A population comparison of participants and nonparticipants in a health survey.
OBJECTIVE
This study examined the characteristics of Air Force recruits willing to take part in a health survey vs those unwilling to participate.


METHODS
US Air Force recruits undergoing basic military training (n = 32,144) were surveyed regarding demographic and health variables.


RESULTS
Respondents indicating an unwillingness to participate in a health survey reported less healthy lifestyles than those willing to participate. Prediction equations modeling the characteristics of those engaging in 4 risky behaviors were nearly identical regardless of whether those refusing to participate were included.


CONCLUSIONS
Results suggest that, despite some low estimates of health behaviors due to response bias, relationships between most risk factors are generally unaffected by those not responding to health surveys.
Klesges
R C
RC
University of Memphis, Tenn., USA. bklesges@cc.memphis.edu
Williamson
J E
JE
Somes
G W
GW
Talcott
G W
GW
Lando
H A
HA
Haddock
C K
CK
D000293:Adolescent; D000328:Adult; D005260:Female; D015438:Health Behavior; D006306:Health Surveys; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008889:Military Personnel; D012044:Regression Analysis; D015983:Selection Bias; D014481:United States / Q000453:epidemiology