Methods used for successful follow-up in a large scale national cohort study in Thailand.

ABSTRACT:

Background

Ensuring successful follow-up is essential when conducting a prospective cohort study. Most existing literature reviewing methods to ensure a high response rate is based on experience in developed nations.

Findings

We report our 4-year follow-up success for a national cohort study examining the health transition underway in Thailand. We began the cohort study in 2005 with a baseline postal questionnaire sent to all 200,000 Thais enrolled as distance learning students at Sukhothai Thammathirat Open University and residing all over Thailand; 87,134 or 44% of the students responded. Subsequently we used University and national media to inform cohort members of study progress. Also, we prepared a health book with study results and health advice which was distributed t

SUBMITTER: Seubsman SA 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC3123220 | biostudies-literature | 2011 May

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature