Analysis of factors influencing telephone call response rate in an epidemiological study.
Descriptive epidemiology research involves collecting data from large numbers of subjects. Obtaining these data requires approaches designed to achieve maximum participation or response rates among respondents possessing the desired information. We analyze participation and response rates in a population-based epidemiological study though a telephone survey and identify factors implicated in consenting to participate. Rates found exceeded those reported in the literature and they were higher for afternoon calls than for morning calls. Women and subjects older than 40 years were the most likely to answer the telephone. The study identified geographical differences, with higher RRs in districts in southern Spain that are not considered urbanized. This information may be helpful for designing more efficient community epidemiology projects.
Department of Neurology, Hospital Clínico San Carlos, Avenida Prof. Martín Lagos S/N, 28040 Madrid, Spain.
Jorge
J
Matías-Guiu
Neurology and Neurophysiology Unit, Complejo Hospitalario Torrecárdenas, 04009 Almería, Spain.
Pedro Jesús
PJ
Serrano-Castro
Department of Neurology, Hospital Clínico Universitario Lozano Blesa, 50009 Zaragoza, Spain.
José Ángel
JÁ
Mauri-Llerda
Neurology Unit, Complejo Hospitalario Llerena-Zafra, 06900 Badajoz, Spain.
Francisco José
FJ
Hernández-Ramos
Department of Neurology, Hospital Clínico Universitario San Cecilio, 18012 Granada, Spain.
Juan Carlos
JC
Sánchez-Alvarez
Research Operations Office, IT Department, Spanish Society of Neurology, San Sebastian de los Reyes, 28701 Madrid, Spain.
Marisa
M
Sanz
D000293:Adolescent; D000328:Adult; D003625:Data Collection / Q000379:methods; D016021:Epidemiologic Studies; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D007407:Interviews as Topic / Q000379:methods*; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D009042:Motivation; D011159:Population Surveillance / Q000379:methods*; D013030:Spain / Q000453:epidemiology; D055815:Young Adult