Abstract
The aim was to characterize non-participants and to investigate reasons for non-participation in a health survey in Kin-Hu township, Kinmen, Republic of China. The non-participants represented 25.6% of the target population of 4451 registered residents aged 30 and older. Baseline demographic characteristics and two-year mortality for the participants and non-participants were compared. A house-to-house visit was attempted to all of the non-participants for reasons of refusal. The mean age of the non- participants was significantly older than that of the participants (54.3 versus 48.5 years, p < 0.001). The response rate for women was significantly higher than that for men (77.2% versus 71.6%, p < 0.001). The probability of death was significantly different between the two groups (1.2% versus 8.8% for participants and non-participants, respectively, p < 0.001). Major reason for not having participated in the health survey was ‘not notified or informed of the examination’ (32.7%). These data suggest that non-participants were less healthy.
This is a preview of subscription content, log in via an institution to check access.
Similar content being viewed by others
References
Chen CH, Chuang JH, Kuo HS, Chang MS, Wang SP, Chou P. A population-based epidemiological study on cardiovascular risk factors in Kin-Chen, Kinmen. Int J Cardiol 1995
Chou P, Liao MJ, Kuo HS, Hsiao KJ, Tsai ST. A population survey on the prevalence of diabetes in Kin-Hu, Kinmen. Diabetes Care 1994; 17: 1055–1058.
Chen CH, Lin HC, Kuo HS, Chang MS, Chou P. Epidemiology of hypertension in Kin-Hu, Kinmen. Am J Hypertens 1995; 8: 395–403.
Chou P, Chen CH, Chiu CF, Chang MS. Community-based epidemiological study on hypertension in Pu-Li, Taiwan. Am J Hypertens 1992; 5: 608–615.
Rockwood K, Stolee P, Robertson D, Shillington ER. Response bias in a health status survey of elderly people. Age and Ageing 1989; 18: 177–182.
Siemiatycki J, Campbell S. Nonresponse bias and early versus all responders in mail and telephone surveys. Am J Epidemiol 1984; 120: 291–301.
Chou P. A community-based screening for liver, cervical and colorectal cancer in Taiwan. Cancer J 1990; 3: 315–320.
Austin MA, Criqui MH, Barrett-Connor E, Holdbrook MJ. The effect of response bias on the odds ratio. Am J Epidemiol 1981; 114: 137–143.
Cobb D, King S, Chen E. Differences between respondents and nonrespondents in a morbidity survey involving clinical examination. J Chron Dis 1957; 6: 95–108.
Gordon T, Moore FE, Shurtleff D, Dawber TR. Some methodologic problems in the long-term study of cardiovascular disease: Observations on the Framingham study. J Chron Dis 1959; 10: 186–206.
Napier JA. Field methods and response rates in the Tecumseh community health study. Am J Public Health 1962; 52: 208–216.
Barton J, Bain C, Hennekens CH, Rosner B, Belanger C, Roth A, Speizer FE. Characteristics of respondents and non-respondents to a mailed questionnaire. Am J Public Health 1980; 70: 823–825.
Adams MME, Scherr PA, Branch LG, Hebert LE, Cook NR, Lane AM, Brock DB, Evans DA, Taylor JO. A comparison of elderly participants in a community survey with nonparticipants. Public Health Rep 1990; 105: 617–622.
Heilbrun LK, Ross PD, Wasnich RD, Yano K, Vogel JM. Characteristics of respondents and nonrespondents in a prospective study of osteoporosis. J Clin Epidemiol 1991; 44: 233–239.
Vernon SW, Roberts RE, Lee ES. Ethnic status and participation in longitudinal health surveys. Am J Epidemiol 1984; 119: 99–113.
Macera CA, Jackson KL, Davis DR, Kronenfeld JJ, Blair SN. Patterns of non-response to a mail survey. J Clin Epidemiol 1990; 43: 1427–1430.
Walker M, Shaper AG, Cook DG. Non-participation and mortality in a prospective study of cardiovascular disease. J Epidemiol Community Health 1987; 41: 295–299.
Dunn JP, Hawkes R. Comparison of respondents and nonrespondents in a periodic health examination program to a mailed questionnaire. Am J Public Health 1966; 56: 230–236.
Wilhelmsen L, Ljungberg S, Wedel H, Werko L. A comparison between participants and non-participants in a primary preventive trial. J Chron Dis 1976; 29: 331–339.
Criqui MH, Austin M, Barrett-Connor E. The effect of non-response on risk ratios in a cardiovascular disease study. J Chron Dis 1979; 32: 633–638.
Rosengren A, Wilhelmsen L, Berglund G, Elmfeldt D. Non-participants in a general population study of men, with special reference to social and alcoholic problems. Acta Med Scand 1987; 221: 243–251.
Donato F, Bollani A, Spiazzi R, Soldo M, Pasquale L, Monarca S, Lucini L, Nardi G. Factors associated with non-participation of women in a breast cancer screening programme in a town in northern Italy. J Epidemiol Community Health 1991; 45: 59–64.
Bakke P, Gulsvic A, Lilleng P, Overa O, Hanoa R, Eide GE. Postal survey on airborne occupational exposure and respiratory disorders in Norway: Causes and consequences of non-response. J Epidemiol Community Health 1990; 44: 316–320.
Criqui MH, Barrett-Connor E, Austin M. Differences between respondents and non-respondents in a population-based cardiovascular disease study. Am J Epidemiol 1978; 108: 367–372.
Chou P, Liao MJ, Kuo H, Wu GS, Hsiao KJ, Jap TS, Chiang H, Chang MS. Program description and preliminary health survey data in Kin-Hu, Kinmen. Chin Med J (Taipei) 1993; 52: 241–248.
Author information
Authors and Affiliations
Rights and permissions
About this article
Cite this article
Chou, P., Kuo, HS., Chen, CH. et al. Characteristics of non-participants and reasons for non- participation in a population survey in Kin-Hu, Kinmen. Eur J Epidemiol 13, 195–200 (1997). https://doi.org/10.1023/A:1007384525568
Issue Date:
DOI: https://doi.org/10.1023/A:1007384525568