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Comparative Study
. 2018 Dec;95(6):837-849.
doi: 10.1007/s11524-018-0237-7.

Self-Reported Interest to Participate in a Health Survey if Different Amounts of Cash or Non-Monetary Incentive Types Were Offered

Guili Zheng  1 , Sona Oksuzyan  2 , Shelly Hsu  3 , Jennifer Cloud  4 , Mirna Ponce Jewell  5 , Nirvi Shah  6 , Lisa V Smith  4   7 , Douglas Frye  4 , Tony Kuo  8   9   10
Affiliations
Comparative Study

Self-Reported Interest to Participate in a Health Survey if Different Amounts of Cash or Non-Monetary Incentive Types Were Offered

Guili Zheng et al. J Urban Health. 2018 Dec.

Abstract

The objective of this study was to assess monetary and non-monetary factors that can influence the decision to participate in a future health survey. A questionnaire was administered to eligible, low-income participants (n = 1502) of the 2012 Los Angeles County Health and Nutrition Examination Survey (LAHANES-II). Multivariable regression analyses were performed to describe factors potentially associated with future intent to participate in similar survey designs. The results of the survey suggest that, overall, female participants had a greater interest in participating under a variety of incentive scenarios. Compared to the 25-34 age group, older participants (35-44, 45-84) reported more interest to participate if $10 cash [prepaid gift/debit card], a coupon for product/travel, or a small item [e.g., granola bar, t-shirt, pen] was offered, whereas younger participants (18-24) reported greater interest for $25 cash or a coupon for product/travel. Non-Whites, when compared to Whites/Non-Hispanics, reported greater interest to participate if any of the incentives was offered. High school graduates, when compared to those with some college education, reported greater interest to participate if $10 cash, a small item, or a lottery ticket was offered. Presence of two or more chronic conditions increased interest while concerns about participation in LAHANES-II was associated with reduced interest to participate in future health-related surveys. The results suggest that both incentives and non-monetary considerations (e.g., personal concerns about participating and individual level characteristics) can influence the decision to participate in health-related surveys and offer insights into strategies that can improve response rates for these assessments that are often used to inform community planning.

Keywords: Health assessment; Health survey; Response rates; Survey incentives.

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Figures

Fig. 1
Fig. 1
Participants’ opinions regarding the receipt of different amounts of cash and various types of non-monetary incentives, Los Angeles County Health and Nutrition Examination Survey-Phase II (LAHANES-II), February–April 2012
See this image and copyright information in PMC

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