Does computer survey technology improve reports on alcohol and illicit drug use in the general population? A comparison between two surveys with different data collection modes in France.
BACKGROUND
Previous studies have shown that survey methodology can greatly influence prevalence estimates for alcohol and illicit drug use. The aim of this article is to assess the effect of data collection modes on alcohol misuse and drug use reports by comparing national estimates from computer-assisted telephone interviews (CATI) and audio-computer-assisted self interviews (A-CASI).


METHODS



METHODS
Two national representative surveys conducted in 2005 in France by CATI (n = 24,674) and A-CASI (n = 8,111).


METHODS
French-speaking individuals aged [18]-[64] years old.


METHODS
Alcohol misuse according to the CAGE test, cannabis use (lifetime, last year, 10+ in last month) and experimentation with cocaine, LSD, heroin, amphetamines, ecstasy, were measured with the same questions and wordings in the two surveys. Multivariate logistic regressions controlling for sociodemographic characteristics (age, educational level, marital status and professional status) were performed. Analyses were conducted on the whole sample and stratified by age (18-29 and 30-44 years old) and gender. 45-64 years old data were not analysed due to limited numbers.


RESULTS
Overall national estimates were similar for 9 out of the 10 examined measures. However, after adjustment, A-CASI provided higher use for most types of illicit drugs among the youngest men (adjusted odds ratio, or OR, of 1.64 [1.08-2.49] for cocaine, 1.62 [1.10-2.38] for ecstasy, 1.99 [1.17-3.37] for LSD, 2.17 [1.07-4.43] for heroin, and 2.48 [1.41-4.35] for amphetamines), whereas use amongst women was similar in CATI and A-CASI, except for LSD in the 30-44 age group (OR = 3.60 [1.64-7.89]). Reported alcohol misuse was higher with A-CASI, for all ages and genders.


CONCLUSIONS
Although differences in the results over the whole population were relatively small between the surveys, the effect of data collection mode seemed to vary according to age and gender.
Institut National de Prévention et d'Education à la Santé (INPES), Saint-Denis, France ; Cermes3 - Cesames team (Research Centre Medicine, Sciences, Health, Mental Health, Health Policy), CNRS UMR 8211, Inserm U988, University of Paris Descartes, Sorbonne Paris Cité, EHESS, Paris, France.
François
F
Beck
Institut National de Prévention et d'Education à la Santé (INPES), Saint-Denis, France.
Romain
R
Guignard
Institut National des Etudes Démographiques (Ined), Paris, France ; Inserm, U669; Univ Paris-Sud and Univ Paris Descartes, UMR-S0669, Paris, France.
Stéphane
S
Legleye
D000293:Adolescent; D000328:Adult; D000437:Alcoholism / Q000453:epidemiology*; D001330:Electronic Data Processing / Q000379:methods; D005260:Female; D005602:France / Q000453:epidemiology; D006801:Humans; D013287:Illicit Drugs / Q000506:poisoning; D007407:Interviews as Topic / Q000379:methods*; D016015:Logistic Models; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D015999:Multivariate Analysis; D011159:Population Surveillance / Q000379:methods*; D015995:Prevalence; D015203:Reproducibility of Results; D019966:Substance-Related Disorders / Q000453:epidemiology* / Q000209:etiology; D055815:Young Adult
D013287:Illicit Drugs