Assisted Telephone Interview Research Articles

Application of Protective Measures against COVID-19 in Polish Production Companies

The study aimed to identify and analyze measures used in manufacturing enterprises to protect workers from COVID-19 infection and maintain business continuity. Measures were identified based on literature studies, recommendations presented in the guidelines of international and national organizations, information from manufacturing companies, and the study authors’ expertise. Measures were classified into five groups. A survey was conducted using a mixed model Computer Assisted Web Interview/Computer Assisted Telephone Interview (CAWI/CATI) on a representative group of 600 manufacturing companies in Poland. Measures were analyzed according to the occurrence or non-occurrence of COVID-19 in the enterprise. It was confirmed that the vast majority of identified measures were being applied, and enterprises implemented other solutions developed in-house. Legal and regulatory measures, individual protective measures, and protective measures for groups of workers were mainly applied at similar levels, both in the occurrence or non-occurrence of COVID-19. The implementation measures of work organization and production organization are mostly higher in enterprises without COVID-19. The proposed approach can be the basis for developing a methodology for studies of crisis events of a similar nature. The results can be used to select and implement a set of measures for an individual enterprise.

Safety and use of complementary and alternative medicine in Norway during the first wave of the COVID-19 pandemic using an adapted version of the I-CAM-Q; a cross-sectional survey

BackgroundThe COVID-19 pandemic lockdown has had a profound impact on physical and mental well-being throughout the world. Previous studies have revealed that complementary and alternative medicine (CAM) is frequently used for, and can be potential beneficial for strengthening physical mental resilience. The aims of this study were therefore to determine the prevalence and reasons for use of CAM during the first wave of the COVID-19 pandemic among a representative sample of the Norwegian population, and further determine self-reported effects and adverse effects of the CAM modalities used.MethodsComputer assisted telephone interviews using a COVID-adapted I-CAM-Q questionnaire were conducted with 1008 randomly selected Norwegians aged 16 and above using multistage sampling during April and May 2020 applying age and sex quotas for each area. Frequencies, Pearson’s chi-square tests, Fisher exact tests, and independent sample t-test were used to identify the users of CAM, what they used, why they used it and whether they experienced effect and/or adverse effects of the modalities used, and further to describe differences in sociodemographic factors associated with CAM use. Cronbach's alpha tests were used to test for internal consistency in the different groups of CAM. Significance level was set to p < 0.05.ResultsThe study revealed that two thirds of the respondents (67%) had used CAM within the first 3 months of the COVID-19 pandemic, in particular CAM modalities that did not involve a provider. Most used were natural remedies and dietary supplement (57%, mainly vitamins and minerals), but self-help practices like yoga and meditation were also widely used (24%). Women used CAM modalities significantly more than men (77% vs. 58%). Most of the respondents found the modalities they used beneficial, and few reported adverse effects of the treatments.ConclusionsA large proportion of the Norwegian population used CAM during the first wave of the COVID-19 pandemic with high satisfaction and few reported adverse effects. CAM was rarely used to prevent or treat COVID-19, but rather to treat a long-term health condition, and to improve well-being.

Ensuring the business continuity of production companies in conditions of COVID-19 pandemic in Poland – Applied measures analysis

The purpose of the paper is to present the results of the study of solutions implemented in Polish manufacturing companies to ensure their business continuity under COVID-19 pandemic conditions. A questionnaire survey was conducted using the mixed-model CAWI/CATI (Computer Assisted Web Interview/Computer Assisted Telephone Interview) on a representative group of 600 manufacturing companies in Poland. The research was conducted in March 2021, more than a year after the first lockdown. The study included cases of companies in most industries and companies of different sizes. The subject of the survey was to identify legal, technical, and organisational protection measures implemented in manufacturing enterprises in response to the COVID-19 pandemic in manufacturing companies in Poland.The COVID-19 pandemic has forced companies to look for solutions to work safely. Some of the identified work and production organisation solutions are innovative and can serve as models of good practice for other companies. They can also be the basis for learning lessons and preparing for future critical incidents. It is a great economic and social importance to ensure the continuity of the activities of manufacturing enterprises during the pandemic.

Smoking prevalence, nicotine dependence, and intention to quit among cigarettes smokers

Abstract Introduction Tobacco consumption remains a challenging issue to the global and public health that requires close monitoring of the spread of this epidemic and its impact. This study aims to assess the national prevalence and determinates of cigarette smoking and nicotine dependence in Saudi Arabia. Methods A cross-sectional national survey of a sample of 5148 of Saudi residents' ages 18 years or older was conducted through web-based-computer assisted telephone interviews. The two main measurements were current cigarette smoking status and nicotine dependence assessed using the Fagerstrom Test for Nicotine Dependence. Data was weighted by age, gender, and region to account for the different probabilities of selection. Descriptive and logistic regression analyses were used to assess cigarette smoking and nicotine dependence determinants. Results The national prevalence of cigarette smoking was 16.18% (95% CI:14.59-17.77) with 14.12% (95% CI:12.64-15.59) current daily smoking prevalence. Almost 72% of smokers started smoking before the age of 22 and 27% of smokers were highly dependent on nicotine. Having a smoker parent (AOR=1.84[95%CI:1.31-2.58], P &amp;lt; 0.001) or a smoker close friend (AOR=6.49[95%CI:3.89-10.81], P &amp;lt; 0.001) were significantly associated with being a smoker. Higher nicotine dependence level was significantly associated with early onset of regular smoking (ages&amp;lt;18) (AOR=2.71 [95%CI:1.38-5.34],P&amp;lt;0.001) and lower attempting to quit (AOR=0.51[95% CI:0.32-0.83],P&amp;lt;0.01). Conclusions Cigarettes smoking and nicotine dependence are prevalent in Saudi Arabia. The study found the majority of smokers started regular smoking before the age of 22 and the early onset of smoking was associated with a higher nicotine dependence level. Restrict access to tobacco products to those below the age of 22 will help reduce smoking prevalence and lifetime addiction to nicotine. Key messages Majority of smokers initiated smoking by the age of 21 and early regular smoking initiation was associated with higher nicotine dependence. Strategies to prevent initiation before the age of 21 will help prevent addiction to nicotine.

Passive smoking and knowledge of its health hazards in the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia

Abstract Introduction Exposure to secondhand smoke is a major public health issue that requires assessing its magnitude. This study assesses the current status of passive smoking and its determinates in the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia. Methods This national study conducted in the 13 regions of Saudi Arabia through web-based-computer assisted telephone interviews. The two main measurements were passive smoking among nonsmokers and smoking behaviors in microenvironments among smokers. Data on socio-economic and demographical data, smoking status, attitude, and knowledge on passive smoking impacts were also collected. Data was weighted by age, gender, and region to account for the different probabilities of selection. Results Exposure to secondhand smoke among non-smokers was 44%. Smoking at home with the presence of children in the same room was prevalent (25% cigarettes smokers, 30% waterpipe smokers). About 18% of smokers smoke inside their cars while children on-board. Only 34.4% of smokers perceived, “to a very large extent”, the harms of their smoking might be doing to others. As the knowledge on secondhand smoking exposure health risks increases the smokers were less likely to smoke in microenvironment (R= -0.16, p value&amp;lt; 0.01). Almost half of the population (49.1wt.%) were “extremely concerned” about the effect of passive smoking on their health in the future. Conclusions Passive smoking is prevalent in the Saudi population and a proportion of smokers smokes in microenvironments with the presence of children. Further preventive and promotion strategies are needed to protect the public from the hazards of passive smoking with special attention to vulnerable populations. Key messages Identify the association between knowledge of the associated health risks with exposure to passive smoking and smoker behaviors that expose nonsmokers to tobacco smoke in private micro-environments. Assess the impact of individual knowledge of passive smoking associated health risks and vulnerability to passive tobacco smoke exposure.

La satisfacción como indicador de calidad de relaciones entre fabricante y proveedor en Sudáfrica

Trust, commitment and satisfaction are three important commonly-identified constructs in establishing close manufacturer-supplier business relationships in competitive markets. There is, however, a lack of consensus on how these three constructs relate to one another. This study aims at testing whether satisfaction plays an important mediating role between commitment and trust, and whether satisfaction influences the three important outcomes in business relationships namely: cooperation, coordination and continuity. Data was collected organisations that are part of the 500 largest companies in South Africa using computer- assisted telephone interviews. The findings support the proposed conceptual framework of the study, which show that trust and commitment are positively related to satisfaction, and that satisfaction is positively related to coordination, cooperation and continuity. An important contribution is made by this study regarding the understanding of the nomological network of quality constructs in manufacturer-supplier relationships. The results support the importance of developing trusting and committed relationships that increase satisfaction as precursors for ensuring coordination, cooperation and continuity of business relationships. Key words: Satisfaction, trust, commitment, coordination, cooperation, continuity, relationship marketing, South Africa.

Impact evaluation of the Act‐Belong‐Commit mental health promotion campaign

PurposeAct‐Belong‐Commit is a community‐based positive mental health promotion campaign that targets individuals to engage in activities that enhance their mental health while targeting community organisations that provide such activities to promote their activities under the banner of the Act‐Belong‐Commit message. This paper aims to detail key findings from a population impact evaluation of the campaign conducted in 2010.Design/methodology/approachComputer‐assisted telephone interviews (CATI) were conducted on a randomly selected adult sample (n=1,113) using quotas to obtain equal representation by age and gender. The questionnaire contained items gauging campaign reach, the impact of the campaign on individual beliefs and behaviours, and perceived societal impact of the campaign on mental illness stigma and openness to mental health issues.FindingsThe campaign reached 75 per cent of the population. Amongst those exposed to the campaign, 25 per cent reported changing the way they thought about mental health and mental illness, and 20 per cent reported some behaviour change. The campaign was perceived to be effective in making people more open about mental health issues (77 per cent of reached respondents) and reducing stigma surrounding mental illness (68 per cent of reached respondents).Practical implicationsThe campaign provides a framework for increasing mental health literacy on a population scale.Originality/valueWith its focus on the positive aspects of mental health, the paper shows that the campaign is unique in promoting behaviours that people can and should do to build and maintain good mental health, while also encouraging community organisations and groups that provide mentally healthy activities to partner with the campaign to make mental health “everybody's business”.

Measuring barriers to incontinence care seeking

The objective of this study was to establish the factor validity of a modified Melnyck's Barrier Scale and estimate its reliability in an ethnically heterogeneous incontinent female population. Computer assisted telephone interviews (CATI) were conducted on a nonprobability sample of 275 incontinent females (95 Caucasian, 95 African American, 80 Hispanic, 5 Other). Study participants were asked to rate the degree to which barrier items affected their seeking medical care for incontinence on a 4-point Likert scale ranging from 0 (none) to 3 (greatly). A confirmatory factor analysis was conducted to confirm the structure of the modified Melnyk's Barrier Scale and assess its fit in our racially heterogeneous incontinent female population. Cronbach's alpha coefficients were estimated to establish the reliability of the final barrier measurement model and its subscales. The 14-item modified Melnyk's Barrier Scale contained 3 items that loaded on the inconvenience factor (factor loadings 0.659-0.812). Three items loaded on the relationship factor (factor loadings 0.452-0.796). Two items loaded on the site-related factor (factor loadings 0.554-0.960). Three items loaded on the cost factor (factor loadings 0.481-0.891). Three items loaded on the fear factor (factor loadings 0.457-0.624). Cronbach's alpha coefficient for the final 14-item modified Melnyk's Barrier Scale was 0.828 (Inconvenience subscale 0.79, Relationship subscale 0.68, Site related subscale 0.69, cost subscale 0.71, fear subscale 0.57). We offer the Barriers to Incontinence Care Seeking questionnaire (BICS-Q) to epidemiologic researchers, given its factor validity and reliability, to operationalize barriers when studying relationships between ethnicity and health care disparities.

An Experimental Comparison of Web and Telephone Surveys

We carried out an experiment that compared telephone and Web versions of a questionnaire that assessed attitudes toward sci- ence and knowledge of basic scientific facts. Members of a random digit dial (RDD) sample were initially contacted by telephone and answered a few screening questions, including one that asked whether they had Internet access. Those with Intern et access were randomly assigned to complete either a Web version of the questionnaire or a computer- assisted telephone interview. Ther e were four main findings. First, although we offered cases assigned to the Web survey a larger incen- tive, fewer of them completed the online questionnaire; almost all those who were assigned to the telephone condition completed the interview. The two samples of Web users nonetheless had similar demographic characteristics. Second, the Web surv ey produced less item nonresponse than the telephone survey. The Web questionnaire prompted respon- dents when they left an item blank, whereas the telephone interviewers accepted no opinion answers without probing them. Third, Web respondents gave less differentiated an swers to batteries of attitude items than their telephone counterparts . The Web questionnaire presented these items in a grid that may have made their similarity more salient.

The availability of smoke-free dining in licensed premises following the introduction of the NSW Smoke-free Environment Act

Issue addressed: Legislation mandating smoke-free dining in licensed premises is often less than comprehensive. The NSW Smoke free Environment Act as applied to licensed premises has a range of exemptions, to the extent that it is not clear as to its impact on the availability of smoke-free dining opportunities in licensed premises. Methods: To establish the availability of smoke-free dining in such premises one month after the legislation came into effect, we approached the licensee or manager of the 362 hotels and registered clubs in a non-metropolitan region of NSW to complete a computer- assisted telephone interview (CATI). Results: Two hundred and ninety eight (82%) establishments agreed to participate and of these, 255 (86%) served genuine meals. One hundred and fifty eight (62%) of these had dining areas that were required to be smoke free under the Act. However, 205 (80%) of the premises had at least one smoke-free dining area. Fifty two (23%) premises had implemented bans since the introduction of the legislation. No premises reported changing their dining style to one not required to be smoke free. Conclusions: Smoke- free dining was available in most licensed premises. However, in 47 hotels this was not required under the Act, suggesting the limited reach of the legislation as well as a willingness by licensees of hotels to implement smoke-free dining beyond what is required by the legislation. (author abstract)

Population-based health monitoring via computer-assisted telephone interviews in Bavaria

From June 1999 until May 2000, 2051 computer-assisted telephone interviews concerning health and health related behaviours were assessed in Bavarian households. The aim of the study was the evaluation of the validity and representativity of this data by a comparison of selected variables from the Bavarian Mikrozensus-survey 1999. The distribution patterns of the marital status, the size of the households, the gainful employment, the household-netto-income, the school qualification and of the smoking status correspond well with those of the Mikrozensus 1999. As often found in questionnaire based surveys, a disproportionately high rate of participation of highly educated persons was observed. This led to an effect only in terms of a too small rate of persons with a low household-netto-income. Within the study, two different designs were compared. The commitment of the telephone numbers to a gender for an equal quotation of men and women led to an under-representation of single-households and therefore also of unmarried persons, but it had no effect on the other characteristics. The results of this study show, that the method of computer assisted-telephone interviews is a valid and cheap basis for the establishment of an exhaustive health surveillance system in Germany.

Computerized School Surveys

Over the past few decades, the computer has played an increasingly large role in the collection of survey data. The primary focus of computers in survey research, however, has been in computer- assisted telephone interviewing. The use of computers in the elicitation of responses directly from the respondent has been the focus of increasing efforts in recent years but still remains relatively undeveloped. Although there have been previous attempts at investigating the effects of introducing computerized self-administered surveys among adolescents, no such investigation has been attempted in a school-based survey to our knowledge. The authors examine methods and issues from the Minnesota Student Survey Mode Effects Experiment—an on-line versus paper-and-pencil comparison from a large school survey of adolescents. Some of the issues include comparability with paper-and- pencil versions and data collection issues, such as computer literacy, security, and case management.

Telephone Survey Methodology.

SECTION A: COVERAGE OF THE HOUSEHOLD POPULATION BY TELEPHONES.An Overview of Telephone Coverage (J. Massey). International Comparisons of Telephone Coverage (D. Trewin & G. Lee). Trends in the United States Telephone Coverage Across Time and Subgroups (O. Thornberry & J. Massey). Within--Household Coverage in RDD Surveys (D. Maklan & J. Waksberg). SECTION B: SAMPLING FOR TELEPHONE SURVEYS. Telephone Sampling Methods in the United States (J. Lepkowski). Implementing the Mitofsky--Waksberg Sampling Design with Accelerated Sequential Replacement (G. Burkheimer & J. Levinsohn). Cutoff Rules for Secondary Calling in a Random Digit Dailing Survey (C. Alexander). Minimum Cost Sample Allocation for Mitofsky--Waksberg Random Digit Dialing (R. Mason & F. Immerman).Weighting Adjustments for Random Digit Dialed Surveys (J. Massey & S. Botman).Stratification of Prefix Areas for Sampling Rare Populations (L. Mohadjer). Sampling Variance and Nonresponse Rates in Dual Frame, Mixed Mode Surveys (M. Sirken & R. Casady). SECTION C: NONRESPONSE IN TELEPHONE SURVEYS. An Overview of Nonresponse Issues in Telephone Surveys (R. Groves & L. Lyberg).Nonresponse: The UK Experience (M. Collins, et al.). Nonresponse Issues in Government Telephone Surveys (J. Drew, et al.). Survey Period Length, Unanswered Numbers, and Nonresponse in Telephone Surveys (J. Sebold). Effects of Interviewer Vocal Characteristics on Nonresponse (L. Oksenberg & C. Cannell). SECTION D: DATA QUALITY IN TELEPHONE SURVEYS.Measuring Data Quality (P. Biemer). Data Quality in Telephone and Face to Face Surveys: A Comparative Meta--Analysis (E. de Leeuw & J. van der Zouwen). Effects of Mode of Interview: Experiments in the UK (W. Sykes & M. Collins). A Comparison of Response Effects in Self--Administered and Telephone Surveys (G. Bishop, et al.). The Quality of Income Information in Telephone and Face to Face Surveys (E. Kormendi).Searching for Causes of Interviewer Effects in Telephone Surveys (L. Stokes & M.--Y. Yeh). SECTION E: COMPUTER--ASSISTED TELEPHONE INTERVIEWING. Computer--Assisted Telephone Interviewing: A General Introduction (W. Nicholls). The Design of CATI Systems: A Review of Current Practice (R. Baker & W. Lefes). Call Scheduling with CATI: Current Capabilities and Methods (M. Weeks). Questionnaire Design for CATI: Design Objectives and Methods (C. House & W. Nicholls). The Effects of CATI on Costs and Data Quality: A Comparison of CATI and Paper Methods in Centralized Interviewing (G. Catlin & S. Ingram). SECTION F: ADMINISTRATION OF TELEPHONE SURVEYS. Introduction: Administration of Telephone Surveys (L. Lyberg).Administrative Designs for Centralized Telephone Survey Centers: Implications of the Transition to CATI (S. Berry & D. O'Rourke). Observation of Behavior in Telephone Interviews (C. Cannell & L. Oksenberg). A Comparison of Centralized CATI Facilities for an Agricultural Labor Survey (R. Bass & R. Tortora). Administrative Issues in Mixed Mode Surveys (D. Dillman & J. Tarnai).Bibliography of Telephone Survey Methodology. Index.