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BMC Geriatrics
Published in: BMC Geriatrics 1/2016

Open Access 01-12-2016 | Research article

Baseline participation in a health examination survey of the population 65 years and older: who is missed and why?

Authors: Beate Gaertner, Ina Seitz, Judith Fuchs, Markus A. Busch, Martin Holzhausen, Peter Martus, Christa Scheidt-Nave

Published in: BMC Geriatrics | Issue 1/2016

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Abstract

Background

Public health monitoring depends on valid health and disability estimates in the population 65+ years. This is hampered by high non-participation rates in this age group. There is limited insight into size and direction of potential baseline selection bias.

Methods

We analyzed baseline non-participation in a register-based random sample of 1481 inner-city residents 65+ years, invited to a health examination survey according to demographics available for the entire sample, self-report information as available and reasons for non-participation. One year after recruitment, non-responders were revisited to assess their reasons.

Results

Five groups defined by participation status were differentiated: participants (N = 299), persons who had died or moved (N = 173), those who declined participation, but answered a short questionnaire (N = 384), those who declined participation and the short questionnaire (N = 324), and non-responders (N = 301). The results confirm substantial baseline selection bias with significant underrepresentation of persons 85+ years, persons in residential care or from disadvantaged neighborhoods, with lower education, foreign citizenship, or lower health-related quality of life. Finally, reasons for non-participation could be identified for 78 % of all non-participants, including 183 non-responders.

Conclusion

A diversity in health problems and barriers to participation exists among non-participants. Innovative study designs are needed for public health monitoring in aging populations.
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Metadata
Title
Baseline participation in a health examination survey of the population 65 years and older: who is missed and why?
Authors
Beate Gaertner
Ina Seitz
Judith Fuchs
Markus A. Busch
Martin Holzhausen
Peter Martus
Christa Scheidt-Nave
Publication date
01-12-2016
Publisher
BioMed Central
Published in
BMC Geriatrics / Issue 1/2016
Electronic ISSN: 1471-2318
DOI
https://doi.org/10.1186/s12877-016-0185-6

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WHO estimates that half of all patients worldwide are non-adherent to their prescribed medication. The consequences of poor adherence can be catastrophic, on both the individual and population level.

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