TY - JOUR
T1 - Collecting Valid and Reliable Data
T2 - Fieldwork Monitoring Strategies in a Health Examination Survey
AU - Kislaya, Irina
AU - Santos, Ana João
AU - Lyshol, Heidi
AU - Antunes, Liliana
AU - Barreto, Marta
AU - Gaio, Vânia
AU - Gil, Ana Paula
AU - Namorado, Sónia
AU - Dias, Carlos Matias
AU - Tolonen, Hanna
AU - Nunes, Baltazar
N1 - UIDB/04647/2020
UIDP/04647/2020
PY - 2020
Y1 - 2020
N2 - Health surveys constitute a relevant information source to access the population's health status. Given that survey errors can significantly influence estimates and invalidate study findings, it is crucial that the fieldwork progress is closely monitored to ensure data quality. The objective of this study was to describe the fieldwork monitoring conducted during the first Portuguese National Health Examination Survey (INSEF) regarding protocol deviations and key performance indicators (KPI). Methods: Data derived from interviewer observation and from the statistical quality control of selected KPI were used to monitor the four components of the INSEF survey (recruitment, physical examination, blood collection and health questionnaire). Survey KPI included response rate, average time distribution for procedures, distribution of the last digit in a specific measure, proportion of haemolysed blood samples and missing values. Results: Interviewer observation identified deviations from the established protocols, which were promptly corrected. During fieldwork monitoring through KPI, upon implementation of corrective measures, the participation rate increased 2.5-fold, and a 4.4-fold decrease in non-adherence to standardized survey procedures was observed in the average time distribution for blood pressure measurement. The proportion of measurements with the terminal digit of 0 or 5 decreased to 19.6 and 16.5%, respectively, after the pilot study. The proportion of haemolysed samples was at baseline level, below 2.5%. Missing data issues were minimized by promptly communicating them to the interviewer, who could recontact the participant and fill in the missing information. Discussion/Conclusion: Although the majority of the deviations from the established protocol occurred during the first weeks of the fieldwork, our results emphasize the importance of continuous monitoring of survey KPI to ensure data quality throughout the survey.
AB - Health surveys constitute a relevant information source to access the population's health status. Given that survey errors can significantly influence estimates and invalidate study findings, it is crucial that the fieldwork progress is closely monitored to ensure data quality. The objective of this study was to describe the fieldwork monitoring conducted during the first Portuguese National Health Examination Survey (INSEF) regarding protocol deviations and key performance indicators (KPI). Methods: Data derived from interviewer observation and from the statistical quality control of selected KPI were used to monitor the four components of the INSEF survey (recruitment, physical examination, blood collection and health questionnaire). Survey KPI included response rate, average time distribution for procedures, distribution of the last digit in a specific measure, proportion of haemolysed blood samples and missing values. Results: Interviewer observation identified deviations from the established protocols, which were promptly corrected. During fieldwork monitoring through KPI, upon implementation of corrective measures, the participation rate increased 2.5-fold, and a 4.4-fold decrease in non-adherence to standardized survey procedures was observed in the average time distribution for blood pressure measurement. The proportion of measurements with the terminal digit of 0 or 5 decreased to 19.6 and 16.5%, respectively, after the pilot study. The proportion of haemolysed samples was at baseline level, below 2.5%. Missing data issues were minimized by promptly communicating them to the interviewer, who could recontact the participant and fill in the missing information. Discussion/Conclusion: Although the majority of the deviations from the established protocol occurred during the first weeks of the fieldwork, our results emphasize the importance of continuous monitoring of survey KPI to ensure data quality throughout the survey.
KW - Data quality
KW - Fieldwork monitoring
KW - Health examination survey
KW - Health information
KW - Interviewer observation
KW - Informação em saúde
KW - Qualidade dos dados
KW - Inquérito de saúde com exame físico
KW - · Monitorização da recolha de dados
KW - Observação do entrevistador
UR - http://www.scopus.com/inward/record.url?scp=85098222321&partnerID=8YFLogxK
U2 - 10.1159/000511576
DO - 10.1159/000511576
M3 - Article
AN - SCOPUS:85098222321
VL - 38
SP - 81
EP - 90
JO - Portuguese Journal of Public Health
JF - Portuguese Journal of Public Health
SN - 2504-3137
IS - 2
ER -
