Public Health Institute, Norway
Sidsel Graff-Iversen; Norwegian Public Health Institute, Norway
Johan Heldal; Statistics Norway, Norway
Kari Kuulasmaa; National Institute for Health and Welfare (THL), Finland

Abstract:

The FEHES (Feasibility of a European Health Examination Survey) Project made a review of recent health examination surveys (HES) in Europe and prepared recommendations for future surveys.

A national HES has been carried out during 2000-2006 in 11 EU Member States (MS). Surveys focused mainly on adult population aged 25-64 years. The target population varied from all persons living in the country to the citizens of the country, depending on the available sampling frames. In some countries, people who could not communicate in the national language of the country were excluded. Most countries also excluded institutionalized people.

The sampling frames used for drawing individuals or households varied from population registers to census lists, address files, telephone directories, and electoral registers. About half of the surveys were individual based. The other half were household surveys, where usually 1 or 2 persons per household were examined.

The proportion of selected people found not-eligible varied from 1% to over 30%. Also the proportion of persons who could not be contacted varied considerably (1%-25%) between the surveys. The participation rates of the surveys varied from 20% to 93%.

Mass media was used in almost all surveys to inform public about the survey. Many surveys also had Internet sites with more information about the survey and a telephone line for further questions. The first contact to the selected persons was by mail, either through information or invitation letter in all surveys, except in one, where the first contact was a telephone call.

Varying definition of the target population and low response rates in some of the national HESs make comparative analysis difficult. The FEHES recommendations for future national HESs in Europe have set guidelines concerning the target population, eligibility criteria, sampling frame, and recruitment efforts as well as the definition and target level of participation rates. These aim to enhance the comparability of future national HESs in Europe.