Comparability of self rated health: cross sectional multi-country survey using anchoring vignettes.
OBJECTIVE
To examine differences in expectations for health using anchoring vignettes, which describe fixed levels of health on dimensions such as mobility.


METHODS
Cross sectional survey of adults living in the community.


METHODS
China, Myanmar, Sri Lanka, Pakistan, Turkey, and United Arab Emirates.


METHODS
3012 men and women aged 18 years and older (self ratings); subsample of 406 (vignette ratings).


METHODS
Self rated mobility levels and ratings of hypothetical vignettes using the same questions and response categories.


RESULTS
Consistent rankings of vignettes are evidence that vignettes are understood in similar ways in different settings, and internal consistency of orderings on two mobility questions indicates good comprehension. Variation in vignette ratings across age groups suggests that expectations for mobility decline with age. Comparison of responses to two different mobility questions supports the assumption that individual ratings of hypothetical vignettes relate to expectations for health in similar ways as self assessments.


CONCLUSIONS
Anchoring vignettes could provide a powerful tool for understanding and adjusting for the influence of different health expectations on self ratings of health. Incorporating anchoring vignettes in surveys can improve the comparability of self reported measures.
Salomon
Joshua A
JA
Department of Population and International Health, Center for Population and Development Studies, Harvard School of Public Health, 9 Bow Street, Cambridge, MA 02138, USA. jsalomon@hsph.harvard.edu
Tandon
Ajay
A
Murray
Christopher J L
CJ
D000293:Adolescent; D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D001294:Attitude to Health; D003431:Cross-Cultural Comparison; D003430:Cross-Sectional Studies; D005260:Female; D014943:Global Health; D006304:Health Status; D006306:Health Surveys; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D009069:Movement Disorders / Q000523:psychology*; D010865:Pilot Projects