The purpose of this study was to assess whether contact by mail via an introductory postcard would increase the response rate to a telephone survey in a selected population of 348 people 60 years and older. Of this group, 208 were sent a postcard introducing the study and informing them that someone would call in the next 1-2 weeks to conduct a telephone interview. The remaining sample of 140 did not receive the introductory postcard. Amongst the potential participants who were contacted and able to participate (n = 240), the response rate for completed interview was 58.0% for those sent a postcard and 42.3% for those who were not. The refusal rate was 25.3% (postcard sent) and 37.2% (not sent a postcard). When the outcome of contact is collapsed to two categories, 'agreed to participate' and 'refusal', the response rate to participate was 73.5% (sent a postcard) and 59.0% (not sent a postcard) (chi(2) 5.14, d.f. 1, sign. 0.023). The response rate amongst those who recall being sent a postcard rose to 86.0%. Whether agreeing to participate or refusing to be involved in the survey was dependent on being sent an introductory postcard. The conclusion is that mailing a postcard prior to the first telephone contact increases the participation rates of older persons in a telephone survey at very little extra cost (A$0.60 per person).
Objectives-To assess the eVectiveness of community/environmental interventions undertaken as part of the Child Pedestrian Injury Prevention Project (CPIPP). Setting-Three communities (local government areas) in the Perth metropolitan area, Western Australia. Methods-A quasiexperimental community intervention trial was undertaken over three years (1995-97). Three communities were assigned to either: a community/environmental road safety intervention and a school based road/ pedestrian safety education program (intervention group 1); a school based road/pedestrian safety education program only (intervention group 2); or to no road safety intervention (comparison group). Quantification of the various road safety community/environmental activities undertaken in each community during the trial was measured, and a cumulative community activity index developed. Estimates of the volume and speed of vehicular traYc were monitored over a two year period. Results-Greater road safety activity was observed in intervention group 1 compared with the other groups. A significant reduction in the volume of traYc on local access roads was also observed over the period of the trial in intervention group 1, but not in the remaining groups. Conclusions-The findings indicate that the various community/environmental interventions initiated in collaboration with CPIPP in intervention group 1 contributed, in part, to the observed reduction in the volume of traYc. A combination of community/environmental interventions and education are likely to reduce the rate of childhood pedestrian injury. (Injury Prevention 1999;5:26-30)
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