The importance of estimating selection bias on prevalence estimates shortly after a disaster.
OBJECTIVE
The aim was to study selective participation and its effect on prevalence estimates in a health survey of affected residents 3 weeks after a man-made disaster in The Netherlands (May 13, 2000).


METHODS
All affected adult residents were invited to participate. Survey (questionnaire) data were combined with electronic medical records of residents' general practitioners (GPs). Data for demographics, relocation, utilization, and morbidity 1 year predisaster and 1 year postdisaster were used.


RESULTS
The survey participation rate was 26% (N = 1171). Women (odds ratio [OR], 1.46; 95% confidence interval [CI], 1.28-1.67), those living with a partner (OR, 2.00; 95% CI, 1.72-2.33), those aged 45 to 64 years (OR, 2.00; 95% CI, 1.59-2.52), and immigrants (OR, 1.50; 95% CI, 1.30-1.74) were more likely to participate. Participation rate was not affected by relocation because of the disaster. Participants in the survey consulted their GPs for health problems in the year before and after the disaster more often than nonparticipants. Although there was selective participation, multiple imputation barely affected prevalence estimates of health problems in the survey 3 weeks postdisaster.


CONCLUSIONS
Estimating actual selection bias in disaster studies gives better information about the study representativeness. This is important for policy making and providing effective health care.
Grievink
Linda
L
Centre for Environmental Health Research, National Institute for Public Health and the Environment, Bilthoven, The Netherlands. linda.grievink@rivm.nl
van der Velden
Peter G
PG
Yzermans
C Joris
CJ
Roorda
Jan
J
Stellato
Rebecca K
RK
D000293:Adolescent; D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D003695:Delivery of Health Care / Q000706:statistics & numerical data*; D004190:Disasters / Q000706:statistics & numerical data*; D005260:Female; D006306:Health Surveys; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D009426:Netherlands; D010821:Physicians, Family; D015995:Prevalence; D015983:Selection Bias; D011795:Surveys and Questionnaires; D017741:Survivors / Q000706:statistics & numerical data*