Growing cell-phone population and noncoverage bias in traditional random digit dial telephone health surveys.

ABSTRACT:

Objective

Examine the effect of including cell-phone numbers in a traditional landline random digit dial (RDD) telephone survey.

Data sources

The 2007 California Health Interview Survey (CHIS).

Data collection methods

CHIS 2007 is an RDD telephone survey supplementing a landline sample in California with a sample of cell-only (CO) adults.

Study design

We examined the degree of bias due to exclusion of CO populations and compared a series of demographic and health-related characteristics by telephone usage.

Principal findings

When adjusted for noncoverage in the landline sample through weighting, the potential noncoverage bias due to excluding CO adults in landline telephone surveys is diminished. Both CO adults and adults who have both landline and cell

SUBMITTER: Lee S 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC2910572 | biostudies-literature | 2010 Aug

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature