414 Recruitment strategies for the health interview survey GEDA Fokus among people with selected citizenships: what works for whom?

OP 13: Research Methods, B304 (FCSH), September 3, 2025, 17:00 - 18:00 Aims In 2023, every fifth person in Germany had their own migration experience (19.3%). However, migrants and their descendants are not represented according to their proportion of the population within public health monitoring. Hence, analyses on health inequalities in the context of migration are hampered. To close this data gap, the health interview survey GEDA Fokus was conducted throughout Germany (11/2021-05/2022). Aim is to evaluate the recruitment strategies regarding the inclusion of specific sub-groups of selected citizenships. Methods Using register-based sampling, adults (18-79 years) with Croatian, Italian, Polish, Syrian or Turkish citizenship were randomly drawn out of residents’ registries of 99 cities and municipalities. Sample persons were sequentially invited to answer a bilingual web-based, followed by a bilingual paper-based questionnaire. In bigger cities, subsequently, home visits were conducted to realize a personal or telephone interview. Response rates (RR) were calculated according to standards of the American Association for Public Opinion Research, additionally, participation was analysed regarding the utilization of survey modes and languages. Results Overall, 6,038 people took part, the corresponding RR was 18.4%, ranging from 13.8% (Turkish citizenship) to 23.9% (Syrian citizenship). Home visits accounted for the largest increase in RR (+ 7.6%). During later recruitment stages, more participants with lower levels of education and income were included, as well as those with physical health impairments. Utilization of survey modes and languages varied by sociodemographic characteristics: participants aged ≥ 50 years preferred the paper-based questionnaire, those who recently immigrated more often used the translation. Conclusions Multiple contact attempts, including home visits, as well as offering different survey modes and languages increased the RR and eventually reduced non-response bias. To adequately represent a heterogeneous population within public health monitoring, it is essential to expand options of survey participation to make health surveys accessible for all people within a society.