Impact of a postcard versus a questionnaire as a first reminder in a postal lifestyle survey.

Abstract

Study Objective-The study aimed to consider the impact of two different types of reminder on response rates and costs in a postal survey. Design-The study was a cross sectional survey. A self-completion lifestyle questionnaire was used. Those who did not respond after the initial mailing were randomly allocated to receive either a postcard or questionnaire as a first reminder. All outstanding nonresponders received a questionnaire as a second reminder. Subjects-A representative sample of 698 adults aged 16-70 was used, drawn from a family health services authority register. Main results-Postcard reminders were as effective as questionnaire reminders in increasing response whether one or two reminders are sent. The costs per response were calculated. Two questionnaires as reminders were found to be 1-7 times more expensive than a postcard plus questionnaire. Including the initial mailing, the cost per response using all questionnaires was 1-3 times the cost when a postcard was used for the first reminder. Conclusions-To increase the response to a postal survey effectively and economically, two reminders should be sent-first a postcard and then a questionnaire. 7 ipidemiol CommunitY Health 1993; 47: 334-335 questionnaire and letter were sent.7 In most studies the only or final reminder is a further copy of the questionnaire. The cost of the various types of reminder do not seem to have been reported in detail.We report findings from a pilot survey carried out in the autumn of 1991 as part of the Trent Health Lifestyle Survey,8 and address the practical issue of what type of reminders should be sent in a postal survey. MethodThe sample for the pilot study was drawn from the family health services authority patient register of a district with a population of 205 000. The register was stratified by gender and age. From each stratum a systematic sample was drawn, with random start and fixed sampling fraction, designed to provide a total sample of 700.The study was carried out using a selfcompleted questionnaire, delivered by post and returned by freepost. After three weeks, first reminders were sent out. The non-respondents were randomly assigned to be sent only a simple postcard reminder or a follow up letter together with another copy of the questionnaire and a freepost envelope. After a further three weeks, all remaining non-respondents were sent a follow up letter plus a copy of the questionnaire and a freepost envelope. The initial mailing was on 1 November, a first reminder was sent of 21 November, and a second reminder on 2 December 1991. December 1992 Throughout the 1 980s and into the 1 990s increasing emphasis in health promotion has been placed on the need for information by which to inform policy and monitor the impact of activity on populations.' Routine information about health related behaviour, knowledge, beliefs, and attitudes is unavailable from existing sources.2 An increasingly popular method of collecting population lifestyle data in Great Britain is a postal survey using a self-com...

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