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Collecting Saliva Samples by Mail

Etter, Jean-François ; Perneger, Thomas V. ; Ronchi, Anne

In: American Journal of Epidemiology, 1998, vol. 147, no. 2, p. 141-146

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    Titre
    • Collecting Saliva Samples by Mail
    Auteur
    • Etter, Jean-François. Institute of Social and Preventive Medicine, University of Geneva, Geneva, Switzerland
    • Perneger, Thomas V.. Institute of Social and Preventive Medicine, University of Geneva, Geneva, Switzerland
    • Ronchi, Anne. Institute of Social and Preventive Medicine, University of Geneva, Geneva, Switzerland
    Type de document
    • Postprint
    Identifiant OAI-PMH
    • oai:doc.rero.ch:302759
    Summary
    Collecting saliva samples by mail can serve numerous purposes in epidemiologic research. The objectives of this study were to assess what proportion of participants in a mail survey would provide a saliva sample and whether incentives could improve participation. In 1995, 2,994 students, faculty, and staff members of Geneva University, Geneva, Switzerland, were randomized to receive, together with a mailed questionnaire about smoking, a saliva vial, a ballpoint pen, the offer of a lottery, or any combination of these. After one mailing and a reminder letter, response rates were 52% among those who had been requested to provide saliva and 63% among controls (p <0.001). In the former group, most respondents (98%) provided a saliva sample. Incentives improved participation only among those who were asked to provide saliva (lottery: +11% response, p = 0.003; pen: +6% response, p = 0.1). The final participation, after up to three reminders, was 76% overall. The authors conclude that while the collection of saliva samples by mail is feasible it tends to decrease response rates. Am J Epidemiol 1998;147:141-6