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APHA Scientific Session and Event Listing

Jonathan D. Klein, MD, MPH¹, Randall K. Thomas, PhD², and Erika J. Sutter, MPH¹. (1) Division of Adolescent Medicine, University of Rochester, 601 Elmwood Ave, Rm 4-6234, Rochester, NY 14642-8690, 585-275-7760, jonathan_klein@urmc.rochester.edu, (2) Harris Interactive, 60 Corporate Woods Blvd., Rochester, NY 14623

Objectives: To assess validity of self-reported cardiovascular disease (CVD) risk factor prevalence estimates from an online panel sample, and to explore variation in estimates from different question formats.

Methods: Demographically weighted estimates of self-reported prevalence of hypertension, high cholesterol, heart disease, heart attack, and stroke were obtained from 3,832 respondents in a 2005 Harris Poll Online (HPOL) panel sample. Respondents were randomized to either yes/no grids or multiple response formats. Prevalence was compared to national surveillance data from the 2003 Behavioral Risk Factor Surveillance System (BRFSS), 2004 National Health Interview Survey (NHIS), and 2001-02 National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey (NHANES).

Results: 28.7% of yes/no and 26.9% of multiple response respondents reported having high cholesterol, compared to a weighted BRFSS estimate of 33.1%; 4.1% yes/no and 2.4% multiple response reported having coronary heart disease, compared to 6.4% from weighted NHIS estimates; 2.3% yes/no and 2.3% multiple response reported having had a stroke, compared to 2.6% of NHIS respondents; 28.8% yes/no and 31.3% multiple response reported having hypertension, compared to 22.0% of NHIS respondents; 2.8% yes/no and 2.9% multiple response reported having had a heart attack, compared to 2.5% of NHANES respondents.

Conclusions: Estimates of CVD risk factors from the HPOL online panel are comparable to those obtained from national household interviews and telephone surveys. Online response format choices result in variation in estimated CVD risk factor prevalence; the direction of this effect varies for specific items. Online surveys may be useful for U.S. public health surveillance.

Learning Objectives:

• Recognize that online surveys may be a useful national public health surveillance method.
• Understand that item response formats can result in variation in reported prevalence.

Presenting author's disclosure statement:

Any relevant financial relationships? No