Random digit dialing and directory-based samples in telephone surveys of HIV risk: a comparison from the Australian Study of Health and Relationships

Anthony M A Smith; Richard O de Visser; Chris E Rissel

doi:10.1016/j.annepidem.2004.06.003

Random digit dialing and directory-based samples in telephone surveys of HIV risk: a comparison from the Australian Study of Health and Relationships

Ann Epidemiol. 2005 Mar;15(3):232-5. doi: 10.1016/j.annepidem.2004.06.003.

Authors

Anthony M A Smith¹, Richard O de Visser, Chris E Rissel

Affiliation

¹ Australian Research Centre in Sex, Health and Society, La Trobe University, Melbourne, Australia. anthony.smith@latrobe.edu.au

PMID: 15723770
DOI: 10.1016/j.annepidem.2004.06.003

Abstract

Purpose: To compare the estimates of HIV-related risk derived from a sample drawn through random digit dialing and that component of the sample drawn from households listed in a telephone directory.

Methods: The prevalence of key outcomes, and their 95% confidence intervals, was estimated for the total sample and for that component of the sample drawn from households listed in a telephone directory.

Results: On all outcome measures the sample derived from listed households was more conservative. With few exceptions, the estimates derived from the overall sample and from listed households were not significantly different.

Conclusion: A continued reliance on random digit dialing seems unwarranted.

Publication types

Comparative Study

MeSH terms

Adolescent
Adult
Australia / epidemiology
Data Collection / methods*
Data Interpretation, Statistical
Directories as Topic
Family Characteristics
HIV Infections / epidemiology
HIV Infections / etiology*
Health Surveys*
Humans
Middle Aged
Prevalence
Risk Assessment / methods*
Risk Factors
Sampling Studies
Sexual Behavior / statistics & numerical data
Telephone