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Does survey non-response bias the association between occupational social class and health?

Aims: A non-response rate of 20-40% is typical in questionnaire studies. The authors evaluate non-response bias and its impact on analyses of social class inequalities in health. Methods: Set in the context of a health survey carried out among the employees of the City of Helsinki (non-response 33%)...

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Published in:Scandinavian Journal of Public Health Vol. 35; no. 2; pp. 212 - 216
Main Authors: Martikainen P, Laaksonen M, Piha K, Lallukka T
Format: research Journal Article
Published: Sage Publications Inc. Mar2007
Online Access:View this record in EBSCOhost
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        atl: Does survey non-response bias the association between occupational social class and health?
      aug:
        au:
          Martikainen P
          Laaksonen M
          Piha K
          Lallukka T
      sug:
        subj:
          Bias (Research)
          Health Status
          Social Class
          Surveys
          Adult
          Female
          Finland
          Male
          Questionnaires
          Sick Leave
          Human
          Adult: 19-44 years
          Female
          Male
      ab: Aims: A non-response rate of 20-40% is typical in questionnaire studies. The authors evaluate non-response bias and its impact on analyses of social class inequalities in health. Methods: Set in the context of a health survey carried out among the employees of the City of Helsinki (non-response 33%) in 2000-02. Survey response and non-response records were linked with a personnel register to provide information on occupational social class and long sickness absence spells as an indicator of health status. Results: Women and employees in higher occupational social classes were more likely to respond. Non-respondents had about 20-30% higher sickness absence rates. Relative social class differences in sickness absence in the total population were similar to those among either respondents or non-respondents. Conclusions: In working populations survey non-response does not seriously bias analyses of social class inequalities in sickness absence and possibly health inequalities more generally.
      pubtype: Academic Journal
      doctype:
        research
        Journal Article
      ougenre: Article
    language: English
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