%0 Journal Article %J Eur J Public Health %D 2019 %T Is the European Health Interview Survey online yet? Response and net sample composition of a web-based data collection. %A Elise Braekman %A Rana Charafeddine %A Stefaan Demarest %A Sabine Drieskens %A Jean Tafforeau %A Johan Van der Heyden %A Van Hal, Guido %K European health interview survey %K health interview survey %K sample composition %K unit response rate %X

BACKGROUND: The European Health Interview Survey (EHIS) provides cross-national data on health status, health care and health determinants. So far, 10 of the 30 member states (MS) opted for web-based questionnaires within mixed-mode designs but none used it as the sole mode. In the context of future EHIS, the response rate and net sample composition of a web-only approach was tested.

METHODS: A Belgian study with a target sample size of 1000 (age: 16-85) was organized using the EHIS wave 3 model questionnaire. The sample was selected according to a multistage, clustered sampling procedure with geographical stratification. Field substitution was applied; non-participating households were replaced by similar households regarding statistical sector, sex and age. There was one reminder letter and a €10 conditional incentive.

RESULTS: Considering all substitutions, a 16% response rate was obtained after sending one reminder. Elderly, Brussels Capital inhabitants, people living without a partner and those with a non-Belgian nationality were less responding. By design, there were no differences between the initial and final net sample regarding substitution characteristics. Nevertheless, people living without a partner, non-Belgians and lower educated people remain underrepresented.

CONCLUSION: There was a low response rate, particularly for some population groups. The response rate was lower than those of MS using mixed-mode designs including web, especially these comprising interviewer-based approaches. Despite the long and complex questionnaire, there was a low break off rate. So far, web-only data collection is not an acceptable strategy for population-based health surveys but efforts to increase the response should be further explored.

%B Eur J Public Health %8 2019-11-07 %G eng %N ckz206 %R 10.1093/eurpub/ckz206