Factors associated with non-participation in a face-to-face second survey conducted 5 years after the baseline survey.
BACKGROUND
Non-participation in second surveys is reported to be associated with certain baseline characteristics; however, such data are unavailable for Japanese populations. Although disease incidence during follow-up might influence participation, few reports have addressed this possibility. This study sought to identify factors associated with non-participation in a second survey of a population-based cohort, and to evaluate the influence of self-reported disease incidence on non-participation.


METHODS
After excluding participants who left the area (n = 423), died (n = 163), and withdrew from the study (n = 9) among 12 078 participants in a baseline survey for the Japan Multi-Institutional Collaborative Cohort Study in the Saga region between 2005 and 2007, 11 483 people were invited by mail to participate in a face-to-face second survey between 2010 and 2012. The 5-year clinical health history of non-participants was assessed by mail or telephone. Baseline characteristics and self-reported clinical outcomes of non-participants were compared with those of participants.


RESULTS
Among 11 483 people, 8454 (73.6%) participated in the second survey, and 2608 out of 3029 non-participants answered mail or telephone health surveys. Female sex, youngest and oldest ages, lower education, lower occupational class, current smoking, lower physical activity level, shorter sleep time, obesity, and constipation were associated with non-participation. Light drinking (0.1-22.9 g ethanol/day) was associated with participation. Non-participants reported a significantly higher incidence of cancer and a significantly lower proportion of hypertension compared with participants.


CONCLUSIONS
Both baseline characteristics and disease incidence during the follow-up period had significant associations with non-participation in the face-to-face second survey.
Department of Preventive Medicine, Faculty of Medicine, Saga University.
Megumi
M
Hara
Chisato
C
Shimanoe
Yasuko
Y
Otsuka
Yuichiro
Y
Nishida
Hinako
H
Nanri
Mikako
M
Horita
Jun
J
Yasukata
Nobuyuki
N
Miyoshi
Yosuke
Y
Yamada
Yasuki
Y
Higaki
Keitaro
K
Tanaka
D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D003256:Community Participation / Q000706:statistics & numerical data*; D003625:Data Collection; D004194:Disease; D005260:Female; D005500:Follow-Up Studies; D006801:Humans; D015994:Incidence; D007564:Japan / Q000453:epidemiology; D008019:Life Style; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D057566:Self Report; D012959:Socioeconomic Factors