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. 1990 Nov-Dec;105(6):617–622.

A comparison of elderly participants in a community survey with nonparticipants.

M M Adams 1, P A Scherr 1, L G Branch 1, L E Hebert 1, N R Cook 1, A M Lane 1, D B Brock 1, D A Evans 1, J O Taylor 1
PMCID: PMC1580178  PMID: 2124361

Abstract

In 1982-83, 4,485 persons ages 65 or older were identified by a household census in East Boston, MA: 3,812 (85 percent) of them responded to a health and social status questionnaire. Data on age, sex, and living arrangements for the 4,485 eligible people were analyzed with respect to final participation status and reason for refusal or reluctance. The health and social status of reluctant and ready self-respondents were compared, and respondents-by-proxy were compared with self-respondents. Total participation rates were similar for both sexes and all ages, but the likelihood of interview by proxy increased with age, as did the likelihood of nonparticipation due to unavailability. Living alone or with other participants favored participation, and living with refusers or other nonrespondents increased the probability of refusal. While reluctant and ready self-respondents differed in only one health variable and two social variables, respondents-by-proxy differed from self-respondents in most variables tested. These analyses suggest an absence of major differences between self-respondents and refusers. Therefore, nonresponse bias is not likely to have a major impact on interpretation of the data obtained from participants in this study.

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Selected References

These references are in PubMed. This may not be the complete list of references from this article.

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