Survey Research New Mexico Hispanics: Some Methodological Issues

A prevalence survey of respiratory diseases was conducted in Albuquerque, New Mexico, with the objective of explaining differing patterns of respiratory disease epidemiology in Hispanic and non-Hispanic whites (Anglos). The study population was selected at random from the 1978 R.L. Polk 22% of Hispanic males refused interview. Fewer Hispanics returned mailed questionnaires than responded to telephone interviewing. Spanish language was increasingly preferred as the respondent's age increased. Two methods of ethnic identification by surname (1980 Census List of Spanish Surnames and a computer program, GUESS (Generally Useful Ethnic Search System) were compared to the self-reported ethnicity of respondents. The GUESS Program was more sensitive than the census list, but the census list was more specific. The combination of both methods produced a 90% sensitivity and 97% specificity in males. Intermarriage reduced the accuracy in females.