The 131st Annual Meeting (November 15-19, 2003) of APHA

Abstract #61705

Kristine Fahrney, MSc, Linda Dimitropoulos, PhD, and John Loft, PhD. Survey Research Division, RTI International, PO Box 112194, 3040 Cornwallis Road, Research Triangle Park, NC 27707, 919-485-5531, fahrney@rti.org

Recognition of the synergistic relationship between the biologic, social, genetic and environmental factors that impact behavior and health has increased the number of studies that combine survey data with the collection of physiological data. New Horizons in Health: An Integrative Approach published by the NIH Committee on Future Directions for Behavioral and Social Research focuses on ways to integrate research in the social, behavioral, and biomedical sciences to better understand the causes of disease and interventions that promote health. The need to combine the collection of survey data with biological data raises many questions. Will respondents perceive the collection of specimens as an added burden? What impact will the collection of biological specimens have on response rates? This paper reports the experience of from three rounds of a national longitudinal field study. The first round did not collect biospecimens. The second round required the collection of bloodspots using fingersticks at three points in time during a two-hour interview. The third round required a complete in-home physical examination and multiple vial blood draw. This paper will discuss compliance with the collection of the biologic samples both within and across the rounds of data collection. Discussion will include concerns of the field staff and respondents as well as a broader discussion of the operational challenges collecting physiological data in the field.

Learning Objectives:

• Describe several new capabilities for incorporating biological measures with field interviewing.
• Discuss the implications of biological sampling on panel retention in longitudinal field surveys.

Keywords: Survey, Data Collection

Presenting author's disclosure statement:
I do not have any significant financial interest/arrangement or affiliation with any organization/institution whose products or services are being discussed in this session.