Random Digit Dial Telephone Survey Research Articles

Abstract A093: Assessing cigarette smoking intensity among California adults and the need for tailored interventions to reduce health disparities

Abstract Background: Smoking causes about 20% of all cancers and about 30% of all cancer deaths in the U.S (ACS, 2024). Smoking increases the risk for cancers of the mouth, larynx, pharynx, esophagus, kidney, cervix, breast, liver, bladder, pancreas, stomach, colon, and acute myeloid leukemia and there is no safe form of tobacco smoke (CDC, 2023; ACS, 2024). This study aims to inform public health strategies that can mitigate smoking related disparities and improve health outcomes for marginalized populations. Methods: This study assessed the prevalence of cigarette smoking by demographic characteristics among California adults. We used secondary data from the 2019 California Health Interview Survey (CHIS) that was collected through a random-digit dial telephone survey. Adults ages 18+ were interviewed. We utilized secondary data comprised of 22,160 participants. We conducted interactions between gender and race/ethnicity, and one's smoking status. Multinomial logistic regression test was conducted to predict the probability of participants' level. This study was approved by the researchers Institutional Review Board. Results: Majority or participants were non-smokers (93.1%), mostly females (51.2%,). Many had a bachelor’s degree (23.9%) or some college, vocational training, or an associate degree (22.8%). Many participants (59.8%) were married/living with a partner, and (25.7%) were single. Most participants spoke English (55.4%) and the largest race/ethnic groups were White (40.2%) followed by Latinos (21.8%). Age distribution was as follows: 18–29 (22.9%), 30–39 (17.6%), and 40–49-year-olds (16.2%). For low-intensity smokers , in terms of race/ethnicity, Latino participants were less likely to be low-intensity smokers relative to non-smokers in comparison to White participants (RRR = .411, p = .043). For moderate-intensity smokers , education was statistically significant, with participants holding a graduate degree being significantly less likely to be moderate-intensity smokers relative to non-smokers in comparison to participants who had a HS degree (RRR = .068, p = .025). For high-intensity smokers , single participants were more likely to be high-intensity smokers compared to those married or living with a partner (RRR = 2.72, p = .011). In terms of age, only participants that were 30 to 39 years old were statistically significant, with this group more likely to be high-intensity smokers relative to non-smokers in comparison to participants who were 20 to 29 years of age (RRR = 3.40, p = .031). Conclusion: Findings suggest that one’s demographics characteristics does play a role in smoking consumption rates. Addressing disparities in smoking and cancer requires a multifaceted approach that includes policy changes, targeted interventions, and improved access to healthcare and smoking cessation resources. Hence, public health efforts should create evidence-based interventions and consider the social, economic, and cultural contexts of target populations to reduce disparities in smoking and cancer. Citation Format: Salome Kapella Mshigeni, Anhthu Nguyen, Julian C Sacdalan, Elizabeth Pinder-McSwain, Felipe Aperador Tarazona. Assessing cigarette smoking intensity among California adults and the need for tailored interventions to reduce health disparities [abstract]. In: Proceedings of the 17th AACR Conference on the Science of Cancer Health Disparities in Racial/Ethnic Minorities and the Medically Underserved; 2024 Sep 21-24; Los Angeles, CA. Philadelphia (PA): AACR; Cancer Epidemiol Biomarkers Prev 2024;33(9 Suppl):Abstract nr A093.

Refinement of a Preliminary Case Definition for Use in Traumatic Brain Injury Surveillance.

Current methods used to measure incidence of traumatic brain injury (TBI) underestimate its true public health burden. The use of self-report surveys may be an approach to improve these estimates. An important step in public health surveillance is to define a public health problem using a case definition. The purpose of this article is to outline the process that the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention undertook to refine a TBI case definition to be used in surveillance using a self-report survey. Survey. A total of 10 030 adults participated via a random digit-dial telephone survey from September 2018 to September 2019. Respondents were asked whether they had sustained a hit to the head in the preceding 12 months and whether they experienced a series of 12 signs and symptoms as a result of this injury. Head injuries with 1 or more signs/symptoms reported were initially categorized into a 3-tiered TBI case definition (probable TBI, possible TBI, and delayed possible TBI), corresponding to the level of certainty that a TBI occurred. Placement in a tier was compared with a range of severity measures (whether medical evaluation was sought, time to symptom resolution, self-rated social and work functioning); case definition tiers were then modified in a stepwise fashion to maximize differences in severity between tiers. There were statistically significant differences in the severity measure between cases in the probable and possible TBI tiers but not between other tiers. Timing of symptom onset did not meaningfully differentiate between cases on severity measures; therefore, the delayed possible tier was eliminated, resulting in 2 tiers: probable and possible TBI. The 2-tiered TBI case definition that was derived from this analysis can be used in future surveillance efforts to differentiate cases by certainty and from noncases for the purpose of reporting TBI prevalence and incidence estimates. The refined case definition can help researchers increase the confidence they have in reporting survey respondents' self-reported TBIs as well as provide them with the flexibility to report an expansive (probable + possible TBI) or more conservative (probable TBI only) estimate of TBI prevalence.

Sociodemographic Variations in Women’s Reports of Discussions With Clinicians About Breast Density

Breast density notifications advise women to discuss breast density with their clinicians, yet little is known about such discussions. To examine the content of women's reports of breast density discussions with clinicians and identify variations by women's sociodemographic characteristics (age, income, state legislation status, race and ethnicity, and literacy level). This US nationwide, population-based, random-digit dial telephone survey study was conducted from July 1, 2019, to April 30, 2020, among 2306 women aged 40 to 76 years with no history of breast cancer who underwent mammography in the prior 2 years and had heard the term dense breasts or breast density. Results were analyzed from a subsample of 770 women reporting a conversation about breast density with their clinician after their last mammographic screening. Statistical analysis was conducted in April and July 2023. Survey questions inquired whether women's clinicians had asked about breast cancer risk or their worries or concerns about breast density, had discussed mammography results or other options for breast cancer screening or their future risk of breast cancer, as well as the extent to which the clinician answered questions about breast density. Of the 770 women (358 [47%] aged 50-64 years; 47 Asian [6%], 125 Hispanic [16%], 204 non-Hispanic Black [27%], 317 non-Hispanic White [41%], and 77 other race and ethnicity [10%]) whose results were analyzed, most reported that their clinicians asked questions about breast cancer risk (88% [670 of 766]), discussed mammography results (94% [724 of 768]), and answered patient questions about breast density (81% [614 of 761]); fewer women reported that clinicians had asked about worries or concerns about breast density (69% [524 of 764]), future risk of breast cancer (64% [489 of 764]), or other options for breast cancer screening (61% [459 of 756]). Women's reports of conversations varied significantly by race and ethnicity; non-Hispanic Black women reported being asked questions about breast cancer risk more often than non-Hispanic White women (odds ratio [OR], 2.08 [95% CI, 1.05-4.10]; P = .04). Asian women less often reported being asked about their worries or concerns (OR, 0.42 [95% CI, 0.20-0.86]; P = .02), and Hispanic and Asian women less often reported having their questions about breast density answered completely or mostly (Asian: OR, 0.28 [95% CI, 0.13-0.62]; P = .002; Hispanic: OR, 0.48 [95% CI, 0.27-0.87]; P = .02). Women with low literacy were less likely than women with high literacy to report being asked about worries or concerns about breast density (OR, 0.64 [95% CI, 0.43-0.96]; P = .03), that mammography results were discussed with them (OR, 0.32 [95% CI, 0.16-0.63]; P = .001), or that their questions about breast density were answered completely or mostly (OR, 0.51 [95% CI, 0.32-0.81]; P = .004). In this survey study, although most women reported that their clinicians counselled them about breast density, the unaddressed worries or concerns and unanswered questions, especially among Hispanic and Asian women and those with low literacy, highlighted areas where discussions could be improved.

EXPLORING COMMUNICATION DISPARITIES IN LATE OLD AGE THROUGH THE LENS OF COMMUNICATION INFRASTRUCTURE THEORY

Abstract Health disparities are driven, in part, by communication disparities. Those who face the greatest health burdens often have the least communication resources to draw on to help them to manage and cope. As part of a multi-year, multi-level community engaged study to understand how to reduce the communication disjuncture between community-based service providers and older adults age 75 and older, we draw on data collected from 1,609 older adults through in-depth interviews (n=20) and a random sample survey (n=989) in one county in Michigan, along with a random digit dial telephone survey (n=600) conducted statewide. Findings point to key channels for disseminating information to hard-to-reach older adults being healthcare professionals and home delivered mail. Despite optimistic reports that technology usage and adoption rates are increasing for older users, findings suggest that old adults continue to face digital exclusion. Challenges with connecting through interpersonal networks are discussed. Limited resources for connecting with others through technology combined with increased social distancing due to the pandemic may exacerbate older adults’ diminishing social networks and dwindling communication resources to draw upon for managing their health in later old age. Understanding how to connect with the hard-to-reach is pressing particularly as connecting via tele-health normalizes. This information may be employed to inform strategies for disseminating information to older adults, including those ages 75 and older who are hardest-to-reach, and likewise, outreach and recruitment by researchers to engage them in studies that aim to reduce health disparities.

COMMUNITY PERSPECTIVES ON COMMUNICATION DISPARITIES IN LATE OLD AGE AND TACTICS TO CONNECT WITH THE HARDLY REACHED

Abstract Individuals who face the greatest health burdens often have the fewest communication resources to draw from to help them cope. Communication infrastructure theory provides a framework for understanding how communication resources and context constrain and enable connections to health enhancing information. Data collected from 1,609 older adults through in-depth interviews and a random sample survey in one midwestern county in Michigan as part of a multi-year, multi-level community engaged study and a statewide random digit dial telephone survey showed that age influenced integration in a communicative structure. Findings suggest that the dynamics of living into late old age result in communication disparities through diminishing interpersonal resources, activity, and opportunities to congregate. Actionable knowledge and strategies provided to community leaders on how to connect with the hardly reached, individuals age of 75 and older, are presented.

Estimating Web Survey Mode and Panel Effects in a Nationwide Survey of Alcohol Use.

Random-digit dialing (RDD) telephone surveys are challenged by declining response rates and increasing costs. Many surveys that were traditionally conducted via telephone are seeking cost-effective alternatives, such as address-based sampling (ABS) with self-administered web or mail questionnaires. At a fraction of the cost of both telephone and ABS surveys, opt-in web panels are an attractive alternative. The 2019-2020 National Alcohol Survey (NAS) employed three methods: (1) an RDD telephone survey (traditional NAS method); (2) an ABS push-to-web survey; and (3) an opt-in web panel. The study reported here evaluated differences in the three data-collection methods, which we will refer to as "mode effects," on alcohol consumption and health topics. To evaluate mode effects, multivariate regression models were developed predicting these characteristics, and the presence of a mode effect on each outcome was determined by the significance of the three-level effect (RDD-telephone, ABS-web, opt-in web panel) in each model. Those results were then used to adjust for mode effects and produce a "telephone-equivalent" estimate for the ABS and panel data sources. The study found that ABS-web and RDD were similar for most estimates but exhibited differences for sensitive questions including getting drunk and experiencing depression. The opt-in web panel exhibited more differences between it and the other two survey modes. One notable example is the reporting of drinking alcohol at least 3-4 times per week, which was 21 percent for RDD-phone, 24 percent for ABS-web, and 34 percent for opt-in web panel. The regression model adjusts for mode effects, improving comparability with past surveys conducted by telephone; however, the models result in higher variance of the estimates. This method of adjusting for mode effects has broad applications to mode and sample transitions throughout the survey research industry.

Differences in public and producer attitudes toward animal welfare in the red meat industries.

Societal concerns dictate the need for animal welfare standards and legislation. The public and livestock producers often differ on their views of livestock welfare, and failure to meet public expectations may threaten the “social license to operate” increasing the cost of production and hampering the success of the industry. This study examined public and producer attitudes toward common practices and animal welfare issues in the Australian red meat industry, knowledge of these practices, and public and producer trust in people working the red meat industry using an Australia-wide survey of both the general public (n = 501) and red meat producers (n = 200). Public participants were recruited using a random digit dialing telephone survey (Computer-Assisted Telephone Interviewing) while the red meat producers were randomly selected within a curated database of Australian red meat producers. After controlling for gender and age, there were marked differences (p < 0.01) between public and producer respondents in 20 of the 27 attitude, trust and knowledge variables studied. Producers reported more positive beliefs in the conditions provided for sheep and beef cattle during sea and land transport, the husbandry practices used in the red meat industry, and red meat attributes regarding human health, environmental impact, animal use and animal welfare. Both public and producers reported similar levels of trust in conventional and commercial media and had similar beliefs about animal rights, prevention of animal cruelty and balancing the welfare of people and animals. The results indicate a polarization between the public and livestock producers in their attitudes toward animal welfare, knowledge of husbandry practices and trust in livestock people.

Lack of Maternal Social Capital Increases the Likelihood of Harsh Parenting.

Does low maternal social capital increase the likelihood of parents using harsh parenting behaviors? We analyzed random digit dial telephone survey data from 661 female primary caregivers across Colorado. Positive reports of the use of either physically or psychologically harsh parenting methods were classified as harsh parenting. Absence of social capital was assessed within the family and the community; lack of social capital within the family was measured in terms of an absence of support from a partner and an additional caregiver. Absence of social capital within the community was measured as lack of interpersonal resources from neighbors and religious activities. Nearly 30% admitted to one or more physically harsh parenting behaviors in the prior year, and 85.8% reported at least one psychologically harsh parenting behavior. Lower levels of neighborhood connectedness were associated with physically harsh parenting (odds ratio = 1.50). Conflict between partners (odd ratio = 2.50) and the absence of an additional caregiver (odds ratio = 1.88) increased psychologically harsh parenting. One practical implication is that mental health and medical providers should help new parents value, access, or develop social networks within the community to prevent children from experiencing harsh parenting.

Are any samples representative or unbiased? reply to Pickering and Blaszczynski

ABSTRACT Pickering and Blaszczynski’s paper (2021) claims that the problem gambling rate is inflated in paid online convenience and crowdsourced samples. However, there is a methodological flaw in their findings: they combined problem gambling rates from samples that are specific by design (e.g. at-least monthly sports bettors), and compared them to a problem gambling prevalence estimate from the general population. Pickering and Blaszczynski conflate three constructs: representativeness, bias and data quality. Data quality can be optimized through protections and checks, but these do not necessarily make samples more representative, or less biased. Many of the biases present in paid online convenience samples (e.g. self-selection biases) also apply to the gold standard of random digit dial telephone surveys, which is manifestly evident in very low response rates. These biases are also present in industry-recruited and venue-recruited samples, as well as samples of university students and treatment-seeking clients. Paid online convenience samples also have clear benefits. For example, it is possible to obtain large samples of very specific subgroups. Online surveys may reduce bias associated with self-reporting potentially stigmatizing conditions, like problem gambling. It is important not to discount research simply because it uses a paid online convenience or crowdsourced sample.

The Use of Multimode Data Collection in Random Digit Dialing Cell Phone Surveys for Young Adults: Feasibility Study.

BackgroundYoung adults’ early adoption of new cell phone technologies have created challenges to survey recruitment but offer opportunities to combine random digit dialing (RDD) sampling with web mode data collection. The National Young Adult Health Survey was designed to test the feasibility of this methodology.ObjectiveIn this study, we compared response rates across the telephone mode and web mode, assessed sample representativeness, examined design effects (DEFFs), and compared cigarette smoking prevalence to a gold standard national survey.MethodsWe conducted a survey experiment where the sampling frame was randomized to single-mode telephone interviews, telephone-to-web sequential mixed mode, and single-mode web survey. A total of 831 respondents aged 18 to 34 years were recruited via RDD at baseline. A soft launch was conducted prior to main launch. We compared the web mode to the telephone modes (ie, single-mode and mixed mode) at wave 1 based on the American Association for Public Opinion Research response rate 3 for screening and extended surveys. Base-weighted demographic distributions were compared to the American Community Survey. The sample was calibrated to the US Census Bureau's American Community Survey to calculate DEFFs and to compare cigarette smoking prevalence to the National Health Interview Survey. Prevalence estimates are estimated with sampling weights and are presented with unweighted sample sizes. Consistency of estimates was judged by 95% CI.ResultsThe American Association for Public Opinion Research response rate 3 was higher in the telephone mode than in the web mode (24% and 30% vs 6.1% and 12.5%, for soft launch and main launch, respectively), which was reflected in response rate 3 for screening and extended surveys. During the soft launch, the extended survey and eligibility rate were low for respondents pushed to the web mode. To boost productivity and survey completes for the web condition, the main launch used cell phone numbers from the sampling frame where the sample vendor matched the number to auxiliary data, which suggested that the number likely belonged to an adult in the target age range. This increased the eligibility rate, but the screener response rate was lower. Compared to population distribution from the US Census Bureau, the telephone mode overrepresented men (57.1% [unweighted n=412] vs 50.9%) and those enrolled in college (40.3% [unweighted n=269] vs 23.8%); it also underrepresented those with a Bachelor of Arts or Science (34.4% [unweighted n=239] vs 55%). The web mode overrepresented White, non-Latinos (70.7% [unweighted n=90] vs 54.4%) and those with some college education (30.4% [unweighted n=40] vs 7.6%); it also underrepresented Latinos (13.6% [unweighted n=20] vs 20.7%) and those with a high school or General Education Development diploma (15.3% [unweighted n=20] vs 29.3%). The DEFF measure was 1.28 (subpopulation range 0.96-1.93). The National Young Adult Health Survey cigarette smoking prevalence was consistent with the National Health Interview Survey overall (15%, CI 12.4%-18% [unweighted 149/831] vs 13.5%, CI 12.3%-14.7% [unweighted 823/5552]), with notable deviation among 18- to 24-year-olds (15.6%, CI 11.3%-22.2% [unweighted 51/337] vs 8.7%, CI 7.1%-10.6% [unweighted 167/1647]), and those with education levels lower than Bachelor of Arts or Science (24%, CI 19.3%-29.4% [unweighted 123/524] vs 17.1%, CI 15.6%-18.7% [unweighted 690/3493]).ConclusionsRDD sampling for a web survey is not feasible for young adults due to its low response rate. However, combining this methodology with RDD telephone surveys may have a great potential for including media and collecting autophotographic data in population surveys.

Trends of depression and anxiety during massive civil unrest and COVID-19 in Hong Kong, 2019–2020

Both COVID-19 and unrest are posing a significant threat to population mental health across the globe. This study examined trends of probable depression and anxiety during a time of civil unrest and concurrent COVID-19 in Hong Kong. Four random digit dialing telephone surveys were conducted in July 2019 (n = 1112), February–March 2020 (n = 2003), April–May 2020 (n = 2008), and July–August 2020 (n = 2034). The prevalence of probable depression increased from 25.7% (95% CI: 23.2–28.3) in July 2019 to 28.2% (95% CI: 26.2–30.1) in February–March 2020, and then decreased to 15.3% (95% CI: 14.0–17.0) in April–May 2020 and 13.7% (95% CI: 12.2–15.2) in July–August 2020. The prevalence of probable anxiety was 19.2% (95% CI: 17.5–20.9) in February–March 2020 and then stabilized in April–May 2020 and July–August 2020 (14.1%, 95% CI: 12.0–15.8). Probable depression and anxiety were more prevalent among persons with high relative to low daily routine disruptions. Combined high unrest-COVID-19 stress was associated with probable depression and anxiety across all persons; high unrest stress alone was associated with probable mental disorders at high daily routine disruptions. Civil unrest and COVID-19 are jointly associated with depression and anxiety among Hong Kong citizens. While population mental health improved, daily routine disruptions is a risk factor of mental disorders at every time-point.

COVID-19–Related Insurance Coverage Changes and Disparities in Access to Care Among Low-Income US Adults in 4 Southern States

It is unclear how the COVID-19 pandemic and its associated economic downturn have affected insurance coverage and disparities in access to health care among low-income families and people of color in states that have and have not expanded Medicaid. To determine changes in insurance coverage and disparities in access to health care among low-income families and people of color across 4 Southern states and by Medicaid expansion status. This random-digit dialing telephone survey study of US citizens ages 19 to 64 years with a family income less than 138% of the federal poverty line in in 4 states (Arkansas, Kentucky, Louisiana, and Texas) was conducted from October to December 2020. Using a difference-in-differences design, we estimated changes in outcomes by Medicaid expansion status overall and by race and ethnicity in 2020 (n = 1804) compared with 2018 to 2019 (n = 5710). We also explored barriers to health care and use of telehealth by race and ethnicity. Data analysis was conducted from January 2021 to March 2021. COVID-19 pandemic and prior Medicaid expansion status. Primary outcome was the uninsured rate and secondary outcomes were financial and nonfinancial barriers to health care access. Of 7514 respondents (11% response rate; 3889 White non-Latinx [51.8%], 1881 Black non-Latinx [25.0%], and 1156 Latinx individuals [15.4%]; 4161 women [55.4%]), 5815 (77.4%) were in the states with previous expansion and 1699 (22.6%) were in Texas (nonexpansion state). Respondents in the expansion states were older, more likely White, and less likely to have attended college compared with respondents in Texas. Uninsurance rate in 2020 rose by 7.4 percentage points in Texas (95% CI, 2.2-12.6; P = .01) and 2.5 percentage points in expansion states (95% CI, -1.9 to 7.0; P = .27), with a difference-in-differences estimate for Medicaid expansion of -4.9% (95% CI, -11.3 to 1.6; P = .14). Among Black and Latinx individuals, Medicaid expansion was associated with protection against a rise in the uninsured rate (difference-in-differences, -9.5%; 95% CI, -19.0 to -0.1; P = .048). Measures of access, including having a personal physician and regular care for chronic conditions, worsened significantly in 2020 in all 4 states, with no significant difference by Medicaid expansion status. In this survey of US adults, uninsured rates increased among low-income adults in 4 Southern states during the COVID-19 pandemic, but Medicaid expansion states, that association was diminished among Black and Latinx individuals. Nonfinancial barriers to care because of the pandemic were common in all states.

The role of sex and rurality in cancer fatalistic beliefs and cancer screening utilization in Florida.

BackgroundPeople's fatalistic beliefs about cancer can influence their cancer prevention behaviors. We examined the association between fatalistic beliefs and breast and colorectal cancer screening among residents of north‐central Florida and tested whether there exists any sex or rural–non‐rural disparities in the association.MethodsWe conducted a cross‐sectional, random digit dialing telephone survey of 895 adults residing in north‐central Florida in 2017. Using weighted logistic models, we examined the association between (1) respondents’ sociodemographic characteristics and cancer fatalistic beliefs and (2) cancer fatalistic beliefs and cancer screening utilization among screening eligible populations. We tested a series of sex and rurality by fatalistic belief interactions.ResultsControlling for sociodemographics, we found the agreement with “It seems like everything causes cancer” was associated with a higher likelihood of having a mammogram (odds ratio [OR]: 3.34; 95% confidence interval [CI]: 1.17–9.51), while the agreement with “Cancer is most often caused by a person's behavior or lifestyle” was associated with a higher likelihood of having a blood stool test (OR: 1.85; 95% CI: 1.12–3.05) or a sigmoidoscopy or colonoscopy among women (OR: 2.65; 95% CI: 1.09–6.44). We did not observe any rural–non‐rural disparity in the association between fatalistic beliefs and cancer screening utilization.ConclusionsSome, but not all, cancer fatalistic beliefs are associated with getting breast and colorectal cancer screening in north‐central Florida. Our study highlights the need for more research to better understand the social and cultural factors associated with cancer screening utilization.

The Ohio COVID-19 Survey: Preliminary Findings and Their Use During the Pandemic

Background: The coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) pandemic has created exceptional health and economic uncertainty for Ohioans in 2020. In the spring of 2020, the state commissioned the Ohio COVID-19 Survey (OCS) to ask residential Ohio adults about how the pandemic was affecting them. The purpose of this research is to provide state leadership with real-time information about the effects of the pandemic and concurrent recession on Ohio households.Methods: The OCS is a special supplement to the Ohio Medicaid Assessment Survey (OMAS), a stratified random digit dial, cell phone and landline telephone survey. This study includes data collected weekly between April 20, 2020, and August 24, 2020. We conducted descriptive time-series analysis of the survey data and provided updates to the state's COVID-19 Response Team throughout the survey period.Results: Preliminary findings from the OCS reflect 3 themes among respondents: 1) elevated levels of concern over health and household economics; 2) disproportionate effects that exacerbate existing inequities; and 3) majority adjustment to "new normal" and acceptance of public health guidelines .Conclusion: Preliminary findings indicate that groups that were struggling before the pandemic have faced the biggest challenges with regard to health and household economics since it began. Data from the OCS enabled us to provide real-time analysis to state leadership regarding Ohioans' experience during the first 6 months of the COVID-19 pandemic. Further analysis and integration of additional data will allow us to provide deeper insights as Ohio seeks to move into recovery.

Telephone Survey Versus Panel Survey Samples Assessing Knowledge, Attitudes and Behavior Regarding Animal Welfare in the Red Meat Industry in Australia.

Surveys are used extensively in social research and, despite a lack of conclusive evidence of their ‘representativeness,’ probability internet panel (PIP) surveys are being increasingly used to make inferences about knowledge, attitude and behavior in the general population regarding a range of socially relevant issues. A large-scale survey of Australian public attitudes and behavior toward the red meat industry was undertaken. Samples were obtained using a random digit dialing telephone survey (Computer-Assisted Telephone Interviewing-CATI, n = 502 respondents) and a PIP survey (PANEL, n = 530 respondents) to examine differences between the two samples regarding attitudes and behavior relating to livestock use and welfare. There was little difference in demographics between the CATI and the PANEL surveys apart from highest level of education. However, there were differences between the two samples in both attitudes and behavior toward the red meat industry after controlling for education levels. The PANEL respondents gave generally more conservative responses than did the CATI respondents in the sense that they were more positive toward the livestock industries and animal welfare within these industries. Differences were also found between the respondents of the two samples regarding behavior that relates to the red meat industry, both community and consumer behavior. PANEL respondents were less engaged in community behaviors performed in opposition of the red meat industry when compared with the CATI sample. The majority of CATI and PANEL respondents were red meat eaters and there was no difference between respondents of the two samples in relation to red meat consumption, however, there were fewer vegetarians and vegans in the PANEL survey. Possible reasons for the observed differences are discussed, however, a definitive answer will depend on further research to identify the specific psychological factors that differ between samples derived from different survey methodologies.

Standardized calibration adjustment index (SCAI): A new measure of survey data quality

In this article, we introduce a new indicator of survey data quality called the standardized calibration adjustment index (SCAI). The SCAI quantifies the difference in the distributions of variables used in the calibration of survey respondents to the target population, accounting for the study design. It does so by a function of the change in respondent-level weights developed to calibrate the survey data to known population totals. A key feature of the SCAI is that it does not require auxiliary information to exist on the sampling frame. The SCAI can be used as a survey data quality metric in both probability and nonprobability sample settings, which we show through example applications with an outbound dual-frame random digit dialing telephone survey, an address-based sample survey, and a redirected inbound call sampling survey.

Is infertility resolution associated with a change in women's well-being?

Is giving birth associated with improved subjective well-being among involuntarily childless women? Resolution of infertility is associated with increased life satisfaction and self-esteem, but not with a decrease in depressive symptoms. Cross-sectional data and studies of treatment-seekers show that infertility is associated with lower subjective well-being. Childless women with infertility tend to report lower subjective well-being than women who experience secondary infertility, but a prospective study using a random sample of involuntarily childless women over time has not previously been conducted. The sample for the current study includes all women without children who met medical criteria for infertility or perceived a fertility problem (N = 283) at baseline and who were interviewed in both waves (3years apart) of the National Survey of Fertility Barriers (NSFB), in a random-digit dialing telephone survey. It is therefore possible to explore here whether there are differences in the association of infertility resolution and subjective well-being among women who do and do not perceive themselves as having a fertility problem. Depressive symptoms (as measured by the Center for Epidemiologic Studies-Depression Scale), self-esteem (as measured by a modified version of the Rosenberg Self-esteem Scale) and life satisfaction (as measured by a modified version of the Satisfaction with Life Scale) were assessed for all 283 participants at both waves. For all three variables, change scores of 47 involuntarily childless women who resolved their infertility through a live birth were compared to the scores for the 236 women who remained childless. A number of variables shown to be associated with subjective well-being among infertile women were included as controls. No relationship between infertility resolution and change in depressive symptoms was observed (b = -0.04; P > 0.05). Involuntarily childless women who resolved their infertility improved in self-esteem (b = 0.74; P < 0.01) and life satisfaction (b = 1.06; P < 0.01). Women were measured at only two time points. Only 47 women had a live birth between waves. While it is common practice to make causal interpretations based on panel data, such interpretations should be made with caution. In addition, the NSFB was conducted in the USA where medical expenditures are high and most fertility treatment expenses are not covered by insurance. Thus it may not be possible to generalize the findings to other modern industrialized societies. Knowing that resolution of infertility is associated with improved subjective well-being is important for infertile couples and infertility professionals alike. This research was supported in part by NICHD grant R01-HD044144 and NIGMS grant P20-GM109097 from the National Institutes of Health. The authors have no competing interests.

How Well Do Interviewers Record Responses to Numeric, Interviewer Field-code, and Open-ended Narrative Questions in Telephone Surveys?

Telephone survey interviewers need to be able to accurately record answers to questions. While straightforward for closed questions, this task can be complicated for open questions. We examine interviewer recording accuracy rates from a national landline random digit dial telephone survey. We find that accuracy rates are over 90% for numeric response and interviewer-code, single-response items but are astonishingly low (49%) for a multiple-answer, nominal, interviewer-code item. Accuracy rates for narrative open questions were around 90% for themes but only about 70% for themes and elaborations. Interviewer behaviors (e.g., probing, feedback) are generally associated with lower accuracy rates. Implications for questionnaire design, interviewer training, and coding procedures are discussed.

NATIONAL ELDER MISTREATMENT STUDY WAVE II: MENTAL HEALTH CORRELATES OF FINANCIAL MISTREATMENT

Objective: Whereas prevalence of elder financial mistreatment has received increased attention over the past decade, health and mental health correlates are rarely studied. Thus, the potential relevance of financial abuse to mental health and perceived health is relatively unknown, and the objective of this article is to illustrate this relationship. Method: The second wave of the National Elder Mistreatment Study used random digit dialing telephone survey methodology to assess both recent financial mistreatment and its potential mental health correlates (i.e., diagnoses of depression, post-traumatic stress disorder [PTSD], generalized anxiety disorder [GAD], and self-ratings of physical health) in 774 older adults. Results: The study indicated that past-year Wave II financial mistreatment was associated with significantly increased likelihood of depression, PTSD, GAD, and poor self-rated health; and financial mistreatment perpetrated by family members was associated with particularly increased risk of depression. Discussion: Assessment of mental health is relevant and important in cases of financial abuse.

Changing patterns in E-cigarette use among Minnesota adults between 2014 and 2018.

Minnesota has observed declining combustible tobacco use and a large increase in e-cigarette use among youth and young adults. Less is known about adult e-cigarette users' frequency of use, smoking status, use of flavors, and demographic differences. The Minnesota Adult Tobacco Survey (MATS) is a cross-sectional, random digit-dial telephone survey representative of Minnesotans aged 18 and over. MATS measured e-cigarette use in 2014 (N = 9304) and 2018 (N = 6065). In 2018, 6.0% of adult Minnesotans used an e-cigarette in the past 30 days; this was unchanged from 2014 (5.9%). While past 30-day e-cigarette use declined for current smokers (2014: 27.3%; 2018: 16.1% p < 0.001), it increased for never smokers (2014: 1.2%; 2018: 4.4% p < 0.001) and 18-24-year-olds (2014: 12.8%; 2018: 21.9% p = 0.001). Daily e-cigarette use increased from 2014 to 2018 for current smokers (p = 0.001), 25-44-year-olds (p < 0.001), females (p = 0.001), and those with a high-school education (p = 0.006). Among e-cigarette users in 2018, use of flavored e-cigarettes was associated with smoking status (p = 0.041), age (p < 0.001), and using e-cigarettes to quit smoking (p = 0.011). E-cigarettes appeal primarily to younger adults. Of concern are increases in never smokers initiating e-cigarette use, increasing their exposure to nicotine, addiction, and the risk of future combustible tobacco use. Simultaneously, fewer smokers are using e-cigarettes but those who do are using them more frequently. Use of flavored e-cigarettes was common and correlated with interest in quitting combustible cigarettes. These findings can inform recent calls for additional tobacco control policy and programs aimed at reducing e-cigarette use.