The effect of mode of data collection and of non-response on reported alcohol consumption: a split-sample study in Switzerland.
OBJECTIVE
To examine (a) effects of different modes of data collection on the reporting of alcohol consumption and non-response rate, and (b) differences in reported consumption between respondents and non-respondents.


METHODS
Two versions of a health questionnaire survey were assigned to two random samples, one version to each sample. Version 1 consisted of a telephone interview without alcohol questions, followed by a mailed questionnaire with alcohol questions. Version 2 consisted of a telephone interview with alcohol questions, followed by a mailed questionnaire without alcohol questions.


METHODS
Participants were recruited randomly in eight Swiss cantons.


METHODS
Five hundred and thirty-seven (404) respondents to the telephone interview (and subsequent mailed questionnaire) with version 1, and 451 (360) with version 2.


METHODS
Alcohol-use variables derived from a quantity-frequency measure.


RESULTS
Respondents to the mailed questionnaire (version 2) did not differ significantly in alcohol consumption from non-respondents. Response rate was not affected by inclusion of alcohol questions, but respondents asked by telephone about their alcohol use were more often abstainers and less often hazardous drinkers than respondents to the mailed question.


CONCLUSIONS
The study gives no indication that interviews are refused because alcohol consumption is a questionnaire topic, but suggests that postal questionnaires give slightly greater disclosure of alcohol consumption.
Gmel
G
G
Swiss Institute for the Prevention of Alcohol and Drug Problems, Lausanne, Switzerland. ggmel@sfa-ispa.ch
D000293:Adolescent; D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D000428:Alcohol Drinking / Q000453:epidemiology*; D005260:Female; D006306:Health Surveys; D006801:Humans; D007407:Interviews as Topic; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D012107:Research Design; D013557:Switzerland / Q000453:epidemiology; D013689:Telephone; D014342:Truth Disclosure