SUPPORTING STATEMENT B FOR:
SHORT FOLLOW-UP QUESTIONNAIRE 2008
IN THE PROSPECTIVE COHORT STUDY OF DIET AND CANCER IN MEMBERS OF THE AMERICAN ASSOCIATION OF RETIRED PERSONS:
THE NIH-AARP DIET AND HEALTH STUDY (NCI)
Arthur Schatzkin, M.D., Dr.P.H
Chief
Nutritional Epidemiology Branch
Division of Cancer Epidemiology and Genetics
National Cancer Institute/NIH
Executive Plaza South, Room 3040
Bethesda, MD 20892-7335
Voice: 301-594-2931
FAX: 301-496-6829
Email: schatzka@mail.nih.gov
TABLE OF CONTENTS
B. Collections of Information Employing Statistical Methods. 1
1. Respondent Universe and Sampling Methods 1
2. Procedures for the Collection of Information 1
3. Methods to Maximize Response Rates and Deal with Non-response 2
4. Tests of Procedures or Methods to be Undertaken 2
5. Individuals Consulted on Statistical Aspects & Individuals Collecting and/or Analyzing Data 2
B. Collections of Information Employing Statistical Methods
B.1. Respondent Universe and Sampling Methods
A total of 513,225 live, eligible participants for the questionnaire will be asked to complete the questionnaire. No sampling will be performed: 100% of the live cohort members will be asked to respond to the Short Questionnaire 2008. Collection of data from the complete cohort is desired so that longitudinal analyses can be performed, using data from more than one time point for each individual. It is expected that response rates to this questionnaire should be approximately 80% completion and return of the questionnaires from respondents.
The current cohort consists of approximately 60% males and 40% females. Approximately 2% of respondents self-report Hispanic or Latino ethnicity. Also, 94.5% report being White, 4% Black, 1.2% Asian, less than 1% American Indian/Alaska Native, and less than 1% Native Hawaiian or Other Pacific Islander. The numbers of participants of varying racial and ethnic identities have allowed the analysis of sub-populations for a variety of analyses (see Attachment 3).
B.2. Procedures for the Collection of Information
a. Survey Procedures.
Each participant in the study will be mailed a cover letter (Attachments 9-1 to 9-4), adjusted as appropriate for each mailing wave of the questionnaire as appropriate, along with the Short Questionnaire 2008 that will explain the purpose of the questionnaire to them, provide information about the confidentiality of their responses, and ask them to complete the questionnaire.
b. Rationale for Sample Size.
In 1995, the Nutritional Epidemiology Branch fielded the Prospective Study of Diet and Cancer in members of the American Association of Retired Persons (AARP) (OMB# 0925-0423). The objective of this research effort was to carry out a very large prospective cohort study of diet in relation to several major cancers, especially breast, prostate and colorectal malignancies. The cohort consisted of men and women members of AARP. A questionnaire was initially sent to 3.5 million AARP members who were 50 to 69 years of age, and who resided in the eight geographic areas selected for this study. The eligible cohort that is still alive now consists of 513,225 persons (of 566,402 still followed for cancer ascertainment and mortality in the cohort). Actual incidence rates for breast, colorectal, prostate, and non-Hodgkin’s lymphoma obtained from this cohort after 5 years of followup suggest that moderate relative risk can be detected at 90 percent power for four major dietary factors (fat, fiber, fruits, and vegetables, and red meat). As a result, we plan to conduct the proposed study with all current live cohort participants composed of 513,225 persons.
c. Quality Control. The contractor chosen for this study will establish and maintain quality control procedures to ensure standardization and a high level of quality of data collection and processing. The contractor will maintain a written log of all decisions that affect study design, conduct or analysis. The contractor will monitor performance of the data monitoring activities, especially with regard to response rates and completeness of acquired data.
B.3. Methods to Maximize Response Rates and Deal With Nonresponse
Our experience with the 1995 Baseline Questionnaire showed that better response and retention rates can be achieved through establishing a good rapport with the respondents by showing appreciation for their participation and by clearly describing what is being asked of each respondent as they move through the various stages of the study. Contact will include a comment expressing our sincere appreciation for the respondent’s contribution of time and effort to the study. Participants will continue to receive an annual newsletter called “Diet and Health Study News” that thanks participants for being part of the study and informs participants about the research findings that are published based on the data they provided. The newsletter also provides a link to the NIH-AARP Diet and Health Study website and information for receiving email updates. We project that 80% of the eligible 513,225 respondents will participate in this questionnaire.
B.4. Tests of Procedures or Methods to be Undertaken
Previous contact with study participants indicates that they are willing to answer questions regarding their health conditions and behaviors. The Short Questionnaire 2008 consists of a limited number of questions.
B.5. Individuals Consulted on Statistical Aspects and Individuals Collecting and/or Analyzing Data
National Cancer Institute investigators, statisticians, and Steering Committee members have reviewed the data collection plan. The data collected will be available for use in analyses that are proposed and approved in the future. No additional consultation is planned.
| File Type | application/msword |
| Author | Kerry Grace Morrissey |
| Last Modified By | Ann Truelove |
| File Modified | 2007-10-15 |
| File Created | 2007-10-15 |