Conducting a national survey of women's perinatal experiences in Canada: sampling challenges.
In 1999, the Canadian Perinatal Surveillance System of Health Canada decided to undertake a national survey of Canadian women's experiences of their pregnancy, birth and postpartum care. The challenges encountered in selecting a representative sampling frame and developing a sound methodology for conducting a survey of Canadian women at six months after birth are addressed. We considered the advantages and disadvantages of six different sampling options. A sample based on the Census emerged as the optimal approach for providing the most reliable and representative sample.
Chalmers
Beverley
B
Dept. of Community Health and Epidemiology, Queen's University, Kingston, ON. bevc@lincsat.com
Dzakpasu
Susie
S
Heaman
Maureen
M
Kaczorowski
Janusz
J
Szakacs
Hajnal Molnar
HM
D002170:Canada; D005260:Female; D019538:Health Care Surveys; D006801:Humans; D017060:Patient Satisfaction; D018743:Perinatal Care; D049590:Postpartum Period; D016387:Women's Health